SECTION ONE - HOLIDAY LORE
Candlemas: The Light Returns - Mike Nichols
Recipes for Imbolc - Gathered by Luna Willowsong
An Imbolc Project - Wendy Sheridan
Brideo'gas - Akasha
(Editors note: This is part of a file that
contains eight seasonal articles by Mike Nichols. They may be freely distributed provided
that the following conditions are met: (1) No fee is charged for their use and
distribution and no commercial use is made of them; (2) These files are not changed or
edited in any way without the author's permission; (3) This notice is not removed. An
article may be distributed as a separate file, provided that this notice is repeated at
the beginning of each such file. These articles are periodically updated by the author;
this version is current as of 9/28/88.)
Candlemas: The Light Returns
By Mike Nichols
It seems quite impossible that the holiday of Candlemas should be considered the
beginning of Spring. Here in the Heartland, February 2nd may see a blanket of snow
mantling the Mother. Or, if the snows have gone, you may be sure the days are filled
with drizzle, slush, and steel-grey skies -- the dreariest weather of the year. In
short, the perfect time for a Pagan Festival of Lights. And as for Spring, although
this may seem a tenuous beginning, all the little buds, flowers and leaves will have
arrived on schedule before Spring runs its course to Beltane.
'Candlemas' is the Christianized name for the holiday, of course. The older Pagan names
were Imbolc and Oimelc. 'Imbolc' means, literally, 'in the belly' (of the Mother). For
in the womb of Mother Earth, hidden from our mundane sight but sensed by a keener vision
, there are stirrings. The seed that was planted in her womb at the solstice is
quickening and the new year grows. 'Oimelc' means 'milk of ewes', for it is also lambing
season.
The holiday is also called 'Brigit's Day', in honor of the great Irish Goddess Brigit.
At her shrine, the ancient Irish capitol of Kildare, a group of 19 priestesses (no men
allowed) kept a perpetual flame burning in her honor. She was considered a goddess of
fire, patroness of smithcraft, poetry and healing (especially the healing touch of
midwifery). This tripartite symbolism was occasionally expressed by saying that Brigit
had two sisters, also named Brigit. (Incidentally, another form of the name Brigit is
Bride, and it is thus She bestows her special patronage on any woman about to be married
or handfasted, the woman being called 'bride' in her honor.)
The Roman Catholic Church could not very easily call the Great Goddess of Ireland a
demon, so they canonized her instead. Henceforth, she would be 'Saint' Brigit, patron
SAINT of smithcraft, poetry, and healing. They 'explained' this by telling the Irish
peasants that Brigit was 'really' an early Christian missionary sent to the Emerald
Isle, and that the miracles she performed there 'misled' the common people into
believing that she was a goddess. For some reason, the Irish swallowed this. (There is
no limit to what the Irish imagination can convince itself of. For example, they also
came to believe that Brigit was the 'foster-mother' of Jesus, giving no thought to the
implausibility of Jesus having spent his boyhood in Ireland!)
Brigit's holiday was chiefly marked by the kindling of sacred fires, since she symbolized
the fire of birth and healing, the fire of the forge, and the fire of poetic inspiration.
Bonfires were lighted on the beacon tors, and chandlers celebrated their special
holiday. The Roman Church was quick to confiscate this symbolism as well, using
'Candlemas' as the day to bless all the church candles that would be used for the coming
liturgical year. (Catholics will be reminded that the following day, St. Blaise's Day,
is remembered for using the newly-blessed candles to bless the throats of parishioners,
keeping them from colds, flu, sore throats, etc.)
The Catholic Church, never one to refrain from piling holiday upon holiday, also called
it the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary. (It is surprising how many
of the old Pagan holidays were converted to Maryan Feasts.) The symbol of the
Purification may seem a little obscure to modern readers, but it has to do with the old
custom of 'churching women'. It was believed that women were impure for six weeks after
giving birth. And since Mary gave birth at the winter solstice, she wouldn't be purified
until February 2nd. In Pagan symbolism, this might be re-translated as when the Great
Mother once again becomes the Young Maiden Goddess.
Today, 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 (i.e., until the next old holiday, Lady Day). This custom is
ancient. An old British rhyme tells us that 'If Candlemas Day be bright and clear,
there'll be two winters in the year.' Actually, all of the cross-quarter days can be
used as 'inverse' weather predictors, whereas the quarter-days are used as 'direct'
weather predictors.
