from shamanswell.org
By Bill on February 1, 2011 – 8:16am
Background on the Pagan Festival
Imbolc is a festival of the Celtic Wheel of the year. Some background on Imbolc from TheWhiteGoddess:
This holiday is also known as Candlemas, or Brigid’s (pronounced BREED) Day. One of the 4 Celtic “Fire Festivals. Commemorates the changing of the Goddess from the Crone to the Maiden. Celebrates the first signs of Spring. Also called “Imbolc” (the old Celtic name).
This is the seasonal change where the first signs of spring and the return of the sun are noted, i.e. the first sprouting of leaves, the sprouting of the Crocus flowers etc. In other words, it is the festival commemorating the successful passing of winter and the beginning of the agricultural year. This Festival also marks the transition point of the threefold Goddess energies from those of Crone to Maiden.
Wikipedia has more on the history Wheel of the Year here.
Here’s more on the The Wheel of the Year from TheWhiteGoddess: . . . Read complete report