Tuesday 1 February 2011

St Bride's Day / Imbolc Eve

Yes, you're right. That was a right strange mixture of music at today's ceremonies. Not everyone would have chosen to switch alternate songs between the Pogues, Enya and Westlife. But it's St Brigid/Bridget/Bride's Day. So we've had a little celebration of all things Oirish - if you like a kind of early St Patrick's Day but without the green beer.

Tomorrow is of course Imbolc. The day when we all mooch around wondering what on earth we're going to do without a groundhog to find out how long winter's going to last. But it's also Candlemas! So tonight we're going to light as many tea lights as we can find and see if we can blast the winter out.

Now in the past I've refused to bless the tea lights. What's the point, I always say, blessing something that only burns for one day, and then you have to buy another extortionately priced one in the Beaker Bazaar tomorrow. But I've changed my mind. In the great scheme of things, when you think about it, even the lifespan of a human being is as that of a gnat when compared to the life of the Universe - even if, like Drayton, you think it's only 6,000 years old and it's going to end next Wednesday.  So I've changed my mind. Carpe Diem, and let us gather our rosebuds, Caveat Emptor and all the rest of it. Let us bless short-lived things, for in the eternal Mind a moment will last forever. I'm completely sold.
And so, hopefully, will be a lot more tea lights.

2 comments :

  1. Light as many as you can before next Wednesday.....DRAYTON IS RIGHT!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Dunno what the groundhog thing is about, but we should celebrate Imbolc. We're in the middle of the coldest period of the year, but the sun is slowly growing stronger, and the end of winter is in sight. I'll soon be planting some of the rare vegetable varieties I've collected over winter!

    ReplyDelete

Drop a thoughtful pebble in the comments bowl