Imbolc: Festival of the White Candles

To the Scots-Irish traditionalists, today is celebrated as Imbolc (In Irish, Imbolc (pronounced “im’olk”), derives from the Old Irish imbolg – which means ‘in the belly’. This refers to the pregnancy of ewes. Another name is Oimelc – which means ‘ewe’s milk.’ *) Later, this holiday took on a number of names to please the local Christian legates: it became Candlemaas, St. Brigit’s day, and the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. If you’re American, you probably know it as Groundhog Day. No matter, since all came from the same root.

This has always been my favorite holiday, as it is so poignant in such a quiet way. Imagine a world where you and your tribe needed to make whatever you and yours had stored, smoked, and preserved during the autumn season (Lughnasaad for the early harvest, Mabon for the high harvest) and, after that, the cold of Samhein brings the reminder of the cold, dead season to come. Have you harvested enough? Will your tribe survive?

All of this changes on Imbolc, when the ewes begin to give milk and prepare to give birth to their lambs. You’ve made it! Your tribe will not starve! Even if supplies have run dry, you can slaughter a sheep or drink the milk from the other ewes, knowing that there will be more lambs soon! You’ve made it!

Our circle views this holiday as a quiet holiday to spend with close friends and family. It’s other name, “the feast of the White Candles,” plays a large part in how we choose to sanctify our personal space.

However, there are and have been several other Pagan services for Imbolc being offered in the Rochester area. Here is one we can speak for, as we have personally spoken with the woman who will be running the circle:

Psychic’s Thyme
(Priestess: Charlene “Char”)
439 Monroe Ave
Rochester, NY

(585) 473-4230

www.psychicsthyme.com

7:00 pm: (Please call first.)

(*) Chadwick, Nora (1970) The Celts London, Penguin.(p 181) ISBN 0-14-021211-6