The fires awaken with the festivals of Imbloc and Candlemass, while Brigid smiles and awaits the rebirth of spring. The Fire festivals for the month of February symbolize the purification of Motherhood linking the Goddess Brigid and the Blessed Virgin Mary.



 

Epona (Gallic) and Rhiannon (Wales) merging as the Goddess of Horses, Mother Goddess of Fertility and rebirth, maternity, prosperity, horse breeding, and protector of dogs. Celtic Goddess of ethereal beauty, she was born with the first moonrise. Rhiannon is also the Muse of poets and creative source of artistic inspiration. She is honored for granting wishes for those who are demanding of their needs and scorn those who are timid of their needs and afraid to ask.  Rhiannon is worshipped amongst the trees at the woodland altars and underneath the moonlight.

Brigid (Celtic) is the goddess of fire, poetry, healing, childbirth, and unity. She is the daughter of Dagda the Great Father of Ireland. The Celts believed that wherever she walked, small flowers and shamrocks would appear.  Showing Her signs of inner beauty and light (knowledge), inspiration, and a never-ending source of healing energy from the sun.

Osun (Africa) is a spirit goddess who reigns over love and intimacy with such wealth and beauty. Her generosity that she has given to all, her wrath can be also felt.  Osun is the unseen mother at every family gathering in Yoruba. In their sacred rites and understanding of the cosmological forces in water, moisture, and attraction. Allowing Her powers to be the force of harmony.

The Celtic tree calendar for the month of February starts with Nuin (Ash). This is the time of runes, incantations and music. Trident or the Sea Horse is the Celtic symbol. The Celts believe the ash came from the Great Deep or the Undersea. It represents “opening of the ways”, a term for leading the soul into the afterlife. The Underworld or sacrificial deities is represented from the ash tree. One is Gwion the sweet singer of the Bards and the other is Gwyn a Welsh God of the Underworld. In Celtic Lore the ash tree with its white wood is used for oars, ax handles, and spears. The Druids use the wood for