Feast of Light Magick Collection @Superstitious
The Feast of Lights
Candelora, Candlemas, The Ascension of Kore - February 1st
Throughout history the month of February has marked the Earth’s transition from winter to spring. As we begin to feel the strengthening warmth of the sun, the earth begins to bloom, the cold winter is replaced with fresh greenery and delicate blossoms. Both flora and fauna begin to awaken from their winter slumber and are reborn once again. On February 1st we celebrate the Feast of Lights or the Ascension of Kore. During this time, we Witches honor and celebrate the renewal of the virginity of the Earth and bid farewell to the winter cold. The Festival of Lights is a period of homage for the many blessings the Great Mother Goddess has bestowed upon us.
In our Witches tradition, during the Festival of Lights, we call upon and welcome the Goddess Kore-Persephone. She is the Maiden of Rebirth, the Protectress of Witches and Preserver of the Earthly Cycles. In honor of Kore’s return, small family feasts are held and offerings of candles, incense, garlic, fresh water, mint bouquets, pomegranates, cheese, honey, milk, pastries and are presented to both her and Demeter. At this time, the masculine forces of nature are represented through the Sun God, Apollo or Sol Invictus. He bestows new light and warmth onto the earth. The feminine forces of nature are represented through the Spring Goddess, Persephone or Kore, returning to the earth, bring new life and spirit to all. Our magickal altars are adorned with a multitude of candles - each flickering flame acting as a welcoming beacon to the Maiden Goddess. Evergreens are often saved during the Brumalia festivity and burned during the Feast of Lights to purify and expel evil.
Imbolc, Imbolg February 1st or 2nd
In The Celtic Traditions of Witchcraft, Imbolg or Imbolc, marks the welcoming of spring. The festival celebrates the beginning of the end of winter. Imbolc is one of the Greater Witches’ Sabbats, usually celebrated on the eve of February or February 1st. The word Imbolg is Irish-Gaelic for "in the belly" and Oimelc (pronounced EE-mulk), means "ewe's milk" in Scots-Gaelic. This Festivity represents both fertility and light. Imbolc marks the recovery of the Goddess after giving birth to the Sun God, the lengthening periods of light awaken Her. The Sun God is a young, lusty boy, and His power is felt in the longer days. Imbolc is said to have originated in Ireland as a holy day devoted to the Goddess Brigit (pronounced "breed"). She is the Great Mother Goddess, who is in the form of a bride for the returned Sun God. Brigid is the Celtic goddess of Fire, Poetry and Healing. Imbolc is a good time for self-dedication rituals or spells for new beginnings. Children born on Imbolc are said to be the "first children of spring" and will always be one step ahead of everyone else.
Lupercalia Lupercus, Feast of Lupercalia - February 1-15
The Lupercalia Feast is an ancient pastoral festival connected to the Annual Roman Wild Hunt. The ‘Wolf Festival’ is held in honor of Lupercus and consecrates Lupa, the Great She-Wolf. Lupercus is an ancient God believed to have protected farmers, shepherds, wild animals and the harvest. It is often compared to the Greco-Italian Satyr Spirits; Pan, Silvanus and Faunus. Shepherds and goat herders invoke Lupercus for protection against nature’s predators. Lupa, the She-Wolf who nourished and protected Romulus and Remus; the founders of Rome is invoked as the protectress of Children and the Mother of Nature. The Feast of Lupercalia is a period of both healing and vitality. The Great Wolf is invoked as a Spirit of Life, Death, Rebirth, and Unity – the Wolf brings both Healing as well as Destruction. Lupercalia is traditionally celebrated on February 13th-16th or February 15th. In our Witches’ Tradition, the Lupercalia festivity is celebrated in honor of the Sacred Spirit of the Wolf and is observed from February 1-15th in unison with the Feast of Lights. The beginning of the February festivity is venerated as the Ascension of Kore. The remaining days of the festivity (7-15) is celebrated as Lupercalia, The Feast of the Great Wolf.
The Lupercalia Feast is deeply rooted in ancient fertility rites as well as the welcoming of spring and the banishment of winter. The Lupercalia feast is believed to have originated from both Sabine and Etruscan Traditions and originally celebrated in the Lupercal Caves. The luperci or Brothers of the Wolf were the Priesthood of Lupercalia festivity. They are said to have adorned themselves in goatskins, carrying leather thongs, went through the streets striking all who them came across - this simple scourging was believed to promote fertility, purify the spirit and to avert negative forces. They also are said to have anointed their foreheads with blood from a sacrificial dagger that was then cleaned in milk and wool then followed this rite with a tremendous laugh. During the Lupercalia festivities, the ancients sacrificed both dogs and goats, as well as offered libations of figs and vestal cakes – salt-meal cakes.
It is often speculated that the Lupercalia Feast influenced or was Christianized into The Feast of Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary as well as possibly being connected to Valentine’s Day.
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