Yes, it’s time for another Druidic festival! This one’s a “cross-quarter” day, meaning it’s not a solstice or an equinox. (There’s also a Christian equivalent, Candlemas, so nobody feels compromised reading this blog post.)

The festival? Imbolc, celebrating the very beginning of spring and all it entails, including lambing season, early bulbs, longer days, etc. Brigid, later a saint but first a Celtic goddess, is celebrated along with it and people used to have all sorts of fun making predictions for the coming growing season (Groundhog Day, anyone?).

So praise the lord God (or St. Brigid, or whomever), we made it through another winter. Here are some fun things to do today:

It is traditional upon Imbolc, at sunset or just after ritual [because you’re all performing rituals, I know you are], to light every lamp in the house – if only for a few moments. Or, light candles in each room in honour of the Sun’s rebirth. Alternately, light a kerosene lamp with a red chimney and place this in a prominent part of the home or in a window.

If snow lies on the ground outside, walk in it for a moment, recalling the warmth of summer. With your projective hand [I assume the dominant hand? Maybe it’s your most magical hand?], trace an image of the Sun on the snow.

And don’t mind the stares from the neighbors.