Imbolc: Ancient Celtic festival of February 1st

Happy Imbolc! Today is one of the ancient fire festivals of the Celtic world, celebrating the pre-christian goddess Brigid. February 1st heralds the halfway mark between winter and spring. In olden days, commitment and perseverance were needed to survive the harshness of the season. So I ask you, what do you commit yourself to for the coming year? What pledge do you make to yourself? The first glimmers of our yearly life path have arrived! They are dependent on where we focus our energy.


From Wikipedia:

Brigid and Saint Brigid

In the Middle Ages, the goddess Brigid was syncretized with the Christian saint of the same name. According to medievalist Pamela Berger, Christian "monks took the ancient figure of the mother goddess and grafted her name and functions onto her Christian counterpart," St. Brigid of Kildare.
St. Brigid is associated with perpetual, sacred flames, such as the one maintained by 19 nuns at her sanctuary in Kildare, Ireland. The sacred flame at Kildare was said by Giraldus Cambrensis and other chroniclers to have been surrounded by a hedge, which no man could cross. Men who attempted to cross the hedge were said to have been cursed to go insane, die or be crippled.
The tradition of female priestesses tending sacred, naturally-occurring eternal flames is a feature of ancient Indo-European pre-Christian spirituality. Other examples include the Roman goddess Vesta, and other hearth-goddesses, such as Hestia.
Both the goddess and saint are associated with holy wells, at Kildare and many other sites in the Celtic lands. Well dressing, the tying of clooties to the trees next to healing wells, and other methods of petitioning or honoring Brigid still take place in some of the Celtic lands and the diaspora.


From the Independent Irish News:

"Here are a few facts you may not know about St. Brigid’s Day and the saint herself:

1. St. Brigid’s Day, on February 1st, officially marks the start the pagan festival of spring.

2. It is also known as ‘Imbolc’, or the Feast of Brigid, It celebrates the arrival of longer, warmer days and the early signs of spring.

3. ‘Imbolc’ literally means "in the belly" in the old Irish Neolithic language.

4. It is one of the four major "fire" festivals, referred to in Irish mythology. The other three festivals are Beltane, Lughnasadh, and Samhain.

5. Brigid is one of Ireland’s patron saints and was known also as a fertility goddess in Celtic mythology.

6. She is often referred to as ‘Brigit of Kildare’, and was said to be the founder of several monasteries of nuns, including that of Kildare. She is also associated with perpetual, sacred flames, and there is also a shrine dedicated to her in Kildare.

7. According to tradition, Saint Brigid was born at Fochart (or Fothairt), near Dundalk in Co Louth

8. One of the most common traditions of the day is to make a Saint Brigid's Cross.

These crosses are relatively simple to make, and traditionally, Brigid’s crosses are made on Brigid’s Eve, January 31st. They are usually made from fresh rushes, but you can also use straws if you don’t have them. They are made in a cross shape with a square shape in the middle and then four arms coming along each side.

 9. Some believe that the crosses have the power to protect the owner’s home from harm."

Love Horoscopes ~ February 2014

 Happy Valentine's Day. While I'm not an avid follower of Hallmark holidays, I do like a celebration of Love at any time. I see Valentine's Day as a harbinger of Spring, and of the heart, so in these respects it makes me happy.

Venus is currently in Capricorn, just recovering from her retrograde (backwards motion) throughout the month of January. The sign of Capricorn means Work, and many relationships came up for reassessment. Without the willingness to work they fell apart if not grounded on a firm foundation.

If you are single right now just rest assured, Love is coming for you :)

We are also in the middle of a Mercury retrograde which means to avoid signing contracts and buying electronic gear. It's a time when the Truth comes out between people. Mercury just entered Aquarius yesterday, giving us quicksilver intuition and inventiveness. Let your eccentric, creative ideas out to play.
 
 There are some challenging aspects in the sky this Valentine's Day. It's a Full Moon in Leo which amplifies a big square between the Sun/Mercury in Aquarius and Saturn in Scorpio. It can be a time of rebuilding structure and big creativity but can also cause tensions below the surface to erupt. Keep a low profile and focus on your growth, and take space if you need to. 

For the horoscopes below, read your Sun sign and your Rising sign. If you don't know your rising sign you can find it here by typing in your birth information.

Aries

You have new forward momentum in your life thanks to Venus's Direct motion in your House of Career. Any projects that were stalled or delayed in January are gaining speed and showering you with money and validation. Regarding Love, try to listen to your partner and let him or her lead the way. Your ruler, Mars, is in Libra for the next few months. This aspect is about being fair and balanced so give your partner equal time. The Saturn square on Valentine's Day is a huge reality check for relationships. Focus on listening and everything should go smoothly.


Taurus

Now that your ruler, Venus, is moving forward you are feeling more centered. Venus was moving backwards throughout January, asking you to retool your Life Perspective. She's back to forward motion - in Capricorn - which is harmonious for you Earth sign folks. Capricorn is the sign of ambition and work, so in the love arena this could mean taking a clear view of your partner (or someone you'd like to meet) and creating a plan on how you'd like things to develop. There's a Saturn square in Scorpio on Valentine's Day which can shine a harsh light on any conflicts bubbling under the surface. Patience is the best approach - it will be smooth sailing by Sunday.


