As a celebration of the start of the Celtic festival of Imbolc at the beginning of February I thought I would feature some deviations that reflect the spirit of the festival.

Imbolc falls at the midpoint between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox and marks the end of Winter, and the beginning of growth and expansion in the Celtic Calendar. It is a festival of the hearth and home, and a celebration of the lengthening days and the early signs of spring. Although February is a cold, bitter month small signs of new life are beginning to appear. It focuses on the Goddess Brigit, goddess of healing, poetry and smithcraft.

The festival was adopted by Christians and Catholics and renamed Candlemas.