Imbolc

[smokingboot]

...and for once it really is cold enough, though very green for candlemass. Not hard to sympathise with struggling ewes and early born lambs. A friend posted photos of an imbolc ritual which occurred in the middle of London. It looked very pretty, white veils,white candles, smiling faces: I felt nothing for it, except perhaps a little chuckle at the goddess taking selfies. Why not?

While there is much that is beautiful in Wicca, I often suspect the distillation of saints, deities and supernatural beings into two camps - Goddess and God - further split down into three each, Maiden-Mother-Crone and Green Man-Sun King-Lord of the Dead is arbitrary and limited. The deep of winter into spring has strange strong connections to girls who bring light; St Lucy's day in December is still celebrated with little girls white gowned and candle-crowned; Lucy = Luce, from the latin 'Lux' meaning'light'. The goddess/saint of candlemass is Brighid 'fiery arrow,' who blesses bards, blacksmiths and healers. What is important to me about these celebrations is that they are not about women in the context of how men can approach them sexually. It's too early for the green man to be around, never mind with his pants down.

But as a celebration of life determined even at its most delicate, even in the coldest weather, there is something lovely about this festival. I'll light a candle for Brighid tonight, and be thankful I'm not out in the cold. As to what is being born right now, out there in the fields or in the mind and heart, I'll consider that too.