Imbolc Dawn, fabrics, 10x12 in by Jude Spacks
This has been one of the longest winters I've ever known. The heavy snow had me almost housebound and there have been too many days when the weather is simply grey and I begin to wonder if we will ever see the sun again.
But the days are getting longer and I was delighted to discover that today is officially Imbolc - the pagan festival that celebrates the beginning of spring.
So, Happy Imbolc to everyone! Here's to more sun coming our way!
(Of course, if you live in the Southern Hemisphere it isn't Imbolc at all, but I send you my best wishes anyway.)
21 COMMENTS:
Hi!
Happy Imbolc day to you pagan people!
Did you know it's also Groundhog day in the good ol US of A (hey that rhymed!!!)???
:-)
I think these should be national holidays, I really do!
My personal first day of spring begins when my feet are freed from wearing boots. Nuff with the boots already!
Take care
x
Kitty, I don't even know what Groundhog Day is! Oh dear. Have a happy day, whatever it is for you. I'm thinking about sunshine and spring flowers, even though I can't see any at the moment.
Hi
I'm not in America! Me and the Cat are in Herts.
It's just I'm whizzing through a lot of American blogs about cooking and baking and having tea parties (don't ask, don't ask..!!)
and they all say it's Groundhog day - whatever that is. I must google it really, I must.
:-)
Take care
x
Kitty, I was a bit confused there because I'd felt sure you were in England and then you wrote about Groundhog day. I thought maybe I'd got it wrong and you were in the States. (It wouldn't be the first time!)
Imbolc sounds fantastic. So I shall celebrate it with a cup of tea and a slice of something yummy.
Oddly enough, it's been grey here all morning, but has brightened up some time during the past 10 mins. Such is the power of Imbolc.
Whirl, that sounds like a good way to celebrate! Sadly, Imbolc hasn't resulted in any sun here at all. I'm having to imagine it.
Happy Imbolc Day, all!
Groundhog Day.
On February 2nd the groundhog comes out of his hibernation (I don't know how the groundhog knows it's February 2nd) and leaves his burrow. If he sees his shadow in the snow (sunny, cold day) then he gets scared and returns to his burrow to hibernate another six weeks. If he doesn't see his shadow (cloudy and warmer) he stays out and spring arrives.
Basically, all Groundhog Day means is that there are only six weeks left in winter. There's some kind of big to do in Pennsylvania about the groundhog.
Thanks, Bevie. I don't know if it works for hedgehogs but I can tell you that when this hedgehog leaves her burrow today she won't be casting any shadow! I take it that's meant to be a good sign.
Just don't run and hide. Be brave. Only six weeks to go. And it just might start warming up early.
I'll try not to run and hide but it's a tempting thought!
Happy Imbolc Day to all.
Just a note on groundhog day:
German tradition holds that if a hibernating animal casts a shadow on Feb. 2 — the Christian holiday of Candlemas — winter will last another six weeks. If no shadow is seen, legend says spring will come early.
And yes there will be six more weeks of winter according to the Pennsylvania groundhog this AM.
Forgot to mention, I just love the fabric art. Absolutely beautiful!!!
Ann, let's hope it works: there have been no shadows here today! And yes, the art work is lovely. I've linked to the site of the woman who made it but I'll stick another link here for luck http://www.stinkwanink.com/2008/02/imbolcbrigidcandlemasgroundhogs-day.html
I take it you have not seen Groundhog Day with Bill Murray.
Punxsutawney Phil (in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania) is sort of famous here. Funny part of it is, Phil is a girl. Seems girl groundhogs are more amenable to this sort of manhandling than the boys. And it wouldn't look good to have the mayor bit by the predictor of winter (or the impending lack thereof).
Punxsutawney Phil
Love that fabric and Happy Imbolc to all.
Of course, it's pretty damn sexist that they thought the groundhog had to be perceived as male, but this particular tradition seems to date back to pretty damn sexist times. Might be nice if someone changes that up a but and gives us Punxsutawney Phyllis.
Shall we start a writing campaign?
:-)
Sarah, no I haven't seen Groundhog Day but I got the idea it was about someone living the same day again and again.
I'm sure there is sexism in operation but can't Phil be short for Phyllis now? And incidentally, Whirl's cat Geoff is a female so there's a good precedent for a female with a traditional male name!
Yes, it is spring, even though it's February, and I know because I saw a robin on January 27! The first robin of the year!! In January!! I've been looking for the first spring robins since childhood and i don't think I ever saw one in Jan. So happy springtime! And the artwork is beautiful btw.
Phil as a girl's name is fine by me, but they keep calling her a boy. They did admit in an interview a few years ago that she's a he, but it hasn't changed how they refer to her in this ceremony.
Karen, yay! to spring. Not much sign of it here but I live in hope and the days are definitely longer.
Sarah, OK, that is totally sexist!
I'm with ya. I'm SO wintered out!
It's gonna snow here tonight - just started. Another 4 to 6 inches.
All I know is, I'd have been a big crabby mess in the Little Ice Age.
Robin, not more snow! I agree with you about the Ice Age. Roll on summer.
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