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Comment by Dept of PMM Artists & things on January 19, 2014 at 1:58pm

Kath Green 10:15in the mornin' Jan 18
Imbolc Braided Bread

Braided bread is found in many forms, in many cultures. This one is a simple one, and is perfect for serving at your Imbolc feast. The braid symbolizes Brighid in her aspect as the bride, representative of her fertility and position as a hearth goddess. Serve this tasty braided bread with warm butter for dipping.

Prep Time: 1 hour

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour, 30 minutes

Ingredients:
•3 loaves frozen bread dough, thawed (this is in the frozen foods section at the grocery store)
•1 egg
•Water
•Sesame seeds

Preparation:

Allow the bread loaves to defrost at room temperature. Before it begins to rise, cut each loaf in half with a large pizza cutter or a knife. Roll each half out until it's about 18" long, and about an inch thick. You'll end up with six of these long strips.

Take three of the strips, and braid them together, trying not to stretch them out too much. When you've reached the end of the braid, tuck the ends underneath themselves. Repeat the process with the other three strips, making a second braid.

Place the braids either on a baking stone, or on a pan that has been sprinkled with cornmeal.

Beat the egg in a small bowl, and add 2 Tbsp. water. Lightly brush the egg and water mixture over the braids, and then sprinkle with sesame seeds. Let them rise in a warm place for about an hour, or until doubled in size.

Bake at 375 for 30 minutes, or until a light golden brown color. Remove from baking sheet, and allow to cool for 15 minutes or more before serving.
** Note: if you want to really jazz this up, use different types of bread, such as white and wheat. The end result is visually very appealing, with the different colors braided together.

Comment by Dept of PMM Artists & things on January 19, 2014 at 1:54pm

Make Your Own Butter
By Patti Wigington

Imbolc is a Sabbat that often focuses on dairy -- after all, the very word Imbolc is derived from Oimelc, or "ewe's milk." This is a great time of year to make foods that come from a dairy source, and few are more representative of dairy than butter. Homemade butter is great because it's got a fuller flavor - mostly because you make with pure cream instead of diluting it with oils and water like commercially produced butter. Although back in the old days, people used to spend hours at a churn, you can put together your own batch of fresh butter with just a little bit of effort.

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:
•Heavy whipping cream
•Glass jar with a lid that seals tightly

Preparation:

Allow the whipping cream to sit at room temperature overnight to let it ripen. Don't leave it out more than 24 hours, or it will spoil.

Pour the whipping cream into the jar. Tighten the lid so it's sealed - I like to use a Mason jar for this, but you can use any kind you like. Shake the jar for about twenty to thirty minutes. If you have more than one kid, let them take turns so no one gets bored.

Check the jar periodically -- if the contents are getting too thick for you to shake easily, open the jar and use a fork to stir things up a little. Eventually, the cream will start to form yellow clumps. These clumps are your butter, which means you're done.

If you're not going to eat all your butter immediately, keep it in the jar, refrigerated. It will last about a week before it begins to spoil.

You can add flavor (and help prevent early spoilage) by adding a bit of salt to your butter. If you like, add herbs or honey. Experiment a little, to see what sorts of flavors you enjoy best. Also, if you allow your butter to chill after mixing it, you can shape it into blocks for easy cutting and spreading.

Comment by Dept of PMM Artists & things on January 19, 2014 at 1:02pm

How To Hold an Imbolc Candle Ritual (for Solitaries)
By Patti Wigington

Hundreds of years ago, when our ancestors relied upon the sun as their only source of light, the end of winter was met with much celebration. Although it is still cold in February, often the sun shines brightly above us, and the skies are often crisp and clear. As a festival of light, Imbolc came to be called Candlemas. On this evening, when the sun has set once more, call it back by lighting the seven candles of this ritual.

** Note: although this ceremony is written for one, it can easily be adapted for a small group.

Here's How:
1.
First, set up your altar in a way that makes you happy, and brings to mind the themes of Imbolc. You'll also want to have on hand the following:
• Seven candles, in red and white (tealights are perfect for this)
• Something to light your candles with
• A large bowl or cauldron big enough to hold the candles
• Sand or salt to fill the bottom of the bowl/cauldron

Prior to beginning your ritual, take a warm, cleansing bath. While soaking, meditate on the concept of purification. Once you're done, dress in your ritual attire, and begin the rite.

2.
If your tradition requires you to cast a circle, do so now.

Pour the sand or salt into the bowl or cauldron. Place the seven candles into the sand so they won't slide around. Light the first candle. As you do so, say:

Although it is now dark, I come seeking light.
In the chill of winter, I come seeking life.

Light the second candle, saying:

I call upon fire, that melts the snow and warms the hearth.
I call upon fire, that brings the light and makes new life.
I call upon fire to purify me with your flames.

3.
Light the third candle. Say:

This light is a boundary, between positive and negative.
That which is outside, shall stay without.
That which is inside, shall stay within.

Light the fourth candle. Say:

I call upon fire, that melts the snow and warms the hearth.
I call upon fire, that brings the light and makes new life.
I call upon fire to purify me with your flames.

