For most pagans, February 1 is known as either Imbolc or Candlemas. It is considered the actual beginning of spring, when the earth begins to awaken after her long winter sleep. However, for the last few years I have been celebrating my own more goth version, which I call the Celebration of the Eternal Maidens/Youths.
I began by going to my local grocery store and buying white flowers. I try to find the less expensive ones that have many blooms on fewer stems; they don't have to be fancy, no need to spend a lot. I cut the blooms off the long stems, leaving individual flowers with stems only a few inches long, and put them into a small basket. Then I took them to the local cemetery, to the older section, which has an area dedicated to the graves of children. I looked for the ones under 16 years old, with no flowers, toys or other signs that people are visiting them. And on each lonely, untended grave, I placed a small white flower, then read the child's name out loud.
These are the children who will never grow old, the Eternal Maidens and Eternal Youths. May they dance forever in the sunshine.
"S/he who can be named is remembered. S/he who is remembered lives."
That's a very lovely thing to do, Lucretia. I like that idea a lot. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, this is a LOT more meaningful to me than making and blessing candles or celebrating the coming of Spring.
DeleteThat is such a nice thing to do!
ReplyDeleteThanks, I would want someone to do that for my child if I could not.
DeleteWhat a beautiful idea! I had Lammas here, but I must try and remember your idea for when Candlemas comes around here!
ReplyDeleteThat's right, you're on the other side of Mama Earth from me! Well, I hope you had a wonderful Lammas; that's one of my favorite sabbats! And I hope you do try my idea, I'd love it if others joined me in this, . :-)
DeleteThat sounds like a nice, gothy way of celebrating. I saw a post yesterday from someone else describing her way of celebrating and I realized that I tend to keep entirely different special days, so to speak. These are based upon my own experiences, prejudices, the local climate and natural changes that take place. I note and privately celebrate these days every year, but they really have nothing to do the official pagan calendar, which is actually based upon European models.
ReplyDeleteI suppose we're somewhat alike in this respect.
More alike than you realize! I tried to do that with my coven-turned-sisterhood, but we didn't get anywhere with it. We just don't have enough "other" special days in common to make it work. They did do this one with me in previous years, but I just didn't feel like getting together with anyone this time.
DeleteI plan to post on the rituals/celebrations I do later this year as well. Feel free to incorporate anything I do in your own workings if you wish, and I hope you will share some of yours if you feel so inclined. :-)
That's just such a lovely thing to do.
ReplyDeleteIt just FEELS right, you know? :-)
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