Sunday, January 18, 2009

Imbolc or Lá Fhéile Bríde





Lá Fhéile Bríde
or Imbolc is upon us once again! You will find some general information below. I will keep adding to this page as I collect more information.
Please keep in mind that a lot of this will be of Celtic influence as that is my chosen path.
I found this crocus image here at the Rampant Scotland Newsletter

Date: February 2nd

Also Known As: Imbolc, Candlemas, St Brigid's Day, Là Fhèill Brìghde(Scots Gaelic), Gwyl Ffraed(Welsh), Groundhog Day

"Mundane" Customs: Taking time off, spring cleaning, begin the seasons sowing(symbolically or literally), making corn dolls(symbols of Brigid), making Brigid's Crosses, weather prognostication, watching for serpents, badgers, or groundhogs, burning of candles, checking stores of supplies, milking, making butter and cheeses, offering food to the poor, visiting wells or bodies of water

More Ritualistic Customs: making corn dolls(symbols of Brigid), making Brigid's Crosses, divination, initiations(in the Dianic Tradition), ritual washing, leaving offerings of food on the altar or window sill for Brigid/The Goddess, setting a place at the table for The Goddess/Brigid, The Parade of the Bríde Óg, birth and rebirth rituals, visiting wells or bodies og water

General Meaning: A celebration of the coming Spring, festival of the hearth and home, celebration of the lengthening of days

Goddess Associations: Brigid(first and formost), All Virgin/Maiden Goddesses, Aradia, Athena, Inanna, Gaia, and Februa

Symbols: White flowers, besoms(brooms), Brigid's Crosses, ploughs, bear's, crocus

Herbs/Flowers: Basil, Angelica, Blackberry, Bay Laurel, Heather, Violets, Iris

Foods: local seasonal fruit and vegetables, ham, lamb, root vegetables, breads, apples, pears, butter, cheese, dairy products, milk, soda bread, cakes, porridge, honey

Beverages: mead, spiced wine, wheat ales( Hefe Weizen for example) or other ales, water, cider(alchoholic or otherwise), seasonal fruit juice, milk

Interesting Notes: Some scholars beleive that this festival had associations with bears, honey, and mead, possibly remnants of ancient bear cults. The Irish were known for carving bears long after they went extinct from The Island.


Imbolc Blessing
Taken from PaganNews.com - Imbolc

Blessed be the earth, and all who dwell upon it.
We give thanks for the season now departing from us.
For the blessings it has bestowed upon us,
And upon those with whom we share this world.
Blessed be the new season.
We pray that it will be a time filled with peace,
With abundance, with prosperity,
With wisdom,
With love.
Blessed be all who share this feast.
Let us now prepare for the time ahead
By opening our hearts, and our minds, and our spirits.
Blessed be.


Recipes

I live on the Southern Coast of British Columbia so the ingredients I've used will reflect that since I try to eat locally and seasonally. I also have a rather restricted diet, being Gluten and Dairy free. I know, it makes celebrating a holiday based on dairy products a little difficult. Sometimes it's the thought that counts. I will provide alternatives where necessary.

Roasted Root Vegetables

Ingredients:

Baby potatoes
Parsnips
Onions(red or yellow)
Rutabaga's(AKA yellow turnips)
White Turnips
Carrots
Garlic, whole cloves

Salt
Pepper
Montreal Steak Spice(Optional)
Olive Oil

*The amounts for this recipe aren't really important, just cut up the amount you need for the people you are feeding and season to taste!

1)Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

2)cut vegetables into cubes of similar size, toss with oil and seasonings, spread vegetables into a roasting pan or baking sheet.

3)Bake for 20minutes, then stir

4)Bake for another 20 minutes or until vegetables are easily peirced with a fork and are nicely browned.


Irish Stew
found at http://allrecipes.com/
Ingredients:

1 tablespoon olive oil
2 pounds boneless lamb shoulder, cut into 11/2 inch pieces
1/2 teaspoon salt
freshly ground black pepper to taste
1 large onion, sliced
2 carrots, peeled and cut into large chunks
1 parsnip, peeled and cut into large chunks (optional)
4 cups water, or as needed
3 large potatoes, peeled and quartered
1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary (optional)
1 cup coarsely chopped leeks
chopped fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Directions:
1. Heat oil over medium heat in a large stockpot or Dutch oven. Add lamb pieces and cook, stirring gently, until evenly browned. Season with salt and pepper.