4.
Light the fifth candle, saying:

Like fire, light and love will always grow.
Like fire, wisdom and inspiration will always grow.

Light the sixth candle, and say:

I call upon fire, that melts the snow and warms the hearth.
I call upon fire, that brings the light and makes new life.
I call upon fire to purify me with your flames.

Finally, light the last candle. As you do so, visualize the seven flames coming together as one. As the light builds, see the energy growing in a purifying glow.

Fire of the hearth, blaze of the sun,
cover me in your shining light.
I am awash in your glow, and tonight I am
made pure.

5.
Take a few momemnts and meditate on the light of your candles. Think about this Sabbat, a time of healing and inspiration and purification. Do you have something damaged that needs to be healed? Are you feeling stagnant, for lack of inspiration? Is there some part of your life that feels toxic or tainted? Visualize the light as a warm, enveloping energy that wraps itself around you, healing your ailments, igniting the spark of creativity, and purifying that which is damanged.

When you are ready, end the ritual. You may choose to follow up with healing magic, or with a Cakes and Ale ceremony.

Comment by Dept of PMM Artists & things on January 14, 2014 at 8:47pm

Comment by Dept of PMM Artists & things on January 14, 2014 at 1:57pm

Wade MacMorrighan 6:22in the evenin' Jan 13
So, guys, what are your plans for Imbolg this year? ("Imbolg", pronounced "im-volg" is my own preferred spelling and pronunciation of this Sabbat taken from the Cross and Slover book, "Ancient Irish Tales".) This is when we acknowledge our Goddess, An Morrighan, as a Hearth-Goddess and the personification of the fallow Earth that is awaiting the Quickening of the All-Father Bull-God of Storm, Thunder, Sun, and the Underworld, The Daghdha! (This is based in both Celtic Studies--usually journal articles--and Indo-European Studies, because many of likely never read that An Morrighan is actually a hearth-goddess, nor an earth-goddess of plenty.) It is at this time that we bless 1 pair each of white candles (for the lingering snow), aqua candles (for the thawing lakes, rivers, and streams), and chartreuse or willow green candles (for the burgeoning growth at this time. We dress them with a special potion and smolder a Hearth-Goddess incense. And, as an offering we bake chewy oatmeal cookies with cinnamon (cinnamon is a "herb" of fire!), and we proceed to cleanse and consecrate our agricultural tools with which we will tend our garden of summer vegetables and magicklal or medicinal herbs when the weather is warm enough.

Comment by Dept of PMM Artists & things on January 14, 2014 at 1:54pm

Imbolc is around the corner everyone!!!! Were that much closer to Spring!!!!!!!!!!!!
~Admin. Kelly~

Imbloc (Candlemass, Imblog, Imbole) - February 2nd

Pronounced: EE-Molc
Incense: Rosemary, Frankincense, Myrrh, Cinnamon
Decorations: Corn Dolly, Besom, Spring Flowers
Colours: White, Orange, Red

This holiday is also known as Candlemas, or Brigid's (pronounced BREED) Day. One of the 4 Celtic "Fire Festivals. Commemorates the changing of the Goddess from the Crone to the Maiden. Celebrates the first signs of Spring. Also called "Imbolc" (the old Celtic name).

This is the seasonal change where the first signs of spring and the return of the sun are noted, i.e. the first sprouting of leaves, the sprouting of the Crocus flowers etc. In other words, it is the festival commemorating the successful passing of winter and the beginning of the agricultural year. This Festival also marks the transition point of the threefold Goddess energies from those of Crone to Maiden.

It is the day that we celebrate the passing of Winter and make way for Spring. It is the day we honour the rebirth of the Sun and we may visualize the baby sun nursing from the Goddess's breast. It is also a day of celebrating the Celtic Goddess Brigid. Brigid is the Goddess of Poetry, Healing, Smithcraft, and Midwifery. If you can make it with your hands, Brigid rules it. She is a triple Goddess, so we honour her in all her aspects. This is a time for communing with her, and tending the lighting of her sacred flame. At this time of year, Wiccans will light multiple candles, white for Brigid, for the god usually yellow or red, to remind us of the passing of winter and the entrance into spring, the time of the Sun. This is a good time for initiations, be they into covens or self-initiations.

Imbolc (February 2) marks the recovery of the Goddess after giving birth to the God. The lengthening periods of light awaken Her. The God is a young, lusty boy, but His power is felt in the longer days. The warmth fertilizes the Earth (the Goddess), and causes seeds to germinate and sprout. And so the earliest beginnings of Spring occur.

This is a Sabbat of purification after the shut-in life of Winter, through the renewing power of the Sun. It is also a festival of light and of fertility, once marked in Europe with huge blazes, torches and fire in every form. Fire here represents our own illumination and inspiration as much as light and warmth. Imbolc is also known as Feast of Torches, Oimelc, Lupercalia, Feast of Pan, Snowdrop Festival, Feast of the Waxing Light, Brighid's Day, and probably by many other names. Some female Witches follow the old Scandinavian custom of wearing crowns of lit candles, but many more carry tapers during their invocations.

