Imbolc, Candlemas, or St Brigit’s Day on February 1st is the fire festival celebrating the end of winter and the beginning of the new agricultural year. The ancients traditionally celebrated this holiday beginning at sundown on February 1st and continued throughout the day of February 2nd. Imbolc is also known as Candlemas, or Brigit’s Day. It’s the first of the four Celtic Fire Festivals; Samhain, Beltane, Imbolc, and Lughnasadh which symbolically marked the turning of the seasons. Soon the warm Sun will thaw the frozen Earth signaling dormant seeds to stir, the first leaves to sprout, and the yellow Crocus flowers to replace Winter’s snow and ice.
Ground Hog’s Day dates back to 1887. When the Pennsylvania Dutch immigrated from Europe they brought their German weather lore with them. Since Candlemas and “Badger Day” fell on February 2nd, they combined the two observances. According to weather lore, the Ground Hog is said to emerge from his winter’s hibernation on February 2nd. When a badger (or bear) emerged from his winter den and found a sunny day, the shadow he cast indicated six more weeks of winter. If the badger was greeted with an overcast day, it meant as an early spring.
News Flash! January 31st delivered a lunar trifecta: the Super Blue Blood Moon in the heart centered sign of Leo! The super blue moon passed through Earth’s shadow giving viewers who were in the right location, a total lunar eclipse. While the Moon was in the Earth’s shadow it took on a reddish tint, known as a “blood moon.” A super moon is when the moon is 30 percent closer to Earth, making it appear larger, brighter and much more luminous. During this time, the world will shift and forever there will be a “before and after” that we will all remember for years to come, if not for the rest of our lives. There is no over-exaggerating the significance of this lunar event; in fact, the last time we experienced such an occurrence was over 150 years ago! Three is the number of the divine — the holy trinity which represents mind, body and spirit. So, what does this mean? In short, it means that the universe is trying to get our attention. What have you been working on for the last six months? What kind of change is your life supposed to take, but, you’ve been fighting it? Growth and change are linked hand in hand. The extraordinary energy from this moon is stronger than your resolve to ignore it.
There is No Full Moon in February! Seriously! The last time this happened was 1999. A February without a Full Moon happens about four times a century. February is the only month that this phenomenon is possible because the lunar cycle is longer than the number of days in February. As a result, January and March will usually have two Full Moons, as it does this year. We’ll experience a partial solar eclipse with the New Moon on February 15th in Aquarius. And the Sun will enter the Air Sign, Aquarius, on January 19th.
Hopefully, March will come in like a lion and go out like a lamb.
If you have any comments, questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me.
In Light & Love,
Shelly Seitz