Like the other High Holidays or Great Sabbats of the Witches' year, Candlemas is
sometimes celebrated on it's alternate date, astrologically determined by the sun's
reaching 15-degrees Aquarius, or Candlemas Old Style (in 1988, February 3rd, at 9:03 am
CST). Another holiday that gets mixed up in this is Valentine's Day. Ozark folklorist
Vance Randolf makes this quite clear by noting that the old-timers used to celebrate
Groundhog's Day on February 14th. This same displacement is evident in Eastern Orthodox
Christianity as well. Their habit of celebrating the birth of Jesus on January 6th, with
a similar post-dated shift in the six-week period that follows it, puts the Feast of the
Purification of Mary on February 14th. It is amazing to think that the same confusion
and lateral displacement of one of the old folk holidays can be seen from the Russian
steppes to the Ozark hills, but such seems to be the case!
Incidentally, there is speculation among linguistic scholars that the vary name of
'Valentine' has Pagan origins. It seems that it was customary for French peasants of the
Middle Ages to pronounce a 'g' as a 'v'. Consequently, the original term may have been
the French 'galantine', which yields the English word 'gallant'. The word originally
refers to a dashing young man known for his 'affaires d'amour', a true galaunt. The
usual associations of V(G)alantine's Day make much more sense in this light than their
vague connection to a legendary 'St. Valentine' can produce. Indeed, the Church has
always found it rather difficult to explain this nebulous saint's connection to the
secular pleasures of flirtation and courtly love.
For modern Witches, Candlemas O.S. may then be seen as the Pagan version of Valentine's
Day, with a de-emphasis of 'hearts and flowers' and an appropriate re-emphasis of Pagan
carnal frivolity. This also re-aligns the holiday with the ancient Roman
Lupercalia, a
fertility festival held at this time, in which the priests of Pan ran through the
streets of Rome whacking young women with goatskin thongs to make them fertile. The
women seemed to enjoy the attention and often stripped in order to afford better
targets.
One of the nicest folk-customs still practiced in many countries, and especially by
Witches in the British Isles and parts of the U.S., is to place a lighted candle in each
and every window of the house, beginning at sundown on Candlemas Eve (February 1st),
allowing them to continue burning until sunrise. Make sure that such candles are well
seated against tipping and guarded from nearby curtains, etc. What a cheery sight it is
on this cold, bleak and dreary night to see house after house with candle-lit windows!
And, of course, if you are your Coven's chandler, or if you just happen to like making
candles, Candlemas Day is THE day for doing it. Some Covens hold candle-making parties
and try to make and bless all the candles they'll be using for the whole year on this
day.
Other customs of the holiday include weaving 'Brigit's crosses' from straw or wheat to
hang around the house for protection, performing rites of spiritual cleansing and
purification, making 'Brigit's beds' to ensure fertility of mind and spirit (and body,
if desired), and making Crowns of Light (i.e. of candles) for the High Priestess to wear
for the Candlemas Circle, similar to those worn on St. Lucy's Day in Scandinavian
countries. All in all, this Pagan Festival of Lights, sacred to the young Maiden
Goddess, is one of the most beautiful and poetic of the year.
(Editors note: This is part of a file that contains eight seasonal articles by Mike
Nichols. They may be freely distributed provided that the following conditions are met:
(1) No fee is charged for their use and distribution and no commercial use is made of
them; (2) These files are not changed or edited in any way without the author's
permission; (3) This notice is not removed. An article may be distributed as a separate
file, provided that this notice is repeated at the beginning of each such file. These
articles are periodically updated by the author; this version is current as of
9/28/88.)
Recipes for Imbolc
Gathered by Luna Willowsong
Traditional foods for the Imbolc celebration include those made with dairy products,
seeds, (to symbolize growth), raisins (a fruit of the Sun God), pork, poultry, or lamb,
with sides of potatoes, cabbage, onions, and garlic. Imbolc is the mid-point of the dark
half of the year, and though stored foods are running low, it is a celebration of
renewal and preparation for Spring.
********************************
BAKED CUSTARD WITH GINGER
3 Tablespoons Brown Sugar
3/4 teaspoon Finely Grated Fresh Ginger
3 large Eggs, lightly beaten
2 1/2 cups Milk
1/3 cup Granulated Sugar
1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
1/4 teaspoon Cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon Salt
1/4 teaspoon Nutmeg
Mix brown sugar with ginger and divide evenly onto bottoms of 6 buttered individual
custard cups or ramekins. In medium mixing bowl, blend eggs with milk, sugar, vanilla
and seasonings. Pour evenly into prepared custard cups. Place cups in a large pan, then
fill with hot water to come halfway up sides of cups.
Bake at 350 F. oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until knife inserted near edge comes out
clean. Remove cups from the pan. Run knife around edges to loosen. Place serving plate
over top of cup and carefully invert custard onto plate. Serve warm or cover, chill and
serve cold.
