Happy 2015 all! I know my posts have been scarce, few and far between since June of 2014. In that time, I performed 26 wedding ceremonies to some of the most beautiful couples in the world. Additionally, I got to actually be the recipient of a beautiful ceremony when I married my fiancé on October 26th, 2014. My darling Christopher and I were married at 67 Steps Beach in Greenport, NY; our reception was held at Hallockville Museum Farm in Riverhead, NY. Then there were birthdays, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's, bouts of the flu for my husband and myself, and of course, Winter Storms Juno and Linus blanketing my hometown in 30+ inches of the white stuff.
Photo © 2014 Sherry Pickerell Photography
 | But now, I am back! And what better time to come back than with the coming of the Groundhog! Yes, yesterday was Groundhog Day here in the US, with the groundhog seeing his shadow, thereby predicting 6 more weeks of the snowy, cold winter weather. I have always wondered what the origins of this cute, kitchy, fun holiday were. As in most cases, the origins go further back than the 1723 Delaware Indians settling in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania and seeing the groundhogs as honorable ancestors. |
Groundhog Day goes back to the ancient Celtic celebration of Imbolc, also celebrated on February 2nd. Also know as Candlemas or Brigid's Day and celebrated halfway between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox, this is the day we celebrate the passing of the Winter and the path we create for the Spring to arrive; in other words, we are celebrating the beginning of the agricultural year. We also celebrate the Celtic Goddess Brigid on this day - the goddess of fertility and abundance. On Imbolc Eve, Brigid was said to visit virtuous households and bless the inhabitants. The Goddess Brigid represents the half of the year when we see light - her power was believed to bring people from the dark season of winter into the Springtime. To celebrate, many Wiccans and followers of the Goddess Brigid will light multiple candles and lights throughout their household, in remembrance of the passing of the Winter and the beginning of the Spring.
So, during this time of moving into the light, what challenges do you currently have that need to move into the healing light? How can you move, spiritually, emotionally, and physically into the light and out of the darkness?
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