February Second

Last year we added a new tradition to our calendar: Candlemas! At the time, I didn't realize it was a holiday of Christian significance, but since learning more about it, I'm drawn to this old-fashioned holy-day even more. Marking the midpoint of winter, it is a celebration of light. Half the winter is over and spring is right around the corner, right?! During the Victorian age it was the day when households would take stock of their candles and determine whether or not they had enough to carry them through the rest of the winter. If more were needed, this is the day you would make them.

Candlemas is also observed in the Waldorf community and at Maya's little co-op they celebrated by rolling beeswax candles.

If Candlemas Day be fair and bright

Winter will have another fight.

If Candlemas Day brings clouds and rain

Winter won't come again.

If Candlemas Day be dry and fair

The half o the winter's to come and mair;

If Candlemas Day be wet and foul

The half o the winter's gane at Yule.

Sound familiar? Today is also Groundhog Day. Not sure what ol' Punxsutawney Phil was thinking when he decided there would be 6 more weeks of winter... if the weather round these parts is any indicator, spring has already sprung. 

Daffodils and tulips peeping through in the front yard!

But that little groundhog is a cute thing. We enjoyed reading about him in A Garden for Groundhog by Lorna Balian.

Hope your Candlemas/Groundhog Day was warm and bright too!