********************************
CANNARICULI (HONEY COOKIES)
4 cups Flour
1 cup Marsala Wine
2 Large Eggs
4 teaspoons Sugar
1 pinch Salt
Oil for deep frying
Honey
Make a well in flour in mixing bowl or on work surface. Add wine, eggs, sugar, and salt.
Mix well, until thoroughly blended. Knead dough vigorously until smooth and glossy. If
using processor, continue mixing for at least 1 minutes after ingredients are combined.
Roll dough to an 1/8" thickness or less. Cut dough into 2" squares, starting with 1
corner, roll each square of dough loosely on the diagonal to form pastry roll about the
thickness of a pencil. Meanwhile, heat oil for deep frying.
Fry pastries by batches in hot oil until golden brown, being careful not to crowd pan.
Use a slotted spoon to remove fried pastries from oil. Drain on paper towels. Transfer
to serving platter. Drizzle honey over top or dip Cannariculi into honey.
Makes 4 to 5 dozen
*****************************************************
LIEBKUCHEN (Honey Cakes)
1 cup margarine
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 cup honey
1 cup sour milk* (see below)
2 Tablespoons vinegar
6 cup flour
1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon mace
1 Tablespoon ground cinnamon
Prepare sour milk and mix dry ingredients. Set both aside. Cream margarine and sugar,
add egg, beat until light. Add honey, sour milk and vinegar. Mix thoroughly. Chill one
hour. Roll out to 1/4" thickness. Cut into 2"x3" rectangles and place on buttered cookie
sheets.
Bake at 375° for 6 minutes. Frost with plain vanilla frosting.
* For sour milk, add 1 T. vinegar to 1 c. milk and let stand for 10 minutes.
**************************************************************
NOODLE KUCHEN
7 eggs
1 cup sugar
16 ounces cottage cheese
2 cups sour cream
2 cups milk
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 cup golden raisins
1/2 cup butter
1 pound broad egg noodles, cooked
Topping:
1/4 cup crushed cornflakes
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/4 cup sugar
sour cream to garnish
Mix eggs and sugar. Add cottage cheese, sour cream, milk, vanilla, and raisins. In
separate bowl, add butter to warm noodles, stirring until melted. Combine noodles with
cottage cheese mixture. Pour into 9 x 13 glass pan. Refrigerate overnight. Preheat oven
to 350. To make topping, combine cornflakes, cinnamon, and sugar. Sprinkle over top of
kugel.
Bake 1 hour. Let dish set for about 5 minutes before serving. Cut
into squares and garnish with sour cream.
**************************************************
IRISH SCONES
16 ounces Self-Rising Flour
4 ounces Margarine
3 ounces Sugar
Milk
2 Eggs
5 ounces Raisins or currants
1 teaspoon Baking Powder
Mix flour and margarine together with your fingers until the mixture is fine; add sugar,
raisins and baking powder. Beat eggs and add. Pour in enough milk to make mixture into a
sticky dough (not too wet). Lift out onto a floured board and flatten out to 1-1/2" in
thickness and cut out scones with a biscuit cutter. Place 6 on a greased baking sheet
and brush tops with a little beaten egg (this helps them to brown).
Bake 15 minutes in preheated 400~ oven.
******************************************************************
Imbolc Chili
4 cups cooked beans
1 cup bulgur wheat
1 cup tomato juice
1 can diced tomatoes
1 can tomato paste
1 diced chili pepper
1 diced (medium) onion
3 tbsp chili powder
3 tbsp cumin powder
1 bay leaf
6 cloves of garlic
1 shot good scotch
1 bottle good beer
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 tbsp olive oil
Saute onion and pepper in olive oil until onion is translucent. Add cumin and chili
powder, saute for 5 minutes. Add canned tomatos and liquid, and tomato paste. In another
pot, heat tomato juice to boiling, add bulgur wheat and let stand 5 minutes. Meanwhile,
combine all other ingredients in a large pot. Add wheat, and simmer for 30 minutes.
*******************************************************
Persephone Awakens Breakfast Cakes
2 cups flour
2 Carrots, grated
1/2 cup raisins
1 green apple, peeled, cored, grated
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup almonds, sliced
2 tsp. baking soda
3 eggs
2 tsp. cinnamon
2/3 cup vegetable oil
1/2 tsp. salt
2tsp.vanilla
Soak raisins in hot water, in a covered bowl, for 30 minutes. Drain thoroughly. Preheat
oven to 350 degrees. In a large non-metal bowl, mix flour, soda, cinnamon, and salt.
