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New beginnings and the approach of spring feature in Imbolc, a traditional Gaelic festival. Marking the halfway point between the winter solstice and spring equinox, the annual celebration falls ...
Imbolc is one of the four Gaelic seasonal festivals, along with: Beltane, Lughnasadh and Samhain. [3] Imbolc is mentioned in early Irish literature, and some evidence suggests it was also an important date in ancient times. It is believed that Imbolc was originally a pagan festival associated with the lambing season and the goddess Brigid.
Lughnasadh, Lughnasa or Lúnasa (/ ˈ l uː n ə s ə / LOO-nə-sə, Irish: [ˈl̪ˠuːnˠəsˠə]) is a Gaelic festival marking the beginning of the harvest season. Historically, it was widely observed throughout Ireland, Scotland, and the Isle of Man.
Imbolc is the traditional Gaelic name for 1 February and traditionally marks the first stirrings of spring. In Christianity it is Saint Brigid's Day, while 2 February is Candlemas. It aligns with the contemporary observance of Groundhog Day. It is time for purification and spring cleaning in anticipation of the year's new life.
An esbat / ˈ ɛ s b æ t / is a coven meeting or ritual at a time other than one of the Sabbats [1] within Wicca and other Wiccan-influenced forms of contemporary Paganism.. Esbats can span a wide range of purposes from coven business meetings and initiation ceremonies [2] to social gatherings, times of merriment, and opportunities to commune with the divine. [3]
The Gaulish Coligny calendar is the oldest known Celtic solar-lunar ritual calendar. It was discovered in Coligny , France, and is now on display in the Palais des Arts Gallo-Roman museum, Lyon. It dates from the end of the second century AD, [ 2 ] when the Roman Empire imposed the use of the Julian Calendar in Roman Gaul .
From these rituals, it is clear that the fire was seen as having protective powers. [15] Similar rituals were part of May Day or Midsummer customs in some other parts of the British Isles and mainland Europe. [32] Frazer believed the fire rituals are a kind of imitative or sympathetic magic. He suggests they were meant to mimic the Sun and ...
A vigil may be held on the eve of a major religious festival , observed by remaining awake—"watchful"—as a devotional exercise or ritual observance on the eve of a holy day. [4] Such liturgical vigils usually consist of psalms, prayers and hymns, possibly a sermon or readings from the Holy Fathers, and sometimes periods of silent meditation