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Candlemas |
If the old rhyme is prophetic, then the worst of winter should be over; for today brought cloud and rain (not to mention snow!). February 2nd. Candlemas. The midpoint of winter. Today we’re halfway between the shortest day and the coming of Spring at the equinox. This was the day - and still is in places - when candles to be used over the coming year were blessed by the clergy and carried in procession. Every window of both church and home was illuminated with a candle if possible. If domestic candles were scarce, a solitary light would burn at the kitchen window. Tonight I’ll be setting a candle in the window as generations have before me. I keep a stash of special candles for significant occasions such as this. Special because they were dipped by hand before the start of winter by Tasha Tudor’s family in Vermont. The beeswax tapers have a beautiful irregularity and occasionally spit and splutter as all candles once did. Their careful making and the tradition I’m about to enact link me with the past even as I look to the future and the promise of warmer days. And I’ll be giving thanks for the Light as I set my candle in the window. Whatever Light means to you - be it only the lengthening daylight - I invite you to join me. |
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