Happy Imbolc, Happy Candlemass, Happy St Brigid's Time!

First day of Spring and all that :-)

Of old it's called Candlemass and Imbolc. Some say ‘Imbolc’ comes from old Irish meaning ‘in the belly’ or ‘Oimelc' meaning ‘ewe’s milk’ the start of the lambing season. Brigid herself has the attributes of brightness. A wondrous bard, healer, and blacksmith /crafter, fire is sacred to her, so light your candle. Sacred springs/wells are also places of Brigid's blessing. Straw crosses, straw maidens, straw nests (you make one very neatly for her and place it by your hearth, and tell her your wish. And if you come down next morning to find the little nest disturbed, it means she lay there a while and will grant your wish!)*

R is so ill I had to go get some stuff for him, and through the woods I saw... a roe deer by itself very young and lovely, so dark I almost missed it. It feels like a sign, and it's just as lovely if it's no sign.

I shall take the young roe as my symbol for this Spring.

*Of course, this requires a house without cats.