The Return of the Light

this article originally appeared in The Fellowship Journal of UUFLB in February of 2005.

February. Bleak dreary February. It’s cold, days and nights can be bitterly windy, and it sleets and snows sometimes. No one really likes February. Humans are diurnal creatures, creatures of light. We sometimes don’t function well in the dark and cold.

But with February, comes Imbolc (pronounced “Im-bulk”), Imbolg, or Oimelc, a celebration of the return of light, which is usually observed on February 2^nd. It’s also called Candlemas, and Groundhog Day. It could also be called Midwinter, as it is halfway between Winter Solstice (Yule) and Spring Equinox (Ostara). Imbolc literally means “in the belly,” where the seeds, which will soon be pushing their way up through the soil as plants, are stirring in the womb of Mother Earth.

Mike Nichols, writing a web article for The Witches’ Sabbats, says “[t]oday, this holiday is chiefly connected to weather lore. Even our American folk-calendar keeps the tradition of ‘Groundhog’s Day,’ a day to predict the coming weather, telling us that if the Groundhog sees his shadow, there will be ‘six more weeks’ of bad weather...This custom is ancient. An old British rhyme tells us that

‘If Candlemas Day be fair and bright

Winter will have another flight;

If on Candlemas Day be shower and rain,

Winter is gone, and will not come again.’” (author of poem Unknown, compiled by StormWing). Another source (The Old Ways: Candlemas) attributes this poem to a Medieval nursery rhyme.

The Goddess is in her aspect of Maiden, most commonly associated with the Irish Goddess Brigit (pronounced “Breed”), with the coming of Spring. She can be honored with corn dollies, candles, and flowers. As the days grow longer, flowers and plants will begin to emerge as the days do in fact grow longer. In many places, the crocus flower is one of the first to pop up through the snow in this harsh season. Buds will emerge on trees and bushes, birds will start to return to the trees. Lights can be turned on in each room of the house – even for just a moment – or candles can be lit and placed in each room to honor the re-birth of the Sun. Imbolc also symbolizes purity, growth and renewal; and dispensing of the old and making way for the new.

One of the rituals I do for Imbolc starts at Yule. As part of my Winter/Christmas/Yuletide decorations, I wrap my front door with wintry or festive looking wrapping paper, and hang snowflakes and snowmen on it. The top two-thirds of my door is mostly window, and the wrapping paper tends to be dark and shut out the winter light. On Imbolc morning, after carefully setting aside my snowflakes and snowmen, I gleefully rip off the wrapping paper and let the light pour through the windows as the light returns to the world.

Now is also a time to start your spring cleaning. It’s a time to start restocking your physical pantry of herbs, spices, and ingredients, mundane or otherwise. It’s also a time restock your spiritual pantry, re-energize or rededicate your Self, and make plans for the future: what would you like to see come to fruition in this year ahead? What seedlings and buds of your goals are starting to emerge from the winter’s frost?

See you Sunday,

Trys

Sources:

* Holidays, by Akasha: The Celtic Connection

* Imbolc Lore, Researched and Compiled by StormWing: 13 Moons

uploaded 11 feb 05

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