A Blessed Imbolc
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“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.” – Witchvox
“The origin of Groundhog Day is derived from earlier celebrations held on the cross-quarter day of February 2, dates variously known as Brigid’s Night in Ireland (festival of the Celtic goddess of poetry, birth, weddings, smithcraft, and healing), Oimelc/Imbolc/Imbolg in Scotland, and Candlemas in England. The cross-quarter days (Samhain, Imbolc, Beltane, and Lughnasa) were always associated in ancient times with divination–the veil between the worlds is believed to be its thinnest, and the balance of energies between solstice and equinox was thought to be very significant.” – Peg Aloi
“If you think Groundhog Day is just a chance to yank a critter out of its burrow, then you aren’t digging deep enough. Keep reaching and you’ll drag out a Druid. This once was a pagan festival and became a Christian observance before it was brainstormed into a marketing scheme, just like almost every other seasonal holiday on the Gregorian calendar.” - Tim Chitwood, The Ledger-Enquirer
“Throughout the history of mankind, the midway point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox has been observed, even celebrated, in a number of cultures. Ancient Romans had a mid-season festival Feb. 5, and the pagan Irish had their own celebration in early February.” – John Dodge, The Olympian
“Imbolc is one of the eight solar holidays or sabbats of Neopaganism. Originally it was a pagan Irish festival celebrated on 1 February (and the evening before). Today modern pagans either celebrate it on the 1st or 2nd, the 2nd being more popular in America, perhaps because of a confusion with Candlemas. In the southern hemisphere it is celebrated in August. The name, in the Irish language, means “in the belly” (i mbolg), referring to the pregnancy of ewes, and is also a Celtic term for spring. Another name is Oimelc, meaning “ewe’s milk”; also Brigid, referring to the Celtic goddess of smithcraft, to whom the day is sacred.” – Wikipedia
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