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LiberalEsto

(22,845 posts)
10. And some info about how Feb. 2 was celebrated in Estonia
Fri Feb 3, 2012, 12:22 PM
Feb 2012

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.


Recommendations

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Imbolc blessings to you all [View all] LiberalEsto Feb 2012 OP
Thank you, LiberalEsto! and to you! Habibi Feb 2012 #1
For dummies, could you esplain? kimmerspixelated Feb 2012 #2
Imbolc is an old Gaelic word that means "in the belly" LiberalEsto Feb 2012 #3
Wow, cool! kimmerspixelated Feb 2012 #4
Thank you LE! magical thyme Feb 2012 #5
Thank you Celebration Feb 2012 #6
Bright blessings to everyone here as well! nt Still Blue in PDX Feb 2012 #7
And Imbolc blessings right back attcha Liberal Esto!!! Howler Feb 2012 #8
Here's more about Imbolc from Wikipedia LiberalEsto Feb 2012 #9
And some info about how Feb. 2 was celebrated in Estonia LiberalEsto Feb 2012 #10
OHHHHHHHHHH! I like this holiday!!!!!!!!1 Howler Feb 2012 #11
Latest Discussions»Culture Forums»Astrology, Spirituality & Alternative Healing»Imbolc blessings to you a...»Reply #10