Winter aconite
Imbolc…Candlemas…The Great Fire Festival…Brigid's Day…St Brigid's Day
Different traditions marking the never ending turning of the year; each following the other down the centuries. Blending, splicing, appropriating, sharing inclinations to acknowledge, with relief, the evidence of lengthening days. The return of the Sun; a noticeable stirring of fertility, but also acceptance that the bitter, cold days may still be with us for a while yet, so giving thanks and celebrating hearth and home, fire and light-in-darkness.
This is how Autumn Cottage looks on the Northern Hemisphere Imbolc days of 1st-2nd February 2015
Fragrant Winter Honeysuckle at the kitchen door
Sharp shadows and emerging snowdrops under the apple tree, looking down to the summerhouse...
... and back to the herb garden and the field beyond
The first solitary clump of snowdrops open under the tree...
...a whole drift of them under the hedgerow across the road
Purple Euphorbia putting on new growth
Abundant catkins on the hazel against a clear, but very cold blue sky
Finally, (below) to warm us all while the chill winter winds still blow, the warmth and light of a past Imbolc fire celebration in Marsden, West Yorkshire*.
Keep warm, celebrate hearth and home, but also welcome the sun, friends - at this Imbolc, Blessed be!
(*Image courtesy Wikipedia Commons)
Oh! I LOVE this! Everything looks fabulous. xoxox
Posted by: Jamie Chavez | Sunday, February 01, 2015 at 19:53
Lovely post, and full of hope. Love the fragrant honeysuckle... Cilla
(I don't know why type pad says I am called D!)
Posted by: Weaversjournal | Sunday, February 01, 2015 at 20:06
wonderful! Thanks for showing us Autumn Cottage at Imbolc.
Posted by: Sandy | Sunday, February 01, 2015 at 21:29
So, so lovely on a snowy day here. Thank you.
Posted by: Sarah Wrightson | Sunday, February 01, 2015 at 22:58
Our Candlemas does not include outdoor activities except filling bird feeders.Its a very icy snowy day in PA. Sitting here with candles lit, watching birds and seeing your lovely garden made a great afternoon. Thanks Roz!
Posted by: avis | Monday, February 02, 2015 at 21:25
It's greener than I thought....
Posted by: Gracie | Wednesday, February 04, 2015 at 12:53