Candlemas:
Thursday 1st February 2018
Different
points in the turning year may be understood as corresponding with
different stages of our lives – which may help us to make some sense
of our life experiences, and to go onwards more cheerfully and with
greater trust.
The
Feast of Candlemas, appropriated by the Christian Church to celebrate
the presentation of the baby Jesus at the Temple and the purification
of Mary his mother, was previously a festival in honour both of the
Goddess (particularly in the person of Brigid) and of the first
stirrings of Spring – snowdrops appearing, snows melting, lambs
being born. It is celebrated on the evening of 1st
February (or on the evening of 1st August in the Southern
Hemisphere). It is a time of
celebration,
of poetry and song; and it is a festival of light, when lamps and
candles are lit and placed in the windows of the house as a sign of
the
re-awakening
of the earth as it shakes off the mantle of the winter sleep.
The
short responsive liturgy, below, can be used by individuals, but is
especially appropriate for use by groups, perhaps before sharing a
meal together. If
possible,
sit around a table.
You
will need five large candles, a small candle or night-light for each
person present, and matches to light them. Please exercise common
sense when lighting candles, and do not allow there to be any risk of
fire.
Ask
everyone who attends to bring with them something they have created:
a song, a picture, a poem, a cake, a
piece of sewing or knitting, some woodwork...
Everyone
is invited to join in saying the responsive words in bold
type. There may be one
leader to say the biddings, or you can take it in turns, round the
circle.
I am posting this early, so that you can make any preparations you need to before Thursday.
The
liturgies, celebrations, ceremonies, prayers, and reflections offered
on this blog are the result of my thoughts, reflections, and
experiences, woven together using my own words and sometimes adapting
the words others have used: I am
indebted
to their wisdom. Please use these liturgies freely, adapting them as
suits your own context. I am always pleased to hear from people who
have used them.
The
Welcome and Lighting of Candles:
Welcome
to you all, as we gather to celebrate Candlemas,
and
the first stirrings of Spring.
We
give thanks for the signs of the turning of the year,
as
the warming rays of the sun thaw the frozen earth:
It
is time to stir from hibernation,
to
awaken
from Winter, and be renewed by Spring.
The
power to change lies within us all:
We
are responsible for our own destinies.
As
the Earth provides all that its creatures need,
so
may we find fertile
soil within our selves
for
new ideas and new possibilities:
Grant
us strong roots and nourishment for growth,
that
we may be both grounded and free.
The
first candle is lit
As
the invisible Air enables the breath of life,
gently
stirring the leaves, and roaring around the globe,
so
may our imaginations and our abilities be charged and channelled:
May
we be inspired to soar on the winds of change
above
the confusions of everyday life.
The
second candle is lit
As
Fire warms, refines, and transforms,
so
may our consciences be stirred with creativity and compassion:
May
our actions be dynamic and gentle, generous and just.
The
third candle is lit
As
Water ebbs and flows, to cleanse and to refresh,
so
may our hearts learn to accept the gains and losses of life:
May
we release our selves from the past,
and
be granted the humility to receive as well as to give.
The
fourth candle is lit
As
sunshine follows shadow, as day follows night, as spring follows
winter,
so
may we trust in the cycle of life, and know that all our needs are
met:
May
our souls be filled with hope and joy,
and
may love shine through us.
The
central candle is lit
A time of quiet is now kept while we reflect on
which
one facet of our lives is most in need of renewal.
When
you are ready, take a small candle
and
light it from one of the five large candles, saying:
I light this candle for renewal in my life
and
the life of those I love.
The Sharing:
Now
is the time to share some of our creations.
Go
round the circle, giving everyone the opportunity
to show what
they have brought,
and to explain something about it and
about how they felt while making it.
When
everyone has shared their creation,
this
is a good time for a meal, for music and dancing, for poetry and
song.
At
the close of the evening, please use the following blessing.
The Closing Blessing:
Blesséd is the spring, bright season of re-awakening life:Our hearts are gladdened as the earth puts on robes of splendour.
Blesséd is the spring, warming our cold spirits into blossoming:In You is the life that will for ever return.
Blesséd is the spring, inviting us to sing new songs and dance new dances:You call us to life we have not yet tasted.
Blesséd is the spring, glorious gift of the earth, season of promise and renewal:You rise up from darkness and sleep,
with your wand of many colours,
working your magic in forgotten corners.
Blesséd is the spring, amazing us each year with the miracle of returning life:Blesséd is the spring!
As each person leaves the gathering, they take their candle with them,
to
be placed, if it is safe to do so, in one of the windows of their own
home
and
left to burn down through the night (the candle, not the home!)
Food
for the Feast:
Dairy
food, bread, and young green vegetables and salads are the
traditional fare at this time of year, so our menu will be The
William's version of galettes, rolled around what he kindly calls
'Magrat's Magic Mix' of onion, spinach, and mushrooms, and topped
with spicy tomato sauce; soft seeded bread rolls, cheeses, salads of
whatever greens we can find, and finally coffee and honey cake.
Decorative
details:
This
is the day for taking down any remaining greenery from the Winter
Solstice and Christmas, and putting it (and the green spirits which
have been nesting in it) outside, now that the spring is coming, thus
returning the fertility to the earth.
Having
been quite restrained in December, with the green, red, and gold
colour scheme, now is our chance to enjoy silvers and whites,
including crystal icicles and snowflakes. I shall be using them to
decorate the window sills and frames along with lots of candles and,
if I can find any, little pots of snowdrops, which we'll later plant
out in the garden. The Brigid's Cross we were given at our betrothal
will take pride of place over the hearth.
