Blessed Be.
In the Celtic realm, our closest would be Yule and/or Imbolc (the lines between the two tend to get blurred by modern interpretation, and candlemas is just a later "Christianism" which seems to seek to cover both, as far as I can tell). This found as a quick description, but there's (obviously) much more:
Quote:
Yule: (Around December 21) The Goddess gives birth to a son, the God. This is in no way an adaption of the Christian holiday of Christmas (nor of the Christian "God"). The Winter Solstice had been viewed as a time of divine birth long before Christianity. Yule is the shortest day of the year. Since the God is also the Sun, this marks the point of the year when the sun is reborn, and the days get longer. Wiccans sometimes celebrate Yule just before dawn, so the Sun coming up is a big finale. Since this is the time of year when the sun is reborn, the Wicca light fires and candles to celebrate it's returning light. The Goddess rests after Her delivery.
Imbolc: (Feb2): This marks the recovery of the Goddess after giving birth to the God. This is a Sabbat of purification after the long winter. It
is also a festival of light and fertility. Imbols is also known as Feast of Tourches, Oimelc, Lupercalia, Feast of Pan, Snowdrop Festival, Feast of Waxing light and no doubt many other names. This is a traditional time for initiations into covens. Self-dedication rituals can be performed or renewed at this time.
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Those who know know that there is more; it just isn't necessary to go into that depth for this. |
