Magick

Guest Writer

Hey everyone, this is Magick here to talk about yet two more Pagan/Wiccan holidays. Both of them are within a month of each other so I decided to just make them one article. So, Here we go!

Imbolc:

Imbolc (im'bolk) also called Candlemas, is a time of light, held on February 1st or 2nd. As the long winter months begin to wane into spring, the light of spring is showing dim, but just enough to guide spring back on to the earth. Although Imbolc is a festival that pre-dates Christianity, there is a similar holiday specifically called Candlemas. This holiday is held on February 2nd and celebrates St. Brigid, the reported midwife for the Virgin Mary. But long before the Christian empire there was a celebration of the Celtic goddess, Brigid. Imbolc is an archaic term for "in milk." This is a time to celebrate fertility and things yet to be born.

Well, now you know some of the facts about this pre-spring celebration. It has a lot of history in Paganism and Christianity. Today many of us know this as Groundhog's Day, but it had a lot more meaning to our ancestors who came before us.

Ostara:

Ostara (o-star'-a), also known as the Vernal/Spring Equinox, is a time of balance. Held in the middle of March (the 20th this year) the date changes every year as the earth orbits the sun. The day and night are equal at this time -- hence you can stand an egg on its end because of the earth's movement. At this time Winter and Spring sort of fight for control of the Earth, lol. This is another fertility festival, and both Easter and Ostara get their names from the goddess Eostre. Legend says that while she was entertaining a group of children she turned into a bird or rabbit. And to their amusement the creature laid colored eggs -- this was the start of the Easter Bunny, and egg hunts... (the egg being a sign of fertility, just so ya know). This is the basic beginning of Easter, however I am sure there were many, many other influences, from Christianity especially. (Easter being on the 31st this year.)

Have a great Spring!

-Magick