Stir in carrots, raisins, apple, and almonds. In a separate bowl, beat eggs, oil, and
vanilla until well blended. Stir egg mixture in to the flour mixture until just wet.
Grease muffin pan with a little butter or use cupcake/muffin cups. Divide the batter
into the cups and bake for 20-22 minutes, or until golden brown. Cool for 5 minutes
before removing from pan. Makes 8 servings.
***************************************************
Imbolc Feast Lamb Stew
2- 1/2 lb. lamb neck chops
1 tbs. lamb fat
4 medium onions
1 tbs. butter/margarine
4 medium carrots
2 1/2 cups water
4 medium potatoes
1 tbs. parsley, chopped
1 tsp. each salt & pepper
1 tbs. chives, chopped
Don't let the butcher trim the fat off of the lamb chops. Shred some of the excess fat
and cook it down in a large pot or Dutch-oven. Peel the onions, carrots, and potatoes.
Cut the onions and carrots into quarters, and put all the vegetables aside. Cut the
meat into8 pieces, and trim away the rest of the excess fat. The bones need not be
removed. Place the meat in the hot fat and brown. Repeat with the onions and carrots.
Add water, salt, and pepper carefully. Put whole potatoes on top. Cover pot and simmer
gently until meat is cooked, approx. 2 hours. Remove from heat. Pour off the cooking
liquid into a separate sauce pan, allow to cool for a few minutes, skim off grease, and
reheat. Add butter, chives, and parsley to the reheated liquid in the sauce pan. Pour
heated liquid back over the stew.
Serve hot. Makes 4-6 servings.
*******************************
Brideo'gas
By Akasha, Herne and The Celtic Connection
Materials:
1-peice Wooden Clothespin.
Red, Yellow, or Brown Yarn.
1 White Pipe Cleaner.
Several Scraps of White Material.
Black and Red Markers.
Scissors.
Glue.
Gold Glitter.
Children will enjoy making these little Bride images that can be used later as an alter
decoration. Take a scrap of white material, (silk, satin, cotton, etc.), and cut out a
6" circle. In the center of the circle cut a hole large enough to poke the "head" of the
clothespin through. Fold the circle in half and cut along the fold from both perimeters
to the center hole, leaving approx. 1/8 inch between each slit and center hole. Dab
"neck" of clothespin with a very small amount of glue, and push clothespin "head" up
through the center hole in the material. Cut appropriate length of pipe cleaner to make
arms and slide up through the slit in the clothespin until it is pushed up to the end of
the slits on both sides of the material.
Gather the material tight around the clothespin just under the arms, and tie off with a
small piece of string or yarn. Glue a couple of short pieces of yarn to the clothespin
head and make eyes and mouth with markers. Finish with dabs of glue and gold glitter
around the white wedding dress. A bridal veil glued to the yarn hair is optional.
Explain to the children how the Goddess is a sacred bride, pure and renewed, waiting to
be re-united with her consort the God.
Bride's Bed
Materials:
A Box.
Colored Construction Paper.
White, Yellow, Green, and Red Tissue Paper.
White Flowers or Cotton Balls.
Glue.
Paint Brush.
Crayons.
Scissors.
Glitter.
This is a great little activity for the smaller children in the household, and they two
can boast of helping with your alter decor. Paint one side of the box at a time with a
bit of glue, not too thick, just enough to adhere green tissue paper. Cover the entire
outside of the box with the green tissue paper. Cut a 2" wide strip of colored
construction paper the length of the sheet (11"/14"). Let the child draw symbols and
pictures that reminds them of Spring, the Goddess, brides, and weddings on the strip.
Cut the white and yellow tissue paper into 2" diameter circles. While you are doing
this, allow the child to draw pictures and symbols on the box with glue, and sprinkle
with glitter. Place finger in the middle of a tissue square and draw up tissue around
finger. Give a slight twist to crinkle paper into a flower shape. Remove finger and
adhere to box and decorated construction paper strip with a dab of glue. Remember to
leave about 1-1/2 inches on each end of strip. Attach these ends to the inside of the
box with some glue. Let dry. Fill with white flowers or cotton balls. Tell story to
children of how the Maiden is a Bride and that the Earth is her Bride's Bed.
Priapic Wand
Materials:
Small Tree Branch.
Acorn.
Thin Brown String or Thread.
Yellow, Green, and Gold 1/4" Ribbon.
Small Gold/Silver Jingle Bells.
