Conference turris::womannotes-v5

Well tomorrow's Imbolc, otherwise known as Candlemas, otherwise known (or I 
guess that's Feb. 2) as Groundhog Day...

Originally from a word "Oimelc" meaning "ewes' milk," in Celtic tradition
this cross-quarter day, midway between the Winter Solstice and the Spring
Equinox, was the Pagan first day of spring - a day to welcome the early new
lambs, as well as the strengthening light of the sun.  Customs included
pouring milk out onto Mother Earth, and setting out dishes of water to
capture the sun's rays and swirling the water to make the light dance. 

And it was sacred to the Great Triple Goddess Brigit, especially in Ireland.  
She was associated with fire (as in smithcraft), poetry, and healing, as well
as childbirth.  She was retained as the Christian Saint Brigit.  Her temple
was at Kildare; there was a perpetual fire burning, and 19 nuns in attendance.  
There were many stories about Brigit - that flowers and shamrocks sprang up
in her footsteps; that she hung her cloak on a sunbeam.  Other customs included
baking "Brigit's bread" (reminiscent of the baking of cakes for the Queen of
Heaven, mentioned in the Bible), and making protective "Brigit's Crosses"
from straw - with four points, suggesting a kind of wheel or eye - ancient
symbol of the sun. 

Overall, a time of quickening, of new life...

And (maybe) not that many more icy commutes,

D.

    And we can see that the sun is coming back!
    
    Yeah!
    
    meg

I just read that Starhawk and Donna Read are collaborating on a film about 
the life of Marija Gimbutas.

  http://www.com.warmcove.com/cove/belili/welcome.html