Candlemas 2026

 Monday, February 2, 2026

The information here is from an Instagram account I follow called christmaspastofficial. The owner of the account, Brian Earl, hosts a podcast called Christmas Past. 

Imbolc 2022/St. Brigid's Day

Monday, February 1, 2021

Happy St. Brigid's Day. Also, Happy Imbolc, the Celtic first day of spring. I read today about a legend that St. Brigid turned bathwater into beer. 

Quiet evening at home. For dinner Dale and I had chicken and ravioli, one of my favorites, and we watched an episode of the old Carol Burnett Show. 

Sylvester, the Christmas Cat, continues to get more comfortable in his new home. He also seems to get more adorable as well. This photo captures some of the bluish afternoon winter light although this shot makes it look more blue than it actually is. 

Candlemas Eve

Monday, February 1, 2021

Today is Imbolc and also St. Brigid's Day. This morning my friend Zara wrote on Facebook: "It's the first day of Spring in the Celtic calendar: St. Brigid's Day, Imbolc! Brigid was a bishop of the  church and abbess of one of the largest monasteries   (men and women) in Europe."

Tomorrow is Candlemas. Some Christians follow the tradition of having Christmas decorations taken down by on on Epiphany, January 6th. Others take theirs down by or on Candlemas, February 2nd. Still, others believe that if you take most of yours down by Epiphany but still have some out, they should remain up until Candlemas and then taken down to avoid any bad luck. I left a few Christmas items out after Epiphany just for the fun of it and plan to have them down tomorrow. Not so much to avoid bad luck as that it's simply time. 

Ceremony Upon Candlemas Eve

Down with the Rosemary, and so

Down with the Baies and, mistletoe;

Down with the Holly, Ivie, all,

Wherewith ye drest the Christmas Hall:

That so the superstitious find

No one least Branch there left behind:

For look, how many leaves there be

Neglected there, maids, trust to me,

So many Goblins you shall see.

                       -Robert Herrick

Imbolc/St. Brigid's Day

Saturday, February 1, 2020

The sun visited us briefly this morning and it was completely energizing to see it. The wonderful yellow orb has been absent for 10 days. 

Noel and I went shopping today and I bought an etagere at an antique shop. The proprietor said she thinks it dates to the 1920s. I asked if it was in the art nouveau style and although she said she could not say for sure, she acknowledged that it is definitely evocative of that style. The piece wouldn't fit in Noel's car so I'll have to pick it up at a later time. 

We also stopped at Bachman's for look for some signs of spring since they are not apparent outside yet. I looked at the seed packets. Noel bought some bamboo and an orchid for some greenery for her apartment. 

Dale and I completed our dry January. The one cocktail I love having over the Christmas holiday is the Brandy Alexander. I didn't get to it this season so I had a couple on this, the first day of February. It consists of one part brandy, one part creme de cacao, and one part cream or ice cream. I used half and half and it was wonderful. 

We made a chicken pot pie for dinner and had a roulade from Kowalski's for dessert. 

Today is also known as Imbolc, a Gaelic traditional festival that marks the beginning of spring. It occurs on February 1st which is just about halfway between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. St. Brigid's Day is also celebrated today by many, especially in Ireland. It is my understanding that St. Brigid's Day is Christian continuation of Imbolc.