Gemini

With Venus and Pluto doing a dirty dance in your House of Sex, Death and Taxes - you are bound to have the most exciting February of all. Certainly a steamy Valentine's Day. Try to avoid extreme thinking regarding relationships i.e. "you are my soul mate" or "we're done forever". Look for the middle ground and avoid dramas. With the Saturn in Scorpio square on Valentine's Day things could heat up and get REAL at the same time. It's OK to talk things out just don't make any big decisions about money or love until March. Your ruler, Mercury, is retrograde this month and playing tricks in your House of Perspective.


Cancer

With Jupiter in your sign, watch out for overeating, laziness and having money thrown at you. We'd all like to have your problems. This will be continuing until July 2014 so make the most of this influence! It only comes once every 12 years so if there's something you really want to do, NOW is the time. With Venus (Love) going backwards in your House of Partnerships in January, you improved the foundations of your important relationships. Now for more insight on Valentine's Day. Stay home and do art projects with your sweetie. There's a challenging aspect overhead that brings a harsh light to the reality factor of relationships, and creativity is your best outlet.


Leo

Well OK. Good news is it's a Full Moon in Leo today! That's good luck for you - a great time for you to shine. The challenging side is the square with Saturn in Scorpio going on today too. Saturn wants you to set realistic goals for your shining ideas. This square is a huge reality check for you, but Saturn usually makes things better if you take the long view. A good cure is to get out in the sunshine and focus on structure. What changes can you implement to make life better?


Virgo

The Valentine's Day Full Moon is lighting up your issues around job and health. Go for a massage with your sweetie and just chill. Your ruler, Mercury, is currently doing a backwards dance around the Sun in your House of Work and Habits. February is not the right time to start health programs - wait until March and then go for it! Work could be a little frustrating right now with plans delayed, computers misbehaving and outcomes uncertain, but this is only for the next couple of weeks. Focus on what you have control over and wait for March.


Libra

The Valentine's Day Full Moon is transversing your House of Romance! Beam all that Libra love out into the world. Avoid discussing finances though. The other good news your huge amount of drive and enthusiasm for the next few months! Mars, planet of Action, in your sign which doesn't happen often so make the most of it! Also, your ruler Venus is moving forward in your House of Environment. Improvements to your home and positive negotiations with roomies are possible now.


Scorpio

Communications should flow smoothly today, but with Mercury retrograding in your home environment, try to get out and explore. Saturn in your sign is activating squares with the Sun and Moon today which can feel tense. I think this is a great aspect because it shows you where you need to focus your energies for the strongest result. You've been rebuilding your life in a new way over the last year or so, and the Full Moon today can show your where some subtle changes will make a big difference.


Sagittarius


Venus is finally moving forward in your Money House! Plans are moving in the right direction again and you're receiving well deserved acknowledgement. Keep things light with love interests today since Mercury is running backwards through your House of Communication. Let someone else do the talking. The Saturn in Scorpio square is activating your mind today, giving you boundaries in your inner dialogue. Practice affirmations and positive thinking, even if it feels hokey.


Capricorn


January was a transformative month for you, and now you're experiencing the lovely aftereffects. Venus (Planet of Love and Money) has just finished her retrograde cycle through Capricorn and is now moving forward, bestowing strong love mojo and popularity enhancement. Appreciation at work is the best Valentine's Day present for a Capricorn. The Saturn square today might rattle your social circle today but just let it slide off you.


Aquarius

The Full Moon shines over to your sign from Leo (House of Partnerships), putting you in the middle of some huge personal growth. Relationships reach a culmination of sorts - either strengthening with a new structure or imploding if the foundation isn't solid. Just stay in the present moment and write down any insights you receive. Today is a juicy day for transformation and reflection. With Mercury running backwards through you sign, it's not the time to finalize or sign anything. Wait until March.


Pisces


The Valentine's Day Full Moon is lighting up issues around job and health. Go for a massage with your sweetie and just chill. Meanwhile Mercury is currently doing a backwards dance around the Sun in your House of Self Undoing. This placement can be really positive, allowing you to reassess your thinking and how you see yourself. In March when Mercury goes forward you'll be in a more centered place. Just focus on what you have control over, and that lovely Jupiter in Cancer creativity that's activated until July.

New Moon in Aquarius

Aquarius.
"It is the Dawning of...."

The Moon just entered Aquarius at 7:33pm Pacific this evening, becoming exactly New at 1:39pm tomorrow afternoon. There is a lot of electricity in the air.

Venus is stationing above our heads, preparing to go Direct in Capricorn on Friday at 12:49pm Pacific. Venus has been Retrograde (moving backwards) for the whole month of January - creating the desire to reevaluate all our relationships. Creativity has been on hold for weeks. I'm so glad to see the energy moving in forward again!!

Mercury is moving into Pisces on Friday at 6:29am, bringing strong intuition but fuzziness in communication. Mercury is also preparing to Retrograde next Thursday, February 6 at 1:43pm. Mercury will be Retrograde (going backwards) for all of February.

AND!!! This Friday begins the Year of the Wood Horse. This will be a very fast paced and exciting year. Very good for people born in the years of the Dog and Tiger - but challenging for those born in the Year of the Rat. Just keep a low profile and you'll be OK.

More to come soon!

Elizabeth Rose