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Druidry Druid Druidic Treelore
Sacred Wheel of Seasons
Imbolc from February 1st - 2nd was a fire festival and time of great joy (Oimelc), omens, of portents, of signs, of spring buddings, of stirrings, of passion's first blush, of the whispered bird kisses of youthful love, and of the glimmerings of future potentials.
Imbolc was the rite of the divine need fire and the Goddess Brighid. Imbolc was celebrated by letting the hearth fire die out completely the night before then rekindling the fire with special care the following morning, using twigs from seven to nine different trees.
Other Imbolc customs were to plant fruit trees in the morning and to pour milk or cream into the earth in thanksgiving for the return of fertility. Auguries about the promise of new life were also done at this household fire festival since the end of winter was in sight.
Spring Equinox from March 21st - 22nd was a midway station (Alban Eiler; Vernal Equinox) on the seasonal wheel between winter and summer when the earth stirred from winter slumbers, awakened, and was receptive to wisdom.
Spring Equinox was a
"Light of the Earth Day", day and night stood together as equals. Spring Equinox
was a celebration of the first day of spring and a time of sun strengthening, of
blossoming, and of nest building. The Spring Equinox was celebrated by hiding
eggs or rolling them down hills before eating them. During the Spring Equinox
crops were sown.
Springtime Greenery Above Snowmelt Stream Waters
During the Spring Equinox, seeds and flowers were planted in honor of the Earth Mother and sprinkled with well water. During the Spring Equinox, group poems were read with verve to renew bonds with nature.
Beltane from May 1st - 2nd was a time of peak blossoming (May Day, Cetsamhain) and the planting of new crops when fire and fertility were waxing and increasing, Beltane, a bright and brilliant fire festival, which was opposite Samhain, heralded the full glory arrival of Summer.
Beltane was a " Return of Life" Festival, a time of peak blossoming, when fertility was waxing; as well as, a time of creative vitality when no matter your age, you felt young again and reconnected with your sensuality.
Beltane was also the time to rethink plans and goals and to make wish lists of desired future happenings. Beltane was celebrated as May Day by dancing around a pole.
On Beltane, twin bonfires
were lit, symbolizing the alchemical integration of the male and female aspects
and union of the polarities. On Beltane, young people leapt over the fire for
good fortune in finding a partner; while, travellers jumped it in hopes of safe
journeys... Continue on
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© 2002-2008 Maureen Grace Burns, Blessings Cornucopia. All Rights Reserved.
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