Imbolc Countdown: Februalia

[Dept of PMM Artists & things]

Thursday January 27, 2011

The ancient Romans had a festival for nearly everything, and if you were a god, you almost always got your own holiday. Februus, for whom the month of February is named, was a god associated with both death and purification. His celebration, Februalia, was a month-long period of sacrifice and atonement, invovling offerings to the gods, prayer, and sacrifices. If you were a wealthy Roman who didn't have to go out and work, you could literally spend the entire month of February in prayer and meditation, atoning for your misdeeds during the other eleven months of the year:

Februalia, January 30 - February 2:

The ancient Romans had a festival for nearly everything, and if you were a god, you almost always got your own holiday. Februus, for whom the month of February is named, was a god associated with both death and purification. In some writings, Februus is considered the same god as Faun, because their holidays were celebrated so closely together.

The festival known as Februalia was held near the end of the Roman calendar year -- and to understand how the holiday changed over time, it helps a bit to know the calendar's history. Originally, the Roman year had only ten months -- they counted out ten months between March and December, and basically disregarded the "dead months" of January and February. Later, the Etruscans came along and added these two months back into the equation. In fact, they planned to make January the first month, but the expulsion of the Etruscan dynasty prevented this from happening, and so March 1st was considered the first day of the year. February was dedicated to Februus, a god not unlike Dis or Pluto, because it was the month in which Rome was purified by making offerings and sacrifices to the gods of the dead. Our Guide to Ancient History, N.S. Gill, has some great information on the terminology found in the Roman calendar.

At any rate, because of the association with fire as a method of purification, at some point the celebration of Februalia became associated with Vesta, a hearth goddess much like the Celtic Brighid. Not only that, February 2 is also considered the day of Juno Februa, the mother of war god Mars. There is a reference to this purification holiday in Ovid's Fasti, in which he says, "In short, anything used to cleanse our bodies went by that name [of februa] in the time of our unshorn forefathers. The month is called after these things, because the Luperci purify the whole ground with strips of hide, which are their instruments of cleansing..."

Februalia was a month-long period of sacrifice and atonement, invovling offerings to the gods, prayer, and sacrifices. If you were a wealthy Roman who didn't have to go out and work, you could literally spend the entire month of February in prayer and meditation, atoning for your misdeeds during the other eleven months of the year.

 

 

[Dept of PMM Artists & things]

 

Imbolc

 

The Festival of Imbolc commences on February eve, or January 31, and usually concludes on February 2.  Imbolc has three major associations: the veneration of fire and water, the quickening of new life in the womb, and the lactation of ewes. The association of Imbolc with fire comes from its place as the midpoint between the winter solstice and the vernal equinox. Celtic in origin, this Sabbat hallows the midpoint of the changing season, rather than the day of change. Referred to as "the first light," the observance of Imbolc was marked by the traditional lighting of candles, signifying purification, inspiration, and growing light. Fire is also representative of the Goddess Brighid in her aspect of patroness of smithcraft. In the fires of the forge, physical transformations occur. These changes are metaphoric, to symbolize the strengthening of the soul.

 

Another symbol of Brighid is the well. On Imbolc, processions were made to her sacred wells, which were typically adorned with greenery at this time, signifying the imminent return of spring. Devotees would circle the well deosil, or sunwise, before drinking of the waters in order to bring about good fortune. The procession was never made widdershins, or counterclockwise, as this was believed to bring ill luck. Water has long been associated with the power to heal, so it is no coincidence that Brighid, in her aspect as healer, would be associated with wells.

 

Another translation of Imbolc is "in the belly," referring to intrauterine fetal movement, also known as quickening. Imbolc is characterized by the preparation for birth. Brighid is a Goddess also associated with cattle, and the quickening of Imbolc often refers to the livestock that will be born in the spring. With its theme of preparation for birth, it is appropriate that Imbolc has evolved into an auspicious day for rituals of rebirth as well.

 

Traditionally at this time, the initiation of the witch is enacted. It is a time for reflecting on the nature of initiation and the evolution of the magical path. Like the dark reflections off the water of the surface of the well, the energy of Imbolc implores us to look deeper and contemplate the associations of water: mental acuity, emotional stability, and psychic ability. These may also be seen as manifestations of the gifts of Brighid, as sharpening of the mind is akin to the creative energy of Brighid as metalsmith. As a poet, Brighid balances the soul with inspiration and wisdom. The healing waters of her sacred well invite her devotee to scry and develop their psychic gifts.

