Wiccans, Pagans - what to you call today's holiday

[mongo]

Poll question: Wiccans, Pagans - what to you call today's holiday

For me it was always Bridget, but all the witches I hang with in Oh. call it Candlemas.

I've been non-practicing for over a year now, but for many years I bought a live tree at Yule and it got burnt over a campfire during a Bridget ritual. It's an awesome, inspiring sight when you throw the tree on the fire - flames 50 feet in the air. Great burst of energy for a ritual that is hard to get started when you are freezing and standing in snow.

Soooo, what do you call today's holiday:

[brainshrub]

1. Today is a Pagan holiday!

Wow! I didn't know that.

[mongo]

3. Yep

Cross Quarter - halfway between winter solstice and spring equinox.

[ThorsHammer]

7. Interesting, never knew that

[LisaM]

2. They celebrate Candlemas in the Catholic church too

I've gone to church that day for it.

[davidinalameda]

4. I call it 9 more months until my birthday

:party:

[theHandpuppet]

5. Some info from today's Scotsman.com

Today is the pagan festival of Imbolc as well as being the Christian festival of Candlemas. It is the first Quarter day - half way between the winter solstice and the vernal equinox. Traditionally, if the sun shines today, winter is over, but if the sun is behind cloud, winter is still to come - a legend that has given rise to Groundhog Day.

So I'm voting for Imbolc!

[notadmblnd]

6. I don't know but

I feel today is a turning point and the worst of winter is pretty much over. Yeah! Spring is on it's way!:toast:

[starroute]

8. When the snakes come out of hibernation

I don't have an online source for this -- I think I read it in one of Marija Gimbutas's books -- but in Lithuania, the holiday involves whether or not snakes are coming out of their winter hibernation. The Groundhog is just a sort of American euphemism.

There are or were similar holidays among the native people of the Andes, but at a different time of the year and involving the transition between the dry season and the rainy season. Same business with the snakes, though.

There may also be some connection with the constellation Aquarius, whose symbol of two parallel zigzag lines traditionally represents both water and serpents.

(And, um, I know that blogs are taking over the world, but still, it's Imbolg (or Imbolc), not Imblog.)

[mongo]

10. oops. Spelling is not my strong suit.

[Bridget Burke]

12. Imblog....celebration for diarists on the Internet!

This is St. Bridget's day. She (& the Goddess Brigid) favored letters, so she'd be a good patroness!

(Just as St Columba--an actual historical personage--is the patron of software piracy.)

[davsand]

9. I've always called it Candlemas.

I think Brigantia is more of an Irish spin on it...

You can read about the holiday and how some folks observe it here:

http://www.witchvox.com/holidays/ximbolc.html

"I M B O L C (February 1st or 2nd)
also known as: Candlemas, Imbolg, Imbolgc brigantia, Lupercus, Disting

IMBOLC: The earliest whisperings of Springtide are heard now as the Goddess nurtures Her Young Son. As a time of the year associated with beginning growth, Imbolc is an initiatory period for many. Here we plant the "seeds" of our hopes and dreams for the coming summer months..."

[gypsy11]

11. This is a good day

to wish for peace. Our thoughts carry more weight on days like today. This being one of the 8 power points of the year.

:hippie:

[Spacemom]

13. We call it Briget's Day

We celebrate the first begining of spring. We make candles and read poetry. If I'm feeling really inspired, we make braided brigit bread. :D