Candlemas, Camellias, and Cabbage
01-Feb-07
The first days of February can be much more celebratory than the dreary Ground Hog’s Day usually recognized at this cross quarter of the earth’s cycle. Candlemas, celebrated on February 1 or 2, marks half way between Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox, opposite of Lammas as the wheel turns. Candlemas, considered sacred to women and the Goddess of Love by early Romans, was celebrated among the Celts as the Feast of Imbolg. Candlemas featured celebrations of fire, love, and taking omens to predict the new growing season (thus, the currently observed Ground Hog’s Day).
An old rhyme said:
“If Candlemas Day be fair and bright, Winter will have another flight: If Candlemas Day be shower and rain, Winter is gone and will not come again” (Hazlitt, W. Carew).
The passionate fires of Candlemas… (more…)