Celebrating the seasons

It seems like yesterday we were celebrating the Solstices (Winter in Oz and Summer in the N. Hemisphere) but it was only roughly six weeks ago! Now we celebrate the return of Spring. Nature's cues come with the sprouting of saffron crocuses, snowdrops or new tree buds. The first born offspring begin to appear - even the term 'Off spring' meaning 'OF' Spring references the season we herald in.

Honouring Tradition

Traditional Celtic festivals are pivotal points in the Celts calendar, marking a time to reflect on the season past and what the future season will hold. Of course they represent a time of year - not a particular date, with seasonal fairs celebrating calendrical points in time, at sacred places. The sacred places, landmarks, temples or megalithic structures, often heralded an astronomical event bringing attention to the two main luminaries in the sky - sun and moon. The four cardinal points of year marked by pairs of Solstices and Equinoxes and combine with the four cross quarter divisions to create the eight solar divisions - Imbolc (1-2 Feb.), Beltaine (1-2 May), Lughnasa (1st Aug.) and Samhain (1st Nov.). In fact the origins of the Pagan calendar are believed to be lunar but appeared to have adopted the solar calendar around the time of Christianity, when Christian traditions celebrate Candlemans (Imbolc), May Day Virgin Mary (Beltaine), Lammas (Lughnasa), and All Saints Day (Samhain).

Imbolc (1-2 February)

In the Southern Hemisphere the eight seasonal markers are flipped. Therefore the 2nd Feb. is Autumnal time downunder and denotes – Lammas or Lughnassadh. While in my homeland of Ireland it’s the opposing festival that is celebrated in the month of February - Imbolc – Springtime.

Imbolc (or Imbolg) is a Celtic name, that translates as ‘in the belly’ or some say ‘ewes milk’. Since the 9th Century, it’s was also known as Candlemas, when the Pope abolished the pagan Festival and marked instead the ‘Feast of the purification of the Blessed Virgin’ when candles were lit in her honour. Celtic goddess Brigid is also made reference and once again the Pagan is dethroned with Christianity and Saint Brigid is honoured on the 1st February.

Grounhog day is a traditional custom in the U.S and Canada, traditionally observed by German communities. Weather lore is closely linked to animal lore to denote the seasons. It’s said if the Hog emerges from its burrow on this day and sees a shadow due to clear weather, it will retreat to its den and winter will persist for six more weeks! This year (2020) the Roden did not see see his shadow, which, according to legend, means an early Spring and warmer temperatures are are on the way. (See previous post on Beltaine for more info on the three methods /customs used to marking a season).

In the case of China, the solar calendar is broken into 24 seasonal markers – two markers each month. Hailing from the Chinese agricultural almanac (farmer’s calendar), 12 markers indicate the beginning of each month and 12 mark the mid point of the month. A calendar year begins at the ‘Start of Spring’ which occurs in February in the Chinese Solar Calendar. The beginning of the Chinese Lunar New Year fluctuates according to the second New moon after the Winter Solstice. So February is classed as the 1st month of the year. While August is the 7th month in the Chinese calendar and it corresponds to the seasonal markers ‘Coming of Autumn’ and ‘End of Autumn Heat’.

Marking the day

Festivals then and now, are celebrated with song and dance, although the dances and customary feasts were ritualistic in nature in times past. Whatever seasonal produce was in abundance graced the feast tables and sacred herb buds were gathered. And like many festivals, fire purification ceremonies were observed.

Imbolc is all about birthing what has gestated in winter. Milk was abundant from lactating animals, hence the reference to Imbolc (Im, is Irish for butter). So honouring dairy produce is an ideal way to honour this festival marker.

As an alumna of a St. Brigid’s school the festival is indelibly marked with the making of St. Brigid crosses! The fresh green reeds are pulled (not cut) to fashion a cross. Of course it resembles a Christian cross, but the cross symbol in more ancient times was a sun wheel marker. The Goddess Brigid was also closely venerated for her artisan craft skills - especially silversmithing and weaving.

Visiting wells and honouring water streams spirits was also a tradition, although the word ‘holy’ is now a prefix to ‘well’, since Christian times. As the festival is also linked to Candlemas there is a strong linking to light and candles. So perhaps a simple lighting of candles or trying your hand at making some ethical candles could honour the day.

Since Purification and cleansing is so closely linked to new beginnings and getting ready for the new season, it's an ideal time to spiritually cleanse and space clear  your home or perhaps re arrange your furnishings - in accordance with Feng Shui. Imbolc is very close to the Chinese New Year (CYN), when a host of cultural customs are undertaken by Asian communities to welcome and prepare for an auspicious and abundant year ahead. Preparation for the CYN is traditionally very focused on Spring cleaning, cleansing your home, honouring various deities, removing last years energies and preparing for the Earth Luck in coming new year.

And if you’re lucky enough to be in the Emerald Isle, then take a visit to Co. Meath. In Meath, a place called Tara has long been linked to the Ireland’s High Kings. The Neolithic Mound of the Hostages (Dumha na nGiall), an ancient passage tomb built in 3350 and 2800BC is located in the Tara-Skryne Valley. The dome structure mound has a short passage that is aligned to cross-quarter days in November and February, corresponding to the rising sun of Samhain and Imbolc.

You can find more info on our Space Clearing or Feng shui consultations to help you capitalize on the prosperous energies of the year. We ushered in the Chinese Lunar New Year (25th Jan. 2020) and the Chinese Solar New Year happens in a few days time on 4th Feb. 2020.

“Living eye to eye with environmental wisdom ”

— FENG SHUi iSM

ⓒ FENG SHUi iSM