We are just a couple of days away from Imbolc which also happens to be the first day of spring. Back when we were more agricultural our ancestors saw this as the first day of spring. This sounds very weird because every time we think of spring we think of flowers blooming trees budding birds nesting so on and so forth. For most of us, it is still quite cold, snow-covered, and very barren but the thing is this time of year is when milk starts to flow again. From mid to late January and through the first possibly the second week of February you have the lambing kidding and calving. Which gives us the first signs of spring, and new life with the birth of the baby animals and new life with the nourishment of milk.
In today’s world unless you are a farmer you don’t fully follow the old ways that may commemorate the seasonal changes. At one time it was very very important especially when you didn’t always have enough food to get you through winter. When the milk started to flow again you had some type of food to get you through the last legs of winter until the winter thaw broke and you could go harvest wild greens. With milk being a complete food you can survive off of that if you need to.
When Christianity took over they claimed this day as Candlemas (candle mass) which is the time of year when all the candles for the year are blessed. Also, this time of year in the Christian church is St Blaze day which also involves candles that are crossed and the priest would place the crossed candles at your throat to bless and keep you from getting sore throats. As fun as this may be if we think about it our ancestors wouldn’t have blessed candles on this day. All the candles were made months ago after the harvests, of animal fat (tallow candles) or bee’s wax. Certainly, you can bless your candles on this day if you wish for this author it makes more sense to do that around Yule during the festival of lights
Something you may wish to do is create yourself a garden blessing using milk. Since the quarter and cross-quarter festivals are for comuning with the God’s a better time to do this blessing may be the first new moon after Imbolc. this new moon blessing can be created where your offering is milk and by pouring it throughout the garden (or a central spot) you are pouring new life back into the land to bring forth a bountiful harvest.
I hope you take the time to try out gardening and to bless your garden (pots or land) to honor the old ways.
Until next time may your dreams come true and your days filled with magick.
