Candlemas = Renewal

Each year, we celebrate February 2nd around the world.  We call it Brigid,
Candlemas, Imbolc, St. Brigid's Day, and yes, of course, Groundhog's Day. Why
do we celebrate on February 2nd?  Is it like President's Day - providing a nice
day for state and federal workers to stay at home?  Not really... Brigid has
been celebrated for many thousands of years.  It is the day on which we
recognize and honor the awakening of the maiden aspect of the Goddess.

Some of us celebrate the holiday as Brigid, in honor of Brigid who was a Celtic
Goddess of poetry, healing, fire and smithcraft.  In years past, the people of
the British Isles would build a nice fire in their hearth, light torches and
candles, and celebrate Brigid.  What were they celebrating?  The Maiden aspect
of the Goddess awakes or returns from the underworld.  At Winter Solstice she
was impregnated with Spring.  She sleeps until Brigid and returns, bringing
Spring and renewal for the earth with her.  The other names for this holiday
are just different names for the same celebration.

Some may ask what this really has to do with us?  We see that some of the
animal kingdom hibernates through the dark time of the year. We tend to follow
the same cycle.  During the dark time of the year we retreat within ourselves.
We focus internally.  We stay inside our homes in the warmth and think about
what is upcoming for us.  We may not even recognize it.  We may not even think
about it consciously, but subconsciously we are very much aware of it.  We are
very much a part of the spiral of birth, death, and rebirth throughout the
year.  We are interconnected with the earth and all that is on it.  You have
likely heard the old expression "Spring Fever" many times before.  This is
simply our anticipation of Spring's return, when we can go out and live a full
life upon the earth once more.

Often if we look at our ancestors and the His/Herstory, we can find the answers
to many of our questions.  I hope that everyone has a beautiful Brigid and
remember... Spring is just around the corner.
Mayfair Lightwind