Imbolc or Candlemas

When I first stumbled into paganism and went overwhelmed by the many Sabbaths.. most of which I could relate...But Imbolc was totally new (see post from last year). But somehow this year it all make sense. It's as if the wheel of the year is now complete for me and can now start to spin without making a weird sound on Feb 2 or Aug 1st. I follow blogs from all kinds of blogspheres and I love how my favourite two, let's call them pagans and natural parenting blogs (not to say Waldorf) gets very similar. As I removed my permanent altar from lack of place, I'm itching to having it back AND install a nature table for my littlies. In this second floor apartment, I can wait to have at least a little bit of green of our own for Mariann to run.

At first it seemed weird to start thinking of springtime when I know there's still 2 months of cold weather ahead. One year we celebrated a marriage on a spring equinox in a snow storm.

Today was my mom's birthday. It's Papa's on Friday and my FIL the day after that. They went 7min close to have the same birth date!

Imbolc is one reason more to celebrate life. Life outdoor that is still sleeping again for sometimes. Life indoor; all that painting and modelling and crafting and nesting.

It's a time where I move things around and make changes in how I store my stuff. I'll give up some of it too!

Here's what we do/want to do, for the curious!

-Have a candlelight souper.

-Make and Eat apple crustard. Mariann loves to help

-Eat crêpes (Papa's making them!)

-Most likely listen to Groundhog day (with Bill Murray). We bought the dvd years ago to my FIL at his bday, pretty appropriate. Somehow we never get tired of it (once a year....) And every one feels like learning piano afterwards!

-Make a Brigid's cross and hang it somewhere (with pipe cleaners)

-I'll try making paper snowflakes with Mariann. See how this one goes... (she is pretty good with scissors now!)

How do you celebrate Candlemas if you do?

Imbolc

January altar,now covered with Imbolc goodies for a swap partner on craftster

I really, really don't know much about Imbolc.

It's a totally new celebration to me. I wouldn't be a good Wiccan, I know that.
Even if I've been familiar with paganism for about 10 years, I've never been much interested by the festivities, well those that wasn't already part of my culture. Of course, Samhain and Yule were the first, easily incorporated. Also Litha, which is meant to be celebrate around a bonfire; St-Jean Baptiste, Québec's National day, in celebrated with a bonfire on July 24th. And Ostara, easter never was about Jesus in my house. But pretty much every other Sabbaths are new to me; even if I understand instinctively the Sabbaths on equinoxes and solstices, I'm still researching for information about the true purpose of Beltane, Lughnasad and, the one concerning us right now, Imbolc.

Happily enough for me, great Pagans like Mrs.B writes nice articles about Imbolc, PaganDad does that, too. Hey, even Wiki can be useful!

So now I know a little more what Imbolc is about. Yet again, I still don't feel like I know much. It's seems to be a very light, simple Sabbath. It's attached to femininity and fire. It's a time for cleansing and welcoming Spring. Dairies should be honored, as well as cakes, cookies and meat.

I at least will be able to prepare a proper meal for Imbolc!