Candlemas, also known as Imbolc, is a significant festival in the Wiccan Wheel of the Year. Celebrated on February 1st or 2nd, it marks the midpoint between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. This festival holds great importance in the Wiccan faith as it represents the turning point of winter, the awakening of the earth, and the return of light and life. Candlemas is associated with various traditions and customs, many of which are rooted in ancient pagan rituals. One of the central themes of this festival is the belief in the growing strength of the sun and its ability to bring forth life. It is a time of purification, where people often cleanse their homes and themselves to prepare for the coming spring.
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Sabbats in History and Mythology / Samhain (October 31st) / Yule (December 21st) / Imbolc (February 2nd) / Ostara (March 21st) / Beltane (April 30th) / Litha (June 21st) / Lughnasadh (August 1st) / Mabon (September 21st)
Written and compiled by George Knowles
It is a time of purification, where people often cleanse their homes and themselves to prepare for the coming spring. On this day, candles play a significant role in the celebration. They symbolize warmth, light, and the returning power of the sun.
Imbolc - Candlemas
Imbolc (Christianised as "Candlemas") was one of the four Greater Sabbats of the witch�s calendar. A cross-quarter fire festival, Imbolc falls between �Yule� - the Winter Solstice, and �Ostara� - the Spring Equinox. Celebrated in the Northern Hemisphere between the 01st and 3rd of February, in the Southern Hemisphere the equivalent Sabbat is Lammas. The main purpose of Imbolc is a celebration of the returning Sun, which daily grows stronger reducing the night. As such, the main feature of this festival is the lighting of fires and candles in sympathetic imitation of the Sun�s growing light.
Imbolc of old was traditionally a time of purification, both physically and mentally. After the enforced indoor living of the dark winter months when the home was shutdown to guard against the cold, it came as a welcome relief for many people to re-open the shutters and welcome in the growing light. While we are still in the grip of the last ravages of winter, plant life is beginning to revive shooting new buds, and farm animals, sheep in particular, are beginning to producing new lambs adding to the livestock. As the Sun grows in strength, so a new cycle of life returns to the earth.
In pagan mythology Imbolc marks the recovery of the Goddess as she sleeps on after the birth of the Sun God, and she acknowledges his growing maturity as he gains strength to become the new light of the year. After his rest and recuperation during winter�s annual hibernation, the Sun god�s light begins to purify the earth. Although he is still young he is also lusty and his growing power can be felt in the lengthening of the days. As his power grows and warms the earth so too does the early beginnings of spring appear as nature rebirths itself again.
The name Imbolc is derived from the Gaelic word �Oimelc� (which means �ewes milk�), and appropriately so for this is the lambing season a time when many of our herd animals have either given birth or their wombs are expectantly swollen. Imbolc is also known by various other names, including: Bridget�s Day (Pagan), Imbolgc Brigantia (Caledonni), Disting (Teutonic), Lupercalia (Roman � 15th Feb), Groundhog Day (America), Candlelaria (Mexican), the Snowdrop Festival, the Feast of Torches, the Feast of Lights, the Feast of Pan and Feast of the Waxing Light. However when Christianity arrived, as happened to many of the old pagan celebrations, Imbolc was re-invented and renamed �Candlemas� as a symbolic reminder of the purification of the Virgin Mary. In Scotland Inbolc is known as: L� Fh�ill Br�ghde, in Ireland as: L� Fh�ile Br�de, and in Wales as: Gwyl Ffraed.
Fire is the most important aspect of this celebration, for it was also a day dedicated to the pagan Goddess Bridget (also known as Brighid, Br�de, Brigit or Br�d). Bridget is a triple aspect Goddess (revered as Maiden, Mother and Crone), who as a Maiden ruled over - Poetry, Writing, Inspiration and Music, as a Mother over - Healing, Midwifery and Herbalism, and as a Crone over - Fire and the working arts of the Smithy. Again here Christianity intervened, but instead of doing away with her as a pagan Goddess, they canonized her as �St. Bridget� the patron Saint of Ireland who founded a church and monastery at Kildare. It was here according to legend that the Priestesses of the Goddess constantly tended a sacred flame in her honour.
�All thoughts, all passions, all delights
Whatever stirs this mortal frame
All are but ministers of Love
And feed his sacred flame�
Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772�1834)
In Western Europe, Imbolc was time to start preparing the fields for the first planting, and to bless the crop seeds saved and stored from the last harvest. It was also a time to consecrate and bless all their agricultural tools ready for the planting season. The success of the new planting season was of great importance for by this time the winter stores of food were beginning to run out, so rituals were performed at Imbolc to ensure a steady supply of food until the first harvest was brought in later at Lammas (August 1st). One old tradition was to drag a decorated plough around the fields followed by the villagers dropping pieces of cheese and bread into the newly turned furrows as offerings to the nature spirits. As well as the seeds, Corn dollies saved from the last harvest would also be planted in the fields to encourage new growth.
Ox-drawn Plough
Another old custom was to make �Bridget�s Crosses� woven from leftover wheat stalks. These would be hung in barns and over doorways in the home, and over beds to encourage the blessings of the Goddess. Similar charm crosses were also made and exchanged as symbols of protection and prosperity for the coming year. The making of �Bridget Dollies� was another old tradition fashioned from leftover wheat stalks. These were made and dressed in women�s clothing, then placed in baskets of white flowers with a wand, candle or other phallic object to encourage fertility. Placed near the front door of the home, or sometimes near the hearth, a white candle would be lit nearby and left to burn as an invitation for Bridget to visit through the night and favour them with her blessings.
