IMBOLC - FEBRUARY 2/groundhogsday  

Winter fights valiantly to hold the land. The crisp snows of January
have turned to storms of sleet, and the Earth and the sky are gray,
leaden, and heavy with the cold. But here and there, scattered like
jewels inthe sodden grass and the frozen garden, the first slender
tips of daffodils start up toward the pale, growing Sun, and
something in us stirs as well, as life pulses unseen beneath the
still-slumbering ground.

This is Imbolic, known also as Imbolg, Candlemas, the Festival of
Brigid (pronounced Breed), and the Feast of Lights. The word Imbolc
means "in the belly," or in the womb of Mother Earth, as well as "in
milk," which refers to ewes coming into milk for the first lambs of
the season.

This Sabbat marks the return of spring, even as winter continues it's
reign. In ancient times, people honored the Goddess Brigid in her
guise as the waiting bride of the youthful Sun God. A modern
tradition at this Sabbat is "Groundhog's Day," based on an old
British rhyme that says, "If Candlemas Day be bright and clear,
there'll be two winters in the year."

Imbolic is a time of cleansing and purification, for discarding
outworn things or the passing year in preparation for the warm spring
days ahead and to make room in our lives for the Earths's new
bounty. Rites of initiation and consecration of altars and ritual
tools are often conducted at this Sabbat.

Candle wreaths or wheels are traditional, as the Sun is seen as a
candle flame at Imbolic, compared to the balefire of power at
Midsummer. Grain dollies are representative of the Goddess Bride,
and wishing wells and still, deep pools are the domain of the Goddess
this day. Lavender, white, silver, adn red are traditional colors;
amethyst adn quartz crystals are symbolic as well.

The customs of Imbolc include ritual "spring cleaning" of the house,
to banish the last vastiges of winter and hasten the growing days.
Use lavender and rosemary in a pot of boiling water to wash floors
and walls, vinegar and mugwort for windows and mirrors. Burn sage to
cleanse the psychic energies, and replace old protection and
prosperity charms.

Cleans your body with a ritual bath scented with lavender, and as you
soak, meditate to clear your mind and heart of any thoughts or
emotions that no longer serve you. Make handipped candles, write
Goddess-inspired poetry, paint, make a collage, or do any other hands-
on craft to symbolize the germination of life and ideas. Wish upon a
coin or a crystal, then throw it into a still body of deep water and
ask spirits to bless and guard your desires until they manifest.

Just before Sunset, turn off all the lights in the house. With a
single white candle burning to represent Brighid, Knock three times
on the front door and invite the Goddess to enter, asking that she
bestow health, success, abundance, and love upon everyone in the
house. Then slowly begin turning on the lights, moving room to room,
until every light in the house is on