Happy Imbolc!
Happy Imbolc all! Of the eight festivals on the Pagan wheel of the year, Imbolc is by far my favorite. It may not offer the best weather, but the meaning to me is the most important. While it is a liminal time between winter and spring, as a Gaelic festival it is considered the first day of Spring. It is the time when the snow begins to melt, the animals begin to come out of hiding, and the very first signs of Spring begin to manifest. Traditionally it was a time to visit wells and to light a candle to represent the returning warmth of the sun.
Imbolc is strongly represented by the Gaelic Goddess Brighid (along with St. Brigid). Brighid is a Goddess of healing, inspiration and warfare. She is a Goddess of in-betweens. St. Brigid the person also played a transitory role. She represents a bridge between the Gaelic polytheist traditions and Catholicism. She was canonized and holds a special position in the fabric of Irish Catholicism. Perhaps the Goddess Brigid was so powerful among the Irish – even the Christian Irish – that they decided to make her into a saint and weave many of their ancient Imbolc traditions within the fold of Christianity. In this post I will include an Imbolc Prayer written by Gangleri’s Grove along with some helpful resources about the day.
Imbolc Prayer to Brighid
Exalted One, Fiery Arrow,
Who teases beauty
from the burning flame,
Hear our prayers.
Mighty Healer,
Ever-honored,
Giver of sacred waters,
We praise You.
Hammer Wielder,
most-skilled Smith,
We exalt Your name
with our creative endeavors.
Friend of women,
Who blesses birthing
and comforts the dying,
We offer adorations unto You.
Goddess of inspired speech,
Master Wordsmith,
Bard of Bards,
Poet of Poets,
We celebrate You in our rites.
Sovereign Mother
of the Greenest of lands,
Who protects Your people,
bestowing blessings,
We hail You.
RELEVANT READING:
Brighid – Goddess and Saint – Lady of Transitions and Inbetweens (Metal-Gaia)
How to celebrate Imbolc (Pagan Wiccan)
Happy Ostara – With Poem
The Vernal Goddess treads a land of melting snow
in a gown of green, sunlight twined in golden hair
She escorts Old Man Winter beneath the horizon
Laying him down to slumber, until the following year
Birds as troubadours sing in the spring
Burying white treasures in castles of twig and vine
All Hail Lady Spring in her procession
All Hail The Maidan, Radiant and Divine!
Happy Ostara All! Today is officially the first day of Spring. The Spring Equinox is the day when the sun passes over the celestial equator. Today is a day that celebrates the season’s change from the darkness of winter to the light of Spring, as well as the land’s new fertility. After the Snowpocalypse that has pummeled the American East Coast this year, I am certainly grateful for Spring.
PaganWiccanAbout.com has some information on Ostara crafts, deities, food, altars and rituals
Enjoy the following Ostara song below. I know I posted it last year, but hey – it’s good enough to post a second time! Three cheers for spring! Three cheers for new beginnings!
World Wide Magical Operation to Fight Fracking
On Saturday, September 28th, “The Warrior’s Call” took place.
It was a world wide pagan anti-fracking ritual.
300 bodies were present at the ritual and 1500 people around the world were there in mind and spirit.
The ritual was mainly facilitated by members of OBOD.
The intention of the ritual was to cast a sphere of protection over the Earth to protect it from fracking.
Metal Gaia 