Children will love the sound of this magical wand as they walk about
pointing and shaking it at plants and trees, invoking them to wake up from Winter's
sleep to witness the union of the Bride and the Lord of the Forest. Select a small
branch about 1/2" to 3/4" in diameter. Cut top end flat. Approx. 1/2" below top score a
groove (parents only) with a sharp knife. Take 1' long piece of string/thread and tie in
groove. Take another 1' piece of thread and tie in groove on opposite side of branch.
Place acorn at top of branch (flat end) and adhere with some glue. Now pull the string
up over the cap and wind once around acorn. Repeat with all 3 other pieces of string.
Pull strings back down to the groove in the branch and tie off. This will hold the acorn
in place. Decorate the branch by wrapping it with the ribbons, leaving enough length at
top for streamers. Tie gold/silver jingle bells to the ends of the ribbons. For smaller
children, thread the bells onto the ribbon while wrapping the branch. Tell the children
about how the acorn-wand is a symbol of the Lord of the Forest, and how this magical
wand helps the sleeping plants and animals wake up and prepare for Spring.
Brighid's Crosses
Materials:
Dried Wheat Stalks.
Brown Thread.
These crosses were exchanged as symbols of protection. They are easy to make and not at
all time consuming. Take eight stalks with sheaves still attached. Place four stalks on
flat surface with two sheaves at the top and two sheaves at the bottom. Measure approx.
6" of stalk between the sets of sheaves and cut off excess. Tie all four stalks together
with the brown thread, first under the top sheaves, then above the bottom sheaves. Cut
off excess thread. Repeat this procedure with the other four stalks, shortening the
length between the sheaves to 4". Carefully separate the first set of stalks (two in
front and two in back) and slip the second set through approx. 1" from the bottom of the
top sheaves. Tie some thread in a knot just under the arms of the cross. Take the excess
ends and diagonally wrap the thread over the opposite corresponding arm and back to the
knot. Tie off in back and cut off excess ends. Let the children hand these Brighid's
Crosses out to guests.
Bride's Bouquet Sachets
Materials:
Imbolic Potpourri.
1 Yard White Netting Material.
Yellow and Pink 1/8" width Ribbon.
Scissors.
These sachets can be put in the children's clothing drawers or in rooms of the house
that you'd like to smell of Imbolc even after the Sabbat is over. Potpourri is made with
1/2 cup dried basil, 1/2 cup dried chopped bay leaves, 1 cup dried Heather flowers, 1
cup dried Violets, 1 cup dried white or pink rose buds. Blend together in non-metal
bowl. Cut netting material into 4"x4" squares. Lay out squares on a flat surface. Place
1 heaping tablespoon of potpourri in the middle of each square. Pull up all the corners
to the middle of the potpourri and gather the excess material until potpourri is caught
in a "bag". Give bag on twist to the right and tie off with yellow or pink ribbon. Use
enough ribbon to make a small bow in the front of the sachet. Tell children how these
sachets were exchanged as symbols of good luck and fertility.
Pentacle Candle Wheel (for the older kids)
Materials:
Molding Clay.
Pencil.
Ruler.
13- 4" White Stick Candles (1/4" diameter).
Paints (optional).
This Pentacle Candle Wheel is the perfect accessory to any Imbolc altar. Use enough clay
to roll out flat with a rolling pin and cut out a circle 18" in diameter and 1/2" thick.
Roll excess clay into rope, 1/4" in diameter and long enough to boarder the wheel base.
Wet the clay rope enough to stick to base. This will contain any wax that drips from the
burning candles. Score the image of the pentacle into the wheel base with the pencil,
using the ruler to make straight lines. The Pentacle's points should be approx. 1/2"
away from the border. Take one of the white candles and press bottom slightly (approx.
1/4" ) into each Pentacle point, each cross point (inner angles of the Pentacle) and
three depressions in a pyramid shape in the top Pentacle triangle ray. Now allow the
clay to dry and harden. The Pentacle Candle Wheel can be painted if desired after dried.
Place candles in each of the depressions and place in the center of the Imbolc altar.
Remember that the Candle Wheel is the symbol of the light that ensues from the union of
the Bride and her consort, the Lord of the Forest.
Maiden's Chant
Awake sleeping Maiden, Thy consort is close, He comes through the woods for thee. I
light your candles and pierce the darkness Your re-union for all to see.
--Akasha
Imbolc Prayer
We've made it to the mid-point of the Winter dark and bleak. From this day on the Sun
will climb and thaw the ground and creeks. Bless us now, oh Maiden fair, and keep us in
your loving care. Showing signs of new life everywhere as you awaken from your sleep.
--Akasha
Adapted by Akasha Ap Emrys To share with all her friends and those who are of like mind.
Copyright © 1997-99 Akasha, Herne and The Celtic Connection http://www.wicca.com. All
rights reserved.
