How do you celebrate Candlemas/Imbolg/Brighid?

[trystanofsorrow]

I know we just had Yule, but I am curious how some of the other members celebrate Candlemas/Imbolg/Brighid? Are there any particular activities you do to attune yourself with that time of year

Comments

[djennma]

Hi!

Imbolc has always been my favorite Sabbat--I've always seen it as the beginning of the New Year! :) But THIS Imbolc is going to be a little more special, as my daughter will be becoming a Dedicant this year! :)

As far as things that I've done (with other adults/teens, not too many kids because there haven't been too many in my community until VERY recently! :)): usually I do a Candle blessing or a cleansing/rededication of my tools and space. I've had rituals as elaborate as rigging up a mirror and a cloth and had people step into the Chamber with themselves and make their oaths for the coming year. (THAT was a cool ritual!)

Like I said, since this year is going to be my daughter's Dedication, it's going to be a little different, but we'll see what happens! :)

I just can't get my heart connected to the Summer Solstice--so I'll trade you ideas for THAT ritual, for ideas for this one! :D

[trystanofsorrow]

See I am a Summer Solstice baby! I LOVE the first day of Summer!

As Summer Solstice is the longest day and shortest night, for this Sabbat I had the idea of creating 'Sun Stones' (any yellow or orange stone will do-I got my glass beads from a Dollar store!). Basically you charge them with the Sun's energy and then you have a little bit of sunshine with you in the dark half of year!

For either Solstice you could also do a child friendly version of the battle between the Oak and Holly King or the battle between the dark and the light half of year. That is what we just did for our Yule. In the end the winner had won the crown of year (which was a crown with a five pointed star on it, but you could make one out of a natural materials rather easily I imagine).

Thank you for sharing your ideas :)

BB
tryst

[djennma]

No problem! :) I'm thinking of getting a RL family circle (not coven per se, since I don't think we'll be doing any Thaumaturgy w/small children running around! :D) together here in my town--I've been a "Community Leader" for years, but most of the rituals have been for college-age/adults. Now, my daughter is crying (literally) because "I'm the ONLY PAGAN KID AT SCHOOL!!!" and she doesn't get to see/meet others. I think it's time! :)

Like the idea of "Sun Stones"!! I even HAVE Sunstone beads (one of my favorite stones!! (I'm a triple-Fire baby: Sag Sun, Aries Moon, and Leo Rising!)!! Might make my daughter a necklace of them...:)

I'm new here, but I like this community already!! I'll do a more formal "introduction" post in a little bit! :)