The candles of Imbolc… to purify and initiate the return of light and warmth. The goat’s milk to nourish the upcoming season – all in celebration of Celtic goddess Brigid. The one who represents the virgin aspect of the Great Goddess reborn from the Crone of Winter. It’s definitely a feminine festival. Great time for women to welcome the maiden aspect of the goddess as embodied by Brigid.The first Imbolc ritual was by the Temple of the Spiral Path, following a very Celtic tradition with hoop hopping and bardic show. We hopped the hoop 3 times, we laughed, we admired songs and stories, all while having cakes (notice the soda bread with raisin spiral)and ale.

The other ritual was by Wiccan Family Temple. Starting with candle procession into the dark room headed by the person carrying the crown of light and placing it at the head of Brigid’s bed. As each person entered the doorway they were given a candle and directed forward to form a circle.

Imbolc is also the time of year when initiations and dedications are conducted in the Pagan religions. But on the personal level, it is a good time to set intention for the upcoming year. That’s what we did loud and clear standing in the candle-lit circle. So mote it be!

And last Imbolc ritual this year was held by Hekate’s Sacred Temple Torchbearer of the Crossroads. As the name suggests the transition point of the threefold Goddess energies from those of Crone to Maiden was especially celebrated and meditated upon.

A week later, just right before the blizzard, I went to Vermont’s Camp Neringa for the celebration of Baltic pagan festival/carnival of fire, dress up and fat-eating. It’s a very old pagan tradition of “scaring the winter away” usually celebrated in the very midst of winter. Last year I wrote a detailed post about it here: http://witchesofnewyork.com/uzgavenes-lithuanian-mardi-gras-at-camp-neringa-vermont/ This year I will only share several key moments as it was very similar.

Light is returning
Although it is the darkest hour
No one can hold back the dawn…