The Pagan holiday cycle is largely anchored to changes in the natural world. We celebrate the shifting of the seasons by honoring specific days that can be viewed as turning points in the year. We celebrate the solstices (the longest and shortest days of the year) and the equinoxes (the days when light and darkness are equal), dividing the year into four quarters. In addition to these four high points on the calendar, we celebrate the halfway points between them. These holidays are sometimes referred to as “cross-quarters.”
February holds one such cross-quarter holiday. It goes by different names in different traditions (Imbolc, Disting, Gromnitsa, etc), and specific timing varies, but the theme is consistent: we are roughly halfway between the winter solstice, the longest night of the year, and the spring equinox. We can conceptualize this season as one of awakening light. The cold and darkness of winter is still with us, but we can also feel the glimmers of spring approaching.
Many Pagan traditions this time of year are about preparation. Some of us use this time to plan our gardens, including blessing the seeds and gardening tools that will support our planting. Some Pagans focus on purification, cleaning their homes and carrying smoldering incense, dried herbs, or lit candles through the rooms to release some of winter’s heaviness. Some of us celebrate with feasting, enjoying a meal focused on dairy products like butter and cheese, honey, baked goods that include oats, and early spring greens and herbs. Some Pagans hit the trails in their region to go “spring spotting,” noticing the small changes that herald the coming growing season. Some of us honor our ancestors (the holiday Disting specifically honors the women of a family line), seeking their blessing for a prosperous spring and abundant harvest later in the year. Continue reading…
