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| "Sunburst" |
Hello Friends! :)
I've been fooling around with the digital art program again. It's fun, but kind of bores me to be honest! I think if I had a proper digital pen it would make things more fun. It's on my wish list for next winter!
Do you believe the Groundhogs today? They didn't see their shadow from what I've read, so that means an early spring. (Except stubborn Shubenacadie Sam, Nova Scotia's Groundhog...HE saw his shadow...and I am planning on moving there eek!)
I often mention that I follow the belief system of my Celtic ancestors. February 2nd is called Imbolc (also called Candlemas). Today is the day halfway between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox, traditionally marking the beginning of Spring. Imbolc is the Fire Festival commemorating the successful passing of winter and the beginning of the agricultural year. Though you wouldn't know it in my neck of the woods!
This is what my world looks like today. So if I believe the following weather lore, I have some hope!!
If Candlemas day be sunny and bright, Winter again will show its might.
If Candlemas day be cloudy and grey, Winter soon will pass away.
Some Celtic Lore:
One of the more malevolent creatures in Celtic folklore, the Cailleach, would spend the day of Imbolc collecting firewood for herself if winter was to last a while longer. To do this, she would need a bright and dry day to collect her wood, so if Imbolc was wet and windy, that meant the Cailleach had gone to sleep and winter would soon be over.
Whatever lore you may or may not believe, let's all hope for an early spring! A Blessed Imbolc to those who celebrate! 🌻
Love this post on Celtic lore! Let's hope for an early spring!
ReplyDeleteThank you for telling us that. I'm Irish but I don't know any Celtic lore. What I go by is nature and I smelled a skunk which is usually a sign plus my daffodils are up about 3 inches.....just sayin.....this is early for us in the South too. I'm betting on an early Spring!
ReplyDeleteIn Ireland, the "Old Ways" had only 2 seasons. Summer and Winter. So Imoblc makes perfect sense. This is the thresh hold between Winter and Summer.
ReplyDeleteNahhh, never pay any attention to those groundhogs!!!! -grin- Just another money making scheme, for the places, it is held in.
Wishing you a Blessed Imbolc!
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Even though today is warm and sunny (shock!) I don't connect anything about February with Spring. But it's a nice story. :)
ReplyDeleteHAHA...not sure I go with the shadow or not! haha. Silly Phil, guess we will see if spring is around the corner or not.
ReplyDeleteIt's been in the single digits at night down here, and we had some snow, but nothing like your picture. Still, if you have to have snow, the woods is a peaceful place for it!
ReplyDelete(HAHAHAHA - Debra's comment!)
ReplyDeleteRain, let's hope for an early spring. I'm counting on it! :)
Let us hope for an early spring - but a late summer.
ReplyDeleteThanks Rain! Hope the Candlemas day is correct for you, and for me too...lol.
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping for an early spring - being teased this week with warm weather and rain. But snow is forcasted next week so I'm pretty sure we've got a while yet to wait. As I get older, all the seasons seem to shorten. Winter never seems short enough, though. ;^)
ReplyDeleteThanks Christine :) I think we'll be very lucky if we have an early spring here, I'm keeping hope! :)
ReplyDeleteHi Sam :) Oh that's neat about the skunk. I'm jealous of your daffodils!!! We we start to see robins, we know winter is over. I'm keeping my eyes peeled!
ReplyDeleteThanks Wisps of Words :) I think the whole groundhog thing is fun, but it's never accurate lol...it all has to do with the weather in my opinion!
ReplyDeleteHi Tpals :) I agree!! February does NOT equate to Spring with me ever!!!
ReplyDeleteLOL Debra, that made me laugh so loud!!! :)
ReplyDeleteHi Pam :) Let's see if Phil is right! I hope so! :)
ReplyDeleteHi Harry :) So nice to see your comment!! You're so right about the woods in winter. I love to walk with Charlie. She's the only one of the three dogs that can handle the cold for extended amounts of time. When I'm in the woods during winter, it's so peaceful! I complain a lot about the weather, but I love winter! :)
ReplyDeleteHi Martha :) I really hope we get an early spring this year! So far the winter has been brutal...
ReplyDeleteYes TB! I agree, a late summer would be fantastic!! :)
ReplyDeleteHi Dino :) I hope those weather watchers had their heads on straight when they came up with that lore lol! :)
ReplyDeleteHi Becki :) I agree, winter always seems to be the longest season. We have rain today, then it's plummeting down to -20 on the weekend, sigh...
ReplyDeleteHa! In my experience the groundhogs aren't often right! Not so sure about the other cultural traditions, but I say it's always safe to take them with a grain of salt, LOL.
ReplyDeleteRain,
ReplyDeleteSpring will get here whenever she pretty darn pleases, I think. :) This week we're experiencing spring-like conditions. It's so super crazy! Not that I'm complaining because I'm not and I am lovin' it but the temperature is expected to drop into the mid-40s over the weekend which isn't bad for late winter. It's that we're in the upper 60s and low 70s so you see my frustration. Plus it's going to get really cool which I am not looking forward to at all. I think Friday night the weatherman is calling for the low 20s. Brrr! Anywho, the folklore is really interesting stuff to read. I've never been one to follow such stuff but it's neat to learn about these things. :) We watched 'Ground Hog Day' Saturday night. That's such a fun movie!
I think I agree with you Leigh!! :)
ReplyDeleteHi Cathy :) I have my comments on moderation after 3 days. I've found that I keep missing some if I don't moderate them!! :) I love that movie too! :) Yeah, the weather is wonky here too. It's supposed to rain on Friday then go down to the deep freeze again on Saturday, so everything will be like an ice rink out there.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great post Rain! I love your art and I love all the folklore! Big Hugs!
ReplyDeleteI just read Debra's comment! LOL!
ReplyDeleteThanks Stacy :) Yeah, Debra's comment was a hoot! :))
ReplyDeleteHow beautiful it is in your neck of the woods. We have rain coming to the Bay Area here in California; it's been really off and on this winter, but whoever goes up to Tahoe will have some fresh snow to cut through.
ReplyDeletei loved the art and your thoughts so beautiful
ReplyDeletehow alike your thoughts and these blooms are :)
wishing you an early spring bursting with colors and flowers
hugs!
I remember we were sitting in the middle of a 2 day blizzard on Imbolc ... i so wish this winter will be over soon
ReplyDelete