RITUALS and CIRCLE NIGHTS
(Calgary)
February 2 - Imbolc Ritual - Grove of Mysteries
February 8 - Circle Night - Calgary Circle of Pagans
February 13 - Lunar Ritual - Twilight Mysteries
February 22 - Circle Night - Calgary Circle of Pagans
March 8 - Circle Night - Calgary Circle of Pagans
March 15 - Lunar Ritual - Twilight Mysteries
March 20 - Ostara Ritual - Grove of Mysteries
contributed by RavenDreamer
When you get the dates and times on Calendars, they are in Grenwich mean time, so it is off by at least 7 hours.
Please note that the new and full moons are considered
full for three days with the date given as the fullest (or newest) time.
New Moon - Feb 1 2003 - 3:48 AM
Imbolc - Feb 04 2003 5:56 AM
First Quarter - Feb 9 2003 - 4:06 AM
Full Moon - Feb 16 2003 - 4:51 PM
Last Quarter - Feb 23 2003 - 9:50 AM
New Moon - March 2 2003 - 7:35 PM
First Quarter - March 11 2003 - 12:11 AM
Full Moon - March 18 2003 - 3:34 AM
Spring Equinox - March 20 2003 -5:44 PM
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Luck and best wishes go out to Sora as she embarks on her performing career.
We are all anxiously awaiting her debut CD.
contributed by Mayda
BAILEY'S IRISH CREAM TRUFFLES
1/4 cup Bailey's Irish Cream
1 Tablespoon Butter
12 oz semisweet chocolate pieces
2 egg yolks
1/4 cup Heavy Cream
Melt chocolate pieces, Bailey's and heavy cream together over very low heat. Whisk in yolks, one at a time, mixture will thicken. Whisk in butter. Refrigerate several hours, or overnight until firm. Make small balls with a teaspoon. Roll in powdered sugar or cocoa.
IRISH SODA BREAD
1 1/2 cups All-purpose flour -- unbleached, enriched
1 1/2 cups Whole wheat flour -- stone-ground
1/4 teaspoon Kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon Baking soda
1 1/4 cups Buttermilk
Set the baking rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 375.
In a mixing bowl, combine the dry ingredients. Mix to incorporate. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and add the buttermilk. Mix quickly to incorporate the milk evenly. It may be easier to mix with the hands than with a spoon. Form the dough into a loaf shape and place in a nonstick 8 1/2 x 4 1/2 x 2 1/2" loaf pan. Place in the preheated oven and bake for 50-55 minutes, until well browned and a skewer inserted in the center comes out dry. Remove from the oven and the baking pan. Place on a wire rack to cool.
contributed by Sora
BILBO'S SONG
J.R.R. Tolkien
Blackness swallows light in an effortless gulp William Gibson
of all that I have seen,
of meadow-flowers and butterflies
in summers that have been;
Of yellow leaves and gossamer
in autumns that there were,
with morning mist and silver sun
and wind upon my hair.
I sit beside the fire and think
of how the world will be
when winter comes without a spring
that I shall ever see.
For still there are so many things
that I have never seen:
in every wood in every spring
there is a different green.
I sit beside the fire and think
of people long ago,
and people who will see a world
that I shall never know.
But all the while I sit and think
of times there were before,
I listen for returning feet
and voices at the door.
Vanished are the vibrant colors
All is cloaked in a silent veil
A darkness-defying dancer appears in a flash
Sharp and demanding is his presence
Yet frolicsome are his movements
His hue is rosy and rich
And at times is like a delicate sunflower petal
The shade of his body sporadically mutates
Limber and agile is he
Lightning quick are his movements
Masterfully blended into a lively dance
A brilliant zest blazes in his heart
A zest for light
A zest for life
The darkness succumbs to the passionate dance
The black monster is driven back into his murky lair
The kingdoms of light and color rule once again
BRIGID'S CROSS
What you need:
28 long, large diameter wheat straws without heads
What to do:
Soak straws in a tub of cool water for half an hour before starting, then wrap in a towel for another 15 minutes.
Make the core first by positioning two straws to make a plus sign, placing the horizontal straw on top. Pull the upper section of the vertical straw down on top of its other half (Fig. 1). Turn the weave 90 degrees counterclockwise. Repeat to fold down the straw that is now vertical. (Fig. 2)
Turn the straws 90 degrees counterclockwise again. Add the next straw by placing it to the right of the vertical folded straw and under the horizontal folded straw, as shown in Fig. 3. Fold the added straw, turn the straws once again, and add the fourth and final straw to this round in the same fashion.
Continue to add folded straws. Avoid letting them bunch up or lie on top of those in a previous round. Instead, build the weave outward, resting the straws side by side. At first, you may find it difficult to hold the arms together and at right angles, but as the weave gains substance, this will prove easier. Just remember to watch for gaps and fill them by repositioning and tightening the straws as necessary.
When all 28 straws have been incorporated, tie each arm off about 4 inches from the center of the design. Trim the ends of the straws and threads.
The midpoint between the winter solstice is a point where there is more and more light each and every day, but we have not yet reached the point where light conquers darkness. It is s time to look forward to see how long the winter will last. This festival is referred to as many things including Imbolc, Candlemas, Oimelc, Lupercalia, Groundhog Day, St. Valentines Day, Bridgit's Day, etc. Imbolc is the first spring festival, falling on February 1st or 2nd. Imbolc is a time of incubation. A time of dreaming, a time when light is still but a spark, as are dreams. It is a time of childhood, when all things are possible and dreams are free and uninhibited. It is a time of youth and possibilities and to remember to nourish the spark within so that it may grow and flourish. Imbolc is about innocence and reawakening. A time to throw off the shackles of doubt and burst into a shower of possibilities.
- The Essence of Spira by RavenDreamer and Sora Nalani
contributed by Aurora
BRIGID
Goddess of the Sacred Flame
Brigid, whose name means "bright arrow," is the Celtic Goddess of poetry, creativity, inspiration, prophecy, healing, midwifery, metal craft, arts, and the Keeper of the Hearth. She is the Fire Keeper.
February 1 or 2, Imbolc, is the Pagan Fire Festival dedicated to the Goddess Brigid. It is also called the Feast of St. Brigid in the Christian religion. Both religions celebrate her on this day because of the long held traditions surrounding her and the Eternal Flame.
For thousands of years it burned in honor of the Goddess Brigid, tended by nineteen Priestesses dedicated to her. Each Priestess tended the flame for a day, and on the twentieth day, the Goddess Brigid herself tended the flame.
With the coming of Christianity, the church suppressed the worship of the Goddess Brigid, but the people simply worshiped her as St. Brigid and her Sacred Flames continued to burn in her honor. Today, nineteen Nuns tend Brigid's sacred flame and on the twentieth day, Brigid herself still watches over the sacred fire.
Brigid was so greatly beloved in Ireland that when Christianity became the accepted faith throughout the land, the Goddess was transformed into a Saint, and St. Brigid's church was built on a site sacred to her. The Sacred Flame of Brigid continues to burn brightly in Kildare, Ireland.