Happy Imbolc!
February 1st, 2008 by Gloria
Ground Hog day had never particular impressed me as a celebration day, but then I learned that it is actually based on a much more interesting festival in the Irish Calendar – namely, Imbolc.
According to the Wikipedia entry, “the holiday is a festival of the hearth and home, and a celebration of the lengthening days and the early signs of spring” and was originally dedicated to the goddess Brigid.
This speaks either to my 3rd generation Irish roots, or to the fact that we’re yet again facing an ugly icy commute home tonight here in Maine; but I am ready for any sign of spring, so happy Imbolc!
February 1st, 2008 at 8:58 am
Very Interesting and did you know that St. Valentines day was an attempt by the Christian Church to replace the Pagan Roman Fertility Festival of Lupercalia where all sorts of naughty things went on ( for 3 days no less……) with something more errrrrrm Christian.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lupercalia