Celebrating Candlemas Day

 Today many people celebrate Imbolc (it is no where near spring) and even Ground Hog's Day (if it even resemble a prairie dog we aren't trusting it!)... we celebrate Candlemas Day.

It is Candlemas Day and as the saying goes -

If Candlemas Day be fair and bright

Winter will have another fight

If Candlemas Day brings cloud and rain

Winter won't come again

If Candlemas Day be dry and fair

The half o the winter's to come and mair

If Candlemas Day be wet and foul

The half o the winter's gone at yule

Candlemas is where we celebrate the Presentation of Our Lord in the temple.  Jesus is a light to the Gentiles.... even the world and for that we celebrate!

We light candles! Lots of candles! 

And I made ice luminaries.   Cut a gallon water bottle in half. 

Put a jar or plastic cup inside (to be able to put a candle in the luminary).

Fill with rocks to hold them down and they don't float. 

Add decorations... and fill the outer ring with water. 

Put in the freezer overnight and they freeze solid. 

The next day...

Then to get the jars out I put a metal knife in the jar and added hot water. The knife helps so the jar doesn't break. I don't know why it happens but I have always done this with ice tea and it works.  This will help loosen the jar so you can take it out. Cut away the water jug.

Put in a candle. I had these outside but it was so windy the candle kept blowing out and for once, it was too warm and the ice was melting. 

I brought them inside for a bit. 

It is  better to do this on a snowy night and outside but here it is.

peace

Candlemas Day

Most people know today as Ground Hog's Day in the United States. It is also the Feast of the Presentation when Jesus is presented in the temple.  Also known as Candlemas. It is a midpoint of winter, between the shortness day of last year -winter solstice, and the spring equinox to come. It has been forty days since Christmas.  It is a time when the church would light all the candles from last year and remind us that Jesus is the Light of the World. 

So, we too, keep the tradition going.  When I got home I lit all the candles.   As I drove home late tonight and the Super Moon was slowly coming up through the clouds, the fog was also beginning to settle in.  Like life sometimes we let the gloom and doom settle around us.  I think about something my mom says.... " Everyone always say...go to the Light or there is a Light at the end of the tunnel.  It's too bad that during those times we don't realize that we are surrounded by the Light."

We light a candle for each of you tonight and pray you be surrounded by The Light. 

peace 

If Candlemas day be fair and bright, Winter will have another flight. If Candlemas day be shower and rain, Winter is gone and will not come again. (Traditional)