Today is a Day of Celebration.
Today the first visible signs of the New Year appear us. Ideas, born at Winter Solstice now begin to demand we pay attention to them. Seeds planted and covered with snow, finally break through the hard ground and take in the sun.
Time has passed since we wrote our resolutions at Winter Solstice and consigned to the back pages of our journals. Blurted words and high ideals sung with Auld Lang Syne have faded from our memory.
But, they do still shine in a tiny corner at the core of our being. Waiting …
There’s a reason, among many, that the Sabbats# come around every six weeks. (give or take a few days) It’s just enough time for us to see some physical results of our endeavours, or, soon enough to remind us to get our butts into gear and take care of business.
We give thanks for this Time, as the days grow longer and warmth begins to return to the Land.
Blessed Be.
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“Whatever you do, do it with all your might. Work at it, early and late, in season and out of season, not leaving a stone unturned, and never deferring for a single hour that which can be done just as well now” – P.T. Barnum – 1810-1891, showman, politician, businessman, and entertainer.
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# The Sabbats – (reverse for the Southern Hemisphere)
Winter Solstice – 20-23 December
Imbolc/Candlemas/Brigid’s Day – 2nd February
Spring Equinox – 20-23 March
Beltane – 1st May
Summer Solstice – 20-23 June
Lammas – 1st August
Autumn Equinox – 20-23 September
Samhain/All Hallow’s Eve/ Hallowe’en – 31st October
Note: Not everyone who celebrates these Sabbats agrees on the names or even the exact dates, but one thing is certain, they do make the world go round!
Whenever Groundhog Day comes around, I wonder what was the basis of it. But, never enough to actually go find out. This is the first time I’ve heard of Imbolc, Candlemas, and Brigid’s Day. They must be connected to Groundhog Day somehow. Good cheer to you and the Missus.
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Thanks Susieee . . . I hadn’t made the connection with Groundhog Day (funny how these things seem so simple, with hindsight!) but it makes sense.
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Thanks for reminding me! Despite all the Celtic research for Yseult, I lose track of such dates on a regular basis. But then, I don’t even always remember the dates celebrated on the contemporary western calendar … call me a-religious!
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You’re welcome! … I’m going to do a post on each of the Sabbats from now on … part of my new game plan.
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I didn’t know about the six week sabbats…interesting!
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I think our ancestors realised that four celebrations (the sSlstices and Equinoxes) were not enough to sustain the spiritual health of their communities, and it made sense to include the ‘cross-quarter’ days, as they’re called.
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We cats have our own times but yours are very interesting!
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Glad you found them so! 😀
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