Candlemas, 2023

[covenrochester]

We have given the esoteric symbolism of Candlemas in a previous post. It is a feast of the goddess, light, and purification.

https://covenrochester.dreamwidth.org/2351.html

The New Moon after Candlemas this year is 20 February. It is a wonderful time to easily move things out of your life that you do not need: books, clothing, papers, other personal detritus. Gift, donate, sell, recycle, upcycle, throw away. This cleaning time is a time to look back on your prior path of who you were, or who you thought you should be. Give it up. You have other foci in the present and the future. While doing this, a Witch will focus on the image of a broom or besom.

The Great Goddess is like an image of a Triple Flame reflected in a pool of water. The image of the Water-Bearer, itself, is made out of the burning fire of stars [1]. The Flame of the Maiden inspires. The Flame of the Mother purifies or renews. The Flame of the Crone transforms, i.e., changes the form of something into another thing.

If you are open to it, too, this is the Sabbat when the Great Goddess will give you a personal gift. But, in exchange, she will require something in return, and perhaps a quest for you to gain that something to return to Her.

The importance of this Sabbat cannot be overstated. Make a "Brighid Cross" if you must. Smile with the infant Son/Sun. Admire the snowdrops. Honor the lambing. Plan your spring garden. Make Macaroni and Cheese, or the Plate of Three Tastes. But for the Goddess's sake, do not shun Her Mysteries in favor of those little things.

If you have no idea what I am talking about, stop reading books and go find the Wise Ones.

[1] Well, technically the burning of stars is not fire, per se, but nuclear explosion. Fire requires oxygen, and there is no oxygen in space. Just so, the Sun of our own solar system is not "on fire." There are very important spiritual teachings here, both with respect to the combustion of the Sun and the presence of terrestrial fire on Earth. "Sun light" is not the same as "Earth fire," although a Witch, of course, and other clever people, can turn the former into the latter.



*** Blessed be to those who serve the Great Mother and the Horned Father.

* Copyright to Coven Rochester