Imbolc blessings to you all

[LiberalEsto]

May the bright fire of Brigid inspire creativity and wisdom in the year ahead.

[Habibi]

1. Thank you, LiberalEsto! and to you!

I am slowly (very slowly) reconnecting with some old pagan roots; it's good to be reminded of the holidays. I lurve this group.

[kimmerspixelated]

2. For dummies, could you esplain?

I'm ignorant about this. But thanks!

[LiberalEsto]

3. Imbolc is an old Gaelic word that means "in the belly"

It refers to ewes and cows that will soon be giving birth and starting to lactate.

Imbolc is one of the four great festivals of the Wheel of the Year among the ancient Celtic peoples. The others are Beltane (May 1), Lammas, (August 1) and Samhain (November 1). It is also known as the Feast of the Goddess Brigid (pronounced Breed), who was the goddess of wisdom, poetry, smithcraft, fire and water wells. One Imbolc custom in pagan Ireland involved decorating wells in Brigid's honor.

Imbolc is the time when days have grown visibly longer since Yule, and the light grows stronger. The first birds of spring will soon be returning. Many contemporary pagans and Wiccans celebrate this day.

Here's more information from Witchvox, a popular website for witches and pagans

http://www.witchvox.com/va/dt_va.html?a=usma&c=holidays&id=2635

[kimmerspixelated]

4. Wow, cool!

Thanks!

[magical thyme]

5. Thank you LE!

back at ya and thank you for the reminder and the blessing

[Celebration]

6. Thank you

I can use some of that! Back at you..........

I am not a Pagan but I sure have Brigid's cross over one of my doors, where my Christian, but Irish mom told me to put it!

I didn't even know it was Bridgid's cross until Morning Glow posted a photo.

[Still Blue in PDX]

7. Bright blessings to everyone here as well! nt

[Howler]

8. And Imbolc blessings right back attcha Liberal Esto!!!

How cool! and thanks for the info on the Pagan High holy days! I have much respect for the Pagan Brothers and sisters!

[LiberalEsto]

9. Here's more about Imbolc from Wikipedia

for you and other interested ASAH members:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imbolc

[LiberalEsto]

10. And some info about how Feb. 2 was celebrated in Estonia

These are my translations

2. veebruar on Küünla-maarjapäev
Feb. 2 is Candle-Mary's Day

Küünlapäev oli rahvakalendris tähtis päev - kesktalve lõpu ja kevadtalve alguse tähis

Candle-day was an important day in the folk calendar, marking the end of midwinter and the start of sping-winter.

Öeldi, et karu keerab küünlapäeval pesas teist külge, külma süda läheb lõhki ja kaaren paneb esimese pesapalgi juba paigale.

It was said that on Candle-Day the bear turns on his other side in his nest, that the heart of the cold is broken, and the magpie starts building its nest.

... küünlapäev on esimene suurem naistepüha - siis käisid naised külas ja kõrtsis, mehed tegid kodus naiste töö.

Candle-Day was the first great women's festival, when women went visiting and to pubs, while the men did the women's work at home.

Oluline oli küünlapuna ehk naistepuna (punast värvi joogi - näiteks jõhvikamorsi) joomine, mis pidi tagama kena punapõskse väljanägemise.

Essential to the celebration was drinking Candle-Red or Women's-Red (a drink dyed red, usually with currant juice), which gave the women rosy cheeks.


I've read elsewhere that in the past, the celebratory beverage was originally dyed red with flowers from a variety of St. John's Wort that women gathered at the summer solstice. It makes me wonder if the anti-depressant effect of the St. John's Wort was used as a cure for wintertime blues.

At any rate it sounds like a wonderful holiday for women. Maybe it needs to be revived.

[Howler]

11. OHHHHHHHHHH! I like this holiday!!!!!!!!1

Hell Yeah! We should revive this!!!!! LOL!
We are going to go and see Christopher Titus on Saturday night! I will drink red wine to alighn with this celebration!

I don't get out of the house very often So I will enjoy slippen my leash for an evening full of laughter!!!

Thank You LiberalEsto!!!......Hey I can try to pronounce those translations has a sobriety test!!!! LOL!