SOURCE: http://www.thewhitegoddess.co.uk/the_wheel_of_the_year/imbolc.asp

Comment by Dept of PMM Artists & things on January 11, 2014 at 12:47pm

Comment by Dept of PMM Artists & things on January 11, 2014 at 12:47pm

Candlemas (Imbolc, Imbolg and Oimelc) is a Major Sabbat that is a celebration to mark the return of the sun and the end of winter. At Yule the Goddess gave birth to the promised "Child of Light"  the tiny God of the Sun. At Candlemas the Goddess nurses her Son who is growing in power and strength.  We celebrate the waxing sun and the beginning of Spring.  Soon the Goddess will return from the Underworld and the Earth will be reborn.  Candlemas is a celebration of hope, the light returns and Spring is just around the corner.

The Celts called this holiday Brigit’s Day or Brid’s Day (pronounced Breed’s). The Imbolg was the ancient Celtic festival celebration the birth and freshening of sheep and goats and was also called Oimelc meaning ewe's milk. This is a time of great anticipation and the celebration of possibilities. New life is about to awaken in the earth; the earth is becoming ready to receive the seeds.

 February 1 is the feast day of the primary Celtic Goddess Brigit.  Her legends were not written down  until century's after the time of the Christian Saint Brigid.  Saint Brigid was an Irish abbess who lived in the fifth and sixth century C.E.

 Many legends are told about Brigit. She is one of the Tuatha de Danaan, and some legends say that she is the daughter of the Dagda.  Other legends imply that she was his consort, not his daughter. She is also said to have loved Bres the Beautiful, the ruler of the Tuatha de Danaan.  Interestingly Bres is said to be half Fomorian.  The Fomorians were giants that lived during the time of the Celts in and around the British Isles and they were the rulers of Ireland before the coming of the Tuatha de Danaan.  Scientific evidence supports the idea that the Fomorians were actually the last remnants of the Neanderthal people.  The Fomorians and the Tuatha de Danaan were at war over the possession of Ireland. Brigit and Bres became lovers and had a son called Ruadan who was part Danaan and part Fomorian. Brigit became a bridge between the two warring tribes and as her aspect of mother-goddess her main concern was the future well-being of Ireland.

Brigit is a triple Goddess of poetry, healing  and crafts.  As a healer she taught leech craft and herb craft.  She also was a patroness of sacred springs and wells that were said to have healing properties. Offerings to the watery Brigit were cast into the well in the form of coins or, even more ancient, brass or gold rings. Other sacrifices were offered where three streams came together. Her Cauldron of Inspiration connected her watery healing aspect with her fiery poetic aspect. Brigit the poet was the Celtic equivalent of the nine Greek Muses.  She was invoked by bards whose traveling entertainment preserved the spiritual wisdom, clan lines, myths, songs and stories of the Celtic people. Brigit the smith ruled the mysteries of metalworking.  In ancient times people who could work metal seemed to work magick, they used fire to transform stone (ore) into metal then transformed the metal into weapons.  Metalworkers were seen to have mastery over fire and matter and the secrets of their trade were not shared with the uninitiated.

Comment by Dept of PMM Artists & things on January 11, 2014 at 12:46pm

Candlemas Traditions and Symbols

Brigit Corn Dolly – a very old custom involved making a "Brigit" corn dolly that can be placed in a "Bride's bed" to bring fertility and good fortune to the home.  If you made a "Corn Mother" at Lammas, you may simply re-use it.  Dress the Corn Mother as a bride in colors of white, red and or gold, and your Harvest Crone transforms herself into the Brigit Spring Bride. Place the Bride in a "Brigit's bed" along with a priapic wand to symbolize fertility.  A priapic wand is a be-ribbonned fruit wood wand with a pine cone on the end which symbolizes the God.

Brigit's Bed – to show your hospitality and to encourage the Goddess to spend the  night at your home, create a "Brigit's Bed" near the hearth fire.  By inviting Brigit to stay overnight in your home you're symbolically asking that her powers of fertility, blessing and healing be with your family all year long.  A Brigit's bed can be a pretty wooden or cardboard box, a wicker basket or anything large enough to hold your Brigit corn dolly.  Be sure to decorate it with ribbons, flowers, herbs etc. and place a comfy blanket on the bottom of the bed. Don't forget to place the priapic wand in the bed so that the Goddess will not be lonely.

Comment by Dept of PMM Artists & things on January 11, 2014 at 12:46pm

Hearthfire  – the hearthfire is sacred to Brigit and is her altar in every home.  At Candlemas in the depth of winter the fire was more important than ever.  It was not allowed to go out and in the evening the fire was smoored ( covered with ash to preserve the hot coals) by the lady of the house.

I will smoor the hearth

As Brigid the Fostermother would smoor

The Fostermother's holy name

Be on the hearth, be on the herd

Be on the household all.

 

In the morning the fire was rebuilt with this prayer:

I will build the hearth

As Mary would build it.

The encompassment of Bride and of Mary

Guarding the hearth, guarding the floor,

Guarding the household all.

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