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From: Mike <>
Subject: Candlemas:-)...
Date: Sun, 02 Feb 2003 11:52:03 -0600


Sooo, Today is "Candlemas",
Get outdoors, dig in the garden,
Dance and sing. Have Fun!
Springtime is coming soon;-)
Mike
*********************
Candlemas, Oimelc, Brigid, Imbolc

Which day?
February 2
Earliest Observance?
Fourth Century
Demographic Practice?
Roman Catholic,
Anglican, and Wiccans

The celebration of Candlemas comes from two separate events including
the
presentation of the Christ Child in the temple and the purification of
the Blessed
Virgin Mary. It is 40 days after the celebration of the birth of Christ
which under
the Law of Moses was the first time after conception a mother could
enter the
temple. (Leviticus 12:6-7) When Joseph and Mary entered the temple,
both
Simeon and Anna recognized the divinity of the Child.

Today it is recognized primarily by Roman Catholic and Anglican
churches.

To Wiccans, this day is known as Brigantia, Oimelc, Brigid, Brigit, or
Imbolc. It
marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring--a day when newborn
lambs
begin to nurse and buried dormant seeds begin to stir within the earth.
The pagan
Irish called it Brigit after the goddess of smithcraft, healing, and
poetry while the
Norse and Saxons referred to her as Birgit, the lusty, spring-loving
consort of Ullr,
the god of winter..
As with a number of Christian holidays, they were fashioned after
Pagan holidays and
rituals to convert and unite common people from Pagan worship to
Christianity.

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