A Bridget�s Cross Charm Pendant
Imbolc is all about new beginnings. On the eve of Imbolc all the home fires would have been put out, cleaned out, and re-lit symbolic of the returning light of the Sun, and in keeping with this symbolism, a broom made from the three sacred woods symbolic of the three-fold aspects of the Goddess (the handle from Ash, the brush from Birch twigs and the binding cord from Willow) would be placed by the front door to symbolize sweeping out the old and welcoming in the new. During the evening an especially large candle would have been lit while the family gathered around ready for a feast, during which plans and promises to be kept through the new season would be discussed and debated until it burned out. It was also customary at Sunset to ritually light a candle in each room of the home in honour of the Sun�s return.
After the rise of Christianity in England, the old Pagan custom of lighting candles at Imbolc was incorporated into the Roman Catholic Church and renamed Candlemas. On the eve of Candlemas, candles would be distributed among the congregation and paraded around the church in a Festival of Light. After a service to honour the purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary, more candles to be used in the church during the following year would also be blessed and consecrated by the priest. The church practice of celebrating Candlemas continued in England until the 16th century, at which time during the Reformation it was discontinued being considered to closely allied with Pagan practices and magical accessories.
The use of candles in a 'Festival of Light' never died out however, for in 1951 after the repeal of the old antiquated witchcraft laws still being enforced in England, there was a resurgence of interest in old Pagan practices. This was spearheaded by Gerald B. Gardner who founded the contemporary form of Witchcraft known as the Gardnerian Tradition, and quickly followed by numerous other traditions. Common among all such traditions are the initiation rituals, many of which take place at Imbolc - it being a traditional time of new beginnings. Today one of the main features of many coven initiations is a procession of candlelight leading the initiate into the circle from which their new beginnings as a Witch takes place.
Imbolc then is a time to spring clean both your mental and physical abilities, to take stock of your life and make a fresh start. By planning ahead and planting new seeds (ideas) for the future, who knows what new opportunities will grow from them. As the Sun grows stronger in the sky, so too should you look forward with optimism; and as your seeds (ideas) mature, so may you realise your hopes and dreams.
�I feel again a spark of that ancient flame�.
Virgil (Publius Vergilius Maro) 70�19 BC -Aeneid bk. 4, l. 23
Wiccans often light candles in their homes and perform candle magick, using the flame as a source of focus and energy. It is traditional to bless and consecrate new candles during this time, infusing them with intentions and desired outcomes. Candlemas is also associated with the goddess Brigid, who is honored during this festival. Brigid is often seen as the triple goddess of healing, poetry, and smithcraft. Wiccans may create altars dedicated to Brigid, adorned with candles, poetry, and symbols of creativity and inspiration. Offerings of milk, bread, and honey are commonly made to honor her and seek her blessings. In addition to these rituals, Candlemas is a time for divination and forecasting. It is believed that the power of the gods and goddesses is strong during this period, making it an opportune time to seek guidance and insights into the future. Wiccans may engage in various forms of divination, such as tarot card readings, scrying, or dream interpretation, to gain clarity and wisdom. Candlemas is a celebration of the imminent arrival of spring and the renewal of life. It is a time to honor the sun, embrace the returning light, and set intentions for the coming season. By engaging in rituals, lighting candles, and connecting with the goddess Brigid, Wiccans seek to imbue their lives with positive energy and invite abundance, creativity, and growth into their lives..
Reviews for "The Mythology and Folklore of Candlemas in Wicca"
- Jessica - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Candlemas wicca". The book promised to provide a comprehensive guide to celebrating the holiday, but instead, it was filled with generic history and superficial explanations. The rituals and spells were poorly described, making it hard for beginners like me to understand and follow. I was expecting to find practical tips and detailed instructions, but all I got were vague suggestions. Overall, this book didn't meet my expectations and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for a practical guide to Candlemas.
- Mark - 1 star - "Candlemas wicca" was a letdown for me. The content felt repetitive and lacking depth. The author didn't offer any new insights or fresh perspectives on celebrating Candlemas. It seemed like a rehash of information that can be easily found online for free. Additionally, the book had numerous grammatical errors and typos, which made it even more difficult to read. I found it hard to stay engaged and ended up skimming through most of it. Save your money and look for a more informative and well-written book on the subject.
- Sarah - 2 stars - I found "Candlemas wicca" to be rather underwhelming. The author seemed to assume that the reader already had a solid understanding of Wiccan practices, as they didn't provide much explanation or context. As a beginner, I struggled to follow along and understand the significance of the rituals and traditions mentioned. The book also lacked in-depth information about the history and origins of Candlemas, which left me wanting for more. It felt like a quick overview rather than a comprehensive guide. Overall, not a book I would recommend to beginners or those seeking detailed information.
- John - 3 stars - "Candlemas wicca" was a decent read, but it didn't fully satisfy my curiosity. While it briefly touched upon the significance of Candlemas and provided some basic rituals, I felt like there was a lack of depth and substance. The author could have done a better job expanding on the practices and explaining their purpose. Additionally, the book didn't provide any practical tips or advice on how to integrate the celebration of Candlemas into daily life. It left me wanting more and feeling a bit disappointed. I would recommend it to those looking for a quick introduction, but not to those seeking in-depth knowledge or guidance.