Imbolc - Celebration of light and honoring the Sacred Flame

Imbolc Feb, 2nd 2009 not just Ground Hog Day.....

It is said the the Celts celebrated an earlier version of Groundhog Day, when the serpent is said to crawl out of the hole. Looking at it from a spiritual view, the serpent crawled out of the belly (womb) of the Goddess. This showed the world that the animal kingdom was stirring from their winter sleep, deep within the earth and light is returning to the world.

With the many pagan holidays the Celts have made their influence felt, as can been seen in the story of the Irish Goddess Brighid, who is the keeper of the sacred flame. It is said that her flame burned bright in Kildare. She later became know as the Catholic Saint Brigit. St. Brigit’s sacred flame was tended by the nuns until it was forced underground. For many many years the flame remained hidden, being kept alive by the flame keepers. Only recently with a rise of Goddess worship has the flame resurfaced to be shared with the world.

Brighid is also considered to be the guardian of home and hearth. To honor her, purification and cleaning are a wonderful way to get ready for the coming spring...hence our term Spring Cleaning!  She also a goddess connected to inspiration and creativity.

So on this day we can tend the flame within ourselves; we begin to feel the flicker of warmth within as spring approaches, the quickening within our hearts tells us change is coming.

So wherever you find yourself this Imbolc take a second to light a candle and let its warmth and light fill you as you know that spring will be soon upon us!

Blessed Be!

Rayven

RavensWing