Candlemas - Ignite Desires
Candlemas is a cross-quarter day around February 2nd in the Northern Hemisphere, and the mid-point between two seasonal changes – Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox. Candlemas, is the Christian version, and best known modern name of a much older sacred date. It is also called Groundhogs Day in the US, Imbolc or St. Brigid's Day in Scotland and Ireland, and La Chandeleur in present-day France.
The root holiday in the Western Hemisphere was celebrated by the ancient Celts, and perhaps even earlier civilizations, to honor their Goddess Brigid. She was a fire goddess who governed the hearth, home, fertility, creativity and inspiration. Once Christianity took hold in Europe and demoted Brigid from Goddess to Saint, it became St. Brigid Day which is still celebrated in modern day Ireland.
It's customary for Catholics to bring candles to church to be blessed and returned home as a lucky talisman on Candlemas. The connection to fire is pronounced, as the origin of the ancient holiday celebrated a fire goddess.
Green Gamine’s Candlemas candle is scented with sweet, buttery crêpe because throughout history, this date has universally been celebrated with grain-based foods such as crêpes, pancakes or oat cakes. Present-day France celebrates La Chandeleur by honoring the return of sunny days. Crêpes symbolize the sun and it is believed to eat one on La Chandeleur ensures prosperity for the coming year.
No matter the name or version of the holiday celebrated, the energy tied to this time of the year is centered around fortuitous beginnings, exploring inspiration, dreams and passions. We initiate the cycle of a new year by “Igniting Passions”. By physically igniting the flame of your passion, you are symbolically lighting the path to your desires.
Simple ways to celebrate Candlemas:
Create an intention journal for the year to capture goals, record dreams, map new ideas and plot the course of a fresh cycle
Eat crêpes to ensure prosperity for the coming year
Designate a sacred Candlemas candle to ignite your intentions for the new year ahead (we can help you out with that)