Lord Sun is in Aquarius and winter is fast a-fleeting as we celebrate Candlemas with reflected light.
Let light transform darkness on Candlemas.
“…do do be do, do be do, be do be do be do…”
— Swingle Singers scatting Bach
Sunday, February 2. 2014, is Candlemas/Imbolc/Brigit’s Day/Candelaria.
Lord Sun is in Aquarius; Lady Moon is in her first quarter, in Pisces. Aquarius is the sign that can see the “next trend” before anyone realizes there is a “next trend” developing; Pisces is the sign that incorporates all the signs of the Zodiac; first quarter moons are when we can best lay plans, both short- and long-term, to fulfill our aspirations.
These cumulative energies can sweep us into our future on a wave of optimism and positivity, aided and abetted by Lord Sun’s continuing growth and the steadily lengthening of daylight.
Candlemas is the same day as Groundhog Day and some of the same lore is attached to it. One rhyme says: “Half your wood and half your hay you should have on Candlemas Day,” expressing the idea that now winter is half over, half of what you stored to get you through the winter should still be on hand. For farmers who counted bales of hay in the barn that would feed the cows until grazing time came again, this was something important to keep track of.
The center of this celebration is light: clean surfaces shining in reflected candlelight, sparkling windowpanes, tableware freshly polished and glowing on a well-polished wooden table. Think of spring cleaning and you will get the general idea. Winter is fast a-fleeting.
We welcome Lord Sun and encourage his continuing growth by polishing all reflective surfaces. By cleaning, cleansing, and blessing our homes for this celebration we open the door, so to speak, to fresh energy to carry us through the coming season. Brigit is a fire goddess and a sun goddess; a Brigit’s Cross made of wheat stalks would be an appropriate table centerpiece.
Choose among the colors white, yellow, pink, light green, light blue, and brown as you decorate and select your attire. Serve your guests dairy foods such as custards, quiches, cheeses, cream soup, spicy foods such as curries or chili, spiced wine, toasted pumpkin seeds on a salad, poppyseed muffins, foods using hempseeds.
Make sure light shines into every nook and cranny of your home.
One of the more important activities on this day is to make sure light shines into every nook and cranny of your home. This is something you may invite your guests to help you with! Provide each guest with a flashlight and let them follow you as you progress sunwise (clockwise; to the right) through your home, starting with the door most often used for entry.
As you progress, turn on the lights in each room as you enter (the last person to leave each room may, in the interest of keeping utility bills more reasonable, turn the lights off), open all closet and cabinet doors and shine a light into the dark spaces; do the same with drawers; make sure to shine lights under beds and other furniture.
If you like, lead your guests in reciting a chant fitting for the occasion as you move through your home creating sacred space. One suggestion: Light transforms darkness, chases gloom away; Light moves us forward beginning today.
You are creating a beginning on Candlemas day. You are thinking of not only what you will Be but also what you will Do.
[Kate Braun was a contributor to the original Rag. Her website is www.tarotbykatebraun.com. She can be reached at kate_braun2000@yahoo.com. Read more of Kate Braun’s writing on The Rag Blog.]
