Living
in western Canada – at least, here where the fescue grassland transitions into aspen
parkland – is quite different from living in southern England. As a result, the typical interpretation of
Imbolc being the first stirrings of vegetative life tends to resonate less with
us here. And since many of us don’t raise sheep, the “ewe’s milk” meaning of
the name is irrelevant to us. Small
wonder that Imbolc rites here tend to be among the poorest attended and least
understood.
We’re
told that in British Traditional Witchcraft, Imbolc is the end of the dark
quarter of the year, which makes it the ideal time for initiations – and by the
year-and-a-day teaching model, the time for beginning apprenticeships. I’ve
often thought that this would be a good time to celebrate our witchiness, as many
modern empowering (particularly feminist) Wiccan and Goddess chants are part of
our liturgies.
In
Britain, Imbolc is strongly associated with the Goddess variously known as
Bride, Brigid, Brigit, or Brighid, whose touch makes the springs – sacred to
her and frequently named after her - begin to flow. As the chant goes, primitive religions knew
her as the “snake woman, shedding her skin” as she renews herself. Later she took on the triple aspects as a goddess
of poetry, smithcraft, and healing (interestingly, all fire-related), and
finally she was assimilated by the Christians as St. Brigid.
The
fire aspect lives on in Christian tradition as Candlemas, the time when candles
to be used for ritual purposes during the year are sanctified. Alternatively,
this is also a time for the weaving of Brighid’s crosses out of dried reeds or
grasses. The crosses’ Sun-like
appearance reminds us that the days are finally getting longer, giving us hope
that the worst of winter is over.
Speaking
of which, the old proverb, “If Candlemas Day be fair and bright, winter will have
another fight; if Candlemas Day bring cloud and rain, Winter will not come
again”, reflects British weather lore.
This lives on in the modern tradition of Groundhog Day. It’s a good time to visit your local
prognosticator, be it Punxsutawney Phil, Wiarton Willie, Shubenacadie Sam, our
own Balzac Billy, or a variety of others who follow in their footsteps. It’s a
fun (albeit male-appropriated) survival of the old lore. It’s a big part of what
makes the Bill Murray movie an annual classic.
In
my personal Wheel of the Year, the Holly Warrior breaks his lonely winter vigil
when he is met by two strangers: the Goddess, now regenerated into her Maiden
guise, leading the young Oak Youth from their Mysteries in the Underworld. If we map our lives on the Wheel of the Year,
Imbolc can be associated with childhood, making it a good time to either indulge
or nurture your own inner child, or to indulge the children of your own, or
those close to you.
February Events:
Note these events are listed for
information purposes only. Dates and locations may be subject to change; see
the source for details. If I’ve missed anyone and you’d like to add to this
listing, please contact me. All times MST.
Jan 31, 6:27 am: Full (Old or
Wolf, Blue) Moon. Lunar Eclipse.
Feb 1-2: Traditional Imbolc.
Feb 2: Groundhog Day! Free breakfast at Blue Grass Nursery and
Garden Centre south of Crossiron Mills; Balzac Billy prognosticates at 8:10 am.
Bring the kids!
Feb 3, 10:00 am: Calgary New Age
Market at Hillhurst-Sunnyside Community Hall.
Feb
7: Birthday of Margarian Bridger
(1957-2016), founder of Evergreen Tradition.
Feb 10, 7:00 pm – 3 am:
Paranormal Investigation at Imperial Hunter Hotel, Bassano, hosted by
Ghost Hunt Alberta. Tickets through Eventbrite. https://www.facebook.com/events/2041724022722601/
Feb 13: Fat Tuesday. Pancake Land, anyone?
Feb 13: Fat Tuesday. Pancake Land, anyone?
Feb 13, 6:00 pm: “Forest, Fins,
& Footprints: Clearcutting a Community” documentary on Ghost Valley at Crowsnest
Hall, U of C. Tickets through Eventbrite.
https://www.facebook.com/events/218557688688616/
Feb 14: Valentine’s Day.
Feb 15: Roman festival of
Lupercalia.
Feb 15, 2:05 pm: New Moon.
Nion/Ash Lunar Month begins.
Feb 16: Chinese Year of the Earth
Dog begins.
Feb 18: Celtic Tree-Month of
Nion/Ash begins, according to Robert Graves.
Feb 18, 7:00 pm: Paranormal Pub
Night at Rose and Crown, hosted by Ghost Hunt Alberta. Tickets: https://www.facebook.com/events/218557688688616/
Feb 19: Family Day (Alberta) and
various provincial holidays.
Feb 24, 7:00 pm: Calgary Heathens
Meet and Greet at Denny’s McKnight.
Feb 24, 8:00 pm: Paranormal
Investigation at Twin Cities Hotel, Longview, hosted by Ghost Hunt Alberta.
Tickets: https://www.facebook.com/events/142403216554337/
Feb 25, 6:00 pm: Witchcraft
Discussion/Education Group (first of at least six monthly sessions) at
CommunityWise Resource Centre (formerly Old Y), hosted by Calgary School of
Informal Education. https://www.facebook.com/events/1596741910406000/