2. Add the onion, carrots, and parsnips and cook gently alongside the meat for a few minutes. Stir in the water. Cover and bring to a boil before turning the heat down to low. Simmer for 1 hour or longer, depending on the cut of meat you used and if it is tender yet.

3. Stir in potatoes, and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, before adding leeks and rosemary. Continue to simmer uncovered, until potatoes are tender but still whole. Serve piping hot in bowls garnished with fresh parsley.


Bread Pudding
Taken from http://allrecipes.com

Ingredients:

10 slices white bread, cut into cubes **or gluten free bread
1/4 cup margarine, melted **or dairy free/vegan margerine
1/2 cup raisins
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
6 eggs **or your favourite egg replacer
3/4 cup white sugar **can use brown sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 cups hot milk **or rice/almond milk
1 pinch ground nutmeg

Directions:

1.Heat oven to 375 degrees F(190 degrees C)

2. In a large bowl, combine bread cubes, melted margarine, raisins, and cinnamon; mix well, and transfer to a 2 quart baking dish.

3. Use the same bowl to beat the eggs. Stir in sugar, vanilla, and salt until sugar is dissolved. Slowly whisk in the hot milk. Pour egg mixture over bread cubes, sprinkle with nutmeg, and set aside to soak for

4. Bake in preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean. Bake in preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean.









Sources:


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imbolc


http://www.wicca.com/celtic/akasha/imbolclore.htm


Pagan News - Imbolc

Celtic Well - Imbolc

All Recipes

New Altar!

I recently set up my altar again after a one year hiatus! MAN am I HAPPY about it! For the first time in my ten years of practise I used a white altar cloth instead of black. Here's some pics!

Photobucket
altar 2008 1

Sunday, January 11, 2009

The Celts in Poland

Just found this article, and seeming as The Hubby is Polish, I was very entertained and fascinated!


Celtic Treasures
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Granyna Zawada

A fragment of a bracelet discovered at the site
A fragment of a bracelet discovered at the site
A 3rd to 2nd century BC Celtic village was discovered four miles east of Krakow. Archaeologists from the Krakow Highway Exploration Team (Krakowski Zespol do Badan Autostrad) had been exploring it during preparatory archaeological works done on the future A4 highway premises.

The archaeologists managed to explore almost the entire area of the village, which is unique in Poland. They found treasured coins, jewellery and everyday articles, thanks to which they will be able to reconstruct the life and fate of the Celts in the Malopolska district and make valuable scientific discoveries.


Please read the full article HERE

SUCCESS!

FINALLY!!!
Third time is ALWAYS the charm!!
Since I found out that I have some sort of problem with Gluten and went Gluten free, I've been trying to bake some half decent bread. First attempt was a miserable failure, second attempt was better, this third one though really hit the button. Keep in mind GF bread will ALWAYS be dense and the crust will never be what it is on wheat bread, but this recipe came closest in flavour, colour, texture, and smell! Enjoy!

Gluten Free Bread

3 cups Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free All Purpose Flour
3 teaspoons xantham gum
1tablespoon olive oil
1 cup very warm water
1 tablespoon of dry yeast
pinch of sugar

1.Preheat Oven to 200 F
2.Combine yeast, water and sugar. let bloom **yeast will dissolve and foam up
3.Combine flour, xantham gum, and olive oil in standing mixer using paddle or whip
4.Add water and mix until combined. Change to dough hook and mix for 2 minutes or until dough comes together smoothly. **DOn't worry about over or undermixing, there's no gluten to develop!
5.Knead dough a few times on counter top and shape into a log. Place into small greased bread tin.
6.Place in heated oven and TURN OFF HEAT. Let rise for 30 minutes.
7.Remove bread from oven, turn back on and heat to 375 F
8.Brush top of loaf with olive oil and bake for 40-45 minutes.
9.When time is done let cool on counter before slicing and freezing. Keep frozen until ready to use.