Pagan Journeys
Pagan Journeys => Pagan Chat => Topic started by: LadyOrchid on January 31, 2011, 06:33:13 AM
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Imbolc in traditional Celtic times was celebrated at Dusk of the 1st of Feb through to Dusk of the 2nd.
Traditionally this is a time of purification — so go clean your house!
Have a spring clean physically and spiritually.
Make your own Brighid’s crosses and hang them up,
especially in the kitchen where she can bless your food.
Put out some food at your front door— cake, buttered bread and milk.
As Brighid and her cow walk through the neighborhood tonight they will appreciate your offering.
Leave a silk ribbon on the doorstep for Brighid to bless:
It can then be used for healing purposes.
Meditate on what you would like to see grow in health and strength this year:
for you, your family, your community, the Earth,
and ask for Bride's blessing.
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You're a day or so early, but good info.
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I really need to do the house cleaning part. :D Thanks, Lady Orchid, for the ideas.
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It's also the New Moon (well, nearly so - Feb 3), so I would think that cleaning and renewal would be doubly-potent this year. I guess it's a good time for me to finally tackle the den.
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My daughter's birthday is on Imbolc (which I celebrate on Feb 2) so it is a special time for me. Blessings to all our members!
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Wow, I am out of it. Thanks for the reminder, Lady Orchid!
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*sigh* Every now and then, I think the customs and traditions of the Celts, who lived in a gentler clime, are less appropriate and need to be modified over here. Just for example, when the weather is so extreme I could be arrested for being out on the street, (there's a briefing from the local head of Homeland Security on TV as I type) when the house and car are buried under layers of .5" of solid ice, 3" sleet, 2" snow, and more to start falling this afternoon, when 8,500 homes are without power, when the National Guard is ready to cope with -40 temps to deliver necessities, it's just a little difficult to celebrate the first signs of Spring!!
peace,
ES
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So True Eternal Seeker- we can ofcourse celebrate as and when we want or when it is more appropriate. It really was just a heads up- and ofcourse over in Ireland- we are rapidly showing signs of Spring- where as all over the World - the weather can and is doing its thing.
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I learned why Ireland is called "The Emerald Isle" when we went there... we went by boat- the Seacat- and it was magical; we could see the emerald glow on the horizon an hour before we could actually see land. It "rained" while we were there- or at least some of the Dubliners we were chatting with apologized for the weather on our visit, and we were amused by this. I didn't say it- perhaps I should have- but what I thought was, "Rain? This isn't rain; this is just heavy mist- we wouldn't even bother with an umbrella for this back home!" but it was a great excuseto buy a couple nice sweaters from a shop near the Ha'penny Bridge.
peace,
ES
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I love this holiday and it was not purely Celtic in nature but the midpoint to spring was observed by many including some American Indians. I am ready for the warmer weather when it gets to this point. I might mention that constant damp weather tended to kill off quite a few Irish people due to respiratory problems.