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This site is devoted to basic celtic holidays - Samhaіn, Imbolc, Beltaіne, Lughnasadh. Additionally to information about holidays you can also listen Music, created by a project "KRANZ" and choose Postcards, devoted to celtic holidays.

Here you will be able to know about traditions and rituals, related to the ancient holidays, read about the recipes of traditional dishes which prepared Celtic people, about thier ceremonies and consuetudes.

Posted by Shannon O'r, 18.10.2008

IMBOLC

Imbolc is the Celtic holiday of a lonely candle, celebrated in a threshold of February. The middle of winter. The enchantling spectacle falls at night, what in the certain measure causes an atmosphere of dark fabulousness. Imbolc, on February, 1, has been closely connected to sacred fire which clears the ground and supports fertility, and awakening of the sun from winter dream. Imbolc is celebrated in Ireland and other countries. It is special magic day. This day accordingly to Celtic mythologies Mother of Bread had a rest on the Earth of Spirits, assemble forces. In Samhain she has given all vital force to the God to help him to revive. Imbolc - a holiday of recover of the Goddess, clarification and revival of the ground.

This holiday of clarification after a solitary life in the winter, through revival of force of the Sun. Also this holiday of light and the fertility, sometimes marked in Europe in light of a flame, torches and fires. Fire here represent our own education and inspiration, just as light and warm. Imbolc also known as the Holiday of Torches, Oimelk and Oimelg (ewes milk), in Scots Gaelic, the holiday is called La Feill Bhride (holiday of Brid or Brigit), the Holiday of Master, Festival of Snowdrops and under other names.

It is a holiday of the House. It is a holiday of Domestic Fire. The tasty food, warm wine and silent conversation with candles, in a circle of family and friends, - thats the way to glorify Keepers of the House. It is the quietest, silent holiday of year. It is a holiday of a domestic fire, fire which warms and shines . This is time when pregnant ewes have a milk - an obvious attribute of spring which comes nearer. It is a holiday of cleanliness.

This is holiday of poetry and bards. Therefore this day sing and tell many songs, fairy tales and ballads. Bards and poets specially prepare for the performances for this day.

Light of the candle - its the light of the sun which comes back from winter darkness. One more very important ritual this day - show the care for who does not have house. If you know, where there live homeless people or animals - bring them some food. If you have an opportunity - offer something to a shelter for homelesses or to children's home. In any case, wish each homeless to find home.

The main attributes of the Holiday of the House are alive fire (in particular - candles) and milk. Magic of this holiday will consist in skill to feel a cosiness of a house and to take pleasure in him. Give to drink warm milk to your domestic pets - a cat or a dog. Put for the night a flat dish with milk at a door as invitations to Small People - to Keepers of the House. If you want to give small gifts to relatives and to friends - let it there will be the things created by your hands.

Posted by Shannon O'r, 18.10.2008