Candlemas, celebrated on February 2nd, is a holiday that has both Christian and pagan origins. While it is commonly known as the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus and the Feast of the Purification of the Virgin Mary in the Christian faith, there are also pagan customs that have been associated with this date for centuries. In pagan traditions, Candlemas is observed as the midpoint between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. It is a time to celebrate the return of the light and the coming of spring. Many pagan customs revolve around the lighting of candles, symbolizing the increasing power of the sun and the triumph of light over darkness. One common practice during Candlemas is the blessing of candles.
The festival of Candlemas on February 2nd is a blend of pagan rites, Christian ceremonial, and popular customs. Candlemas Day marks the end of the mid-winter Christmas celebrations and was strikingly portrayed in Wedgwood’s Fairyland Lustre collection by Daisy Makeig Jones.
Nielsen was a talented Danish book illustrator in the Art Nouveau style, who became a set designer for Walt Disney and a stylist for Fantasia from 1939 to 1941. Candlemas , also called Presentation of the Lord or Presentation of Christ in the Temple or Hypapante , Christian festival on February 2 commemorating the occasion when the Virgin Mary, in obedience to Jewish law, went to the Temple in Jerusalem both to be purified 40 days after the birth of her son, Jesus, and to present him to God as her firstborn Luke 2 22 38.
One common practice during Candlemas is the blessing of candles. This ritual involves lighting candles and asking for divine protection and blessings. The candles are then used throughout the year to bring light and positive energy into homes and spaces.
Candlemas
Candlemas is the celebration of the presentation of Jesus at the temple, and the purification of Mary, as both were Jewish traditions that would have potentially taken place. The original feast day is one of the oldest Catholic celebrations, dating from the 4th Century. Also known as the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus Christ and the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Candlemas is often referred to as the Festival of Light.
Following the birth of Christ’s attribution to 25 December, Mary would have needed to be purified thirty-three days after Jesus’ circumcision, which would fall on 1 January. To do this, according to scripture, she would present a purified lamb as a burnt offering, and a dove or pigeon as a sin offering, at the temple, at the time when her child, Jesus, would be presented to be blessed. Candlemas in the United Kingdom recognises this event, but its introduction adapted many pagan customs which were already celebrated in ancient Britain and Ireland.
Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
John 8:12, KJV
Parishioners would attend mass, where the candles due to be used for the coming year would be blessed. The burning of candles is linked to Jesus’ claim to be the ‘light of the world’ but is taken from Imbolc, where lit candles would show the warming of the sun and invite the Goddess Brigid to visit homes. Candlemas tradition from the Middle Ages consisted of placing a lit candle in the window to welcome the Holy Spirit, in a very similar fashion. It has also been linked to weather divination, in the same was as Imbolc, to test whether Spring would come soon by observing the possible emergence of hibernating animals.
Candlemas is still celebrated within churches today, but it is no longer an integral part of the calendar for society-at-large.
Girolamo Romanino, Presentation of Jesus at the Temple, Public Domain
Candlemas, also called Presentation of the Lord or Presentation of Christ in the Temple or Hypapante, Christian festival on February 2 commemorating the occasion when the Virgin Mary, in obedience to Jewish law, went to the Temple in Jerusalem both to be purified 40 days after the birth of her son, Jesus, and to present him to God as her firstborn (Luke 2:22–38). The festival was formerly known in the Roman Catholic Church as the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary and is now known as the Presentation of the Lord. In the Anglican church it is called the Presentation of Christ in the Temple. In the Greek church it is called Hypapante (Meeting), in reference to Jesus’ meeting in the Temple with the aged Simeon.
Another pagan custom during Candlemas is the making of 'Brigid's crosses'. These crosses are usually made from rushes or straw and are associated with the Celtic goddess Brigid, who represents fertility, fire, and healing. The crosses are hung in homes and barns to invoke blessings and protection. Additionally, Candlemas is seen as a time for divination and weather predictions. Some pagan traditions believe that the weather on this day can determine the forecast for the remainder of winter. This belief is rooted in the idea that nature provides signs and omens that can guide communities in their agricultural practices and daily life. While Candlemas has evolved to have Christian significance, its pagan customs continue to be observed by many individuals and communities. These traditions highlight the connection between nature, light, and the cycles of the seasons. Whether it is through lighting candles, making Brigid's crosses, or predicting the weather, pagan customs during Candlemas offer a way to honor the natural world and celebrate the changing of the seasons..
Reviews for "The Pagan Origins of Candlemas: Insights and Interpretations"
1. Jane - 1 star:
I found "Observing Candlemas According to Pagan Customs" to be a complete waste of time. The author spends too much time discussing the historical origins of Candlemas without providing any practical information on how to actually observe the holiday according to pagan customs. Additionally, the writing style was dry and unengaging, making it difficult to stay interested in the topic. I was very disappointed with this book and would not recommend it to anyone interested in learning about pagan customs.
2. Mark - 2 stars:
I was really excited to read "Observing Candlemas According to Pagan Customs" as I am interested in pagan traditions and celebrations. However, this book fell short of my expectations. The author provided some basic information on the history of Candlemas but failed to offer any unique or insightful perspectives on how to incorporate pagan customs into the celebration. The content felt repetitive and lacked depth. Overall, I found this book to be lacking substance and not worth the purchase.
3. Sarah - 2 stars:
I was hoping to gain a deeper understanding of the connection between Candlemas and pagan customs from "Observing Candlemas According to Pagan Customs", but sadly, this book did not deliver. The author briefly mentions some pagan beliefs and practices associated with the holiday but fails to explore them in any meaningful way. The lack of detail and depth made the book feel superficial and incomplete. I felt like there was so much more that could have been discussed but was left disappointed by the lackluster content provided.