 

The festival of Imbolc is alternately known as Oimelg, or "ewe's milk." The presence of lactating ewes was of great importance at this time of year; it often meant the difference between life and death to the early Celts. Ewes only lactate when there are lambs to nurse,  and in the intensity of February's cold, lactating ewes meant the presence of milk, cheese, and butter. While Imbolc is hailed as the beginning of spring, the weather bears a far greater resemblance to the grip of winter. If the stockpiled provisions of the Samhain harvest were not sufficient to last through the entire winter, ewe's milk (and its accompanying dairy derivatives) was the most immediate source of fresh food and a vital element to sustaining human life. In Ireland, the Imbolc feast was often celebrated with lamb's meat.

 

On February 2, the secular world acknowledges Groundhog Day, when the arrival of spring is determined by the presence or lack of the groundhog's shadow. Weather divination was common to Imbolc, and the weather of early February was long held to be a harbinger of spring. On Imbolc, the crone Cailleach's grip of winter begins to loosen. She goes forth in search of kindling so that she may keep her fires burning and extend the winter a little longer. If Imbolc is rainy and cloudy, she will find nothing but damp twigs unsuitable for burning and will be unable to prolong the winter. If the day is dry and kindling is abundant, she will have plenty of fuel to feed her fire and prolong the cold winter. Spring will be very far away. This is the probable origin of the fabled groundhog's shadow and its effect on the coming of spring---a modern weather divination that echoes Celtic folk beliefs of the past.

 

Imbolc celebrations were inextricably linked to the worship of Brighid. The lighting of candles was customary, signifying the growing strength of the sun and the lengthening of the days. The various regions of Ireland had equally various traditions of observance. Work was usually halted, and farmers would plow a symbolic furrow or plunge a ceremonial spade into the earth in an invocation of a bountiful harvest.

 

To access the power of Brighid the healer, people would leave ribbons or strips of cloth outdoors to catch the early morning dew and the first light of dawn. These ribbons were referred to as a Brat Bride, meaning Brighid's cloak, and were placed on the body to cure ailments. Front doors were often left open to entice Brighid to enter. Often, ashes from the fire were gathered and spread upon the doorstep on February eve. In the morning, if any footprints appeared in the ashes, this was taken to mean that Brighid had indeed visited and was considered a promise of good fortune.

J.A. Nock

[Dept of PMM Artists & things]

 

~ Imbolc ~

First Light In The Dark Of Winter

 

THE FIRST STIRRINGS OF NEW LIFE are felt as the Great Wheel turns from winter to spring. Water begins to move beneath the ice. We notice the lengthening of days. Dreams conceived on the Winter Solstice begin to take root. Although the weather is still wintry, there is no turning back on the journey to the sun's return. Winter's darkness begins to loosen its grip, and new beginnings are seen all around as spring approaches. This is a time for rebirth and healing, sacred to Brighid, Goddess of poetry and arcane learning.

 

Brighid is unique among the Celtic pantheon.

While the majority of Celtic deities were associated with features of the land and were usually confined to a specific geographical area, the worship of Brighid was, in contrast, very widespread. Her name comes from the Celtic root Brig, meaning "exalted." Considered to be a bringer of civilization, she is called the High One of Strength, daughter of the Dagda. The Dagda was the Celtic god of fertility and supreme deity of the land.

 

Brighid was the mother of Ruadan, half giant and half god. Early myths avow her a consort, the prominent Irish King, Bres Mac Elatha. Bres was appointed king by the Tuatha De Danaan and married to Brighid in a politic attempt to forge an alliance with Formorian sea-giants. The worship of Brighid originated in the southeast region of Ireland known as Leinster and was attended by an all-female priesthood. She is often characterized as having two sisters, or alternately, a triple aspect whose attributes also include healing and smithcraft.

 

Many sources purport that Brighid the Goddess was assimilated into St. Brigit of Christian lore. Certainly there are striking similarities between the Goddess and the saint. The shrine of St. Brigit in Kildare is attended by nineteen nuns, echoing the exclusively female priesthood of the Goddess Brighid. Addtionally, many of the stories surrounding St. Brigit prove somewhat impossible for a single mortal woman to accomplish. Her legend claims she was born at sunrise and was so chaste a woman that she gouged out her own eyes in protest of her impending marriage and became a nun instead.

 

Other accounts claim she was a friend to the Virgin Mary, and in fact was Mary's midwife when the baby Jesus was born. She has also been described as Jesus' foster mother, and it is said she assisted Mary in her search for her son when he was lost in the temple and was later found instructing the rabbis. It does not take a huge leap of the intellect to discern the improbability that a blind nun from Ireland was able to escape the confines of time, let alone the limits of transportation, to be present in Bethlehem for the Nativity. The lines between the Goddess and the saint are blurred, and Imbolc is celebrated as Candlemas, or the Candle Mass in honor of  St. Brigit to this day.

 

J.A. Nock