Friday, February 02, 2007

So, yeah. Found out yesterday that a good friend has breast cancer; she finds out next week the extent/severity/etc. Makes all the angst over rejections and getting an agent seem pretty ridiculous.

Depending on who you talk to (or maybe where you are, time zone-wise) yesterday or today was Imbolc and Brigid's day. Brigid, both the "pagan" goddess and the Christian St. Brigit, are celebrated variously on Feb 1 and Feb 2. Today is also Candlemas.

I particularly like Brigid because she represents inspiration. As a keeper of the flame of inspiration, she looks after both poets/writers and smithies, which I think is a very cool idea – the flame of inspiration to get you started on your creative endeavor, and the strength to persevere in your task. She also represents healing, which is much on my mind the last few days.

Here's a lovely representation of Brigid; I'll have to scan the lovely pen-and-watercolor drawing my friend Cat did so I can share with you. It's gorgeous.


Word-hoard:
redivivus: living again; revived

Myths, symbols, and folklore:
Candlemas: "A feast traditionally celebrated on February 2, which formally marked the end of winter and the beginning of Spring in parts of medieval Europe. Also known as the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Candlemas falls 40 days after Christmas, in imitation of the 40-day period of isolation that Hebrew law imposed upon mothers and their infants."

Candlemas falls on Imbolg/Imbolc. "This meant 'the surrounding belly' or 'around the belly' in Old Irish, indicating the Earth Mother's womb as the land or the soil. It featured circumambulatory rituals for the benefit of the crops, and the lighting of fires."

2 comments:

  1. So, so sorry about your friend. I send positive, hopeful thoughts...

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  2. Thank you so much. She's actually over in your neck 'o' the woods (kinda) so shoot those hopeful thoughts out toward CoCoCo. :D

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