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ImbolcImbolc

2005-01-16 - 11:31 a.m.
In a couple of weeks, one of the four Major Sabbats of the year will be upon us - Imbolc!

Imbolc is a major Sabbat because

a) It falls midway between a
solstice and an equinox and
b) It falls in one of the four Kerubic
signs (in this case Aquarius).

Imbolc is the time when we welcome the approaching Spring. In fact February 2nd is the mid-point between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox, but as the days are getting longerer, the hardest part of Winter is behind us, and the Earth prepares to send forth new
growth.

Imbolc is a time to do your spring cleaning, and to throw out any remaining Yule greenery you may have laying around. It is also your last chance to take down any remaining decorations before people start looking at you funny :>

It is also traditional for every candle in the house to be lit for a time, which is why in the christian calendar this sabbat is referred to as Candlemas.

Now Imbolc is a forward looking Sabbat in that we are not really celebrating a specific time, but looking forward to one, specifically, the Spring Equinox. It is because of this 'forward-looking' aspect of the Sabbat that 'Groundhog Day' evolved, when the Groundhog known affectionately as Punxatawnie Phil sticks his nose out of his layer and either sees or doesn't see a shadow. If he sees a shadow, then we have six more weeks of winter. Six weeks, by a
staggering coincidence, being the amount of time from Groundhog Day to the Spring Equinox.

To see the rest of the sabbats and in fact the whole wheel of the Year, follow this link.

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