The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #126980 Message #2827139
Posted By: Gillie
01-Feb-10 - 07:56 AM
Thread Name: BS: Imbolc / Candlemass
Subject: RE: BS: Imbolc / Candlemass
Imbolc, Oimelc, Festival of Bride (pronpuced "Breed"), Festival of Bridgit, Candlemas.
At Imbolg, the spark of light born at Yule becomes a flame to warm the people. The trees start to bud and we see the first signs of spring. The word Imbolg means "in the belly", whilst Oimedlc means "ewe's milk" It is a time of birth with many ewes being pregnant and starting to give birth.
At Imbolg the Goddess casts aside the robes of the Wise One and returns as a maiden, dressed in white. The God. who was reborn at Yule, is now a young man, full of vigour, and his pursuit of the Maiden starts at this sabbat. A maiden would be seen as any women who has not yet given birth.
In some parts of the British Isles there are wells dedicated to Bride or the Christian St Bridget. Nearby to these places, there may be trees with scaps of fabric tied to its branches. This would be a wishing tree. Other offering such as plaited grasses, posies of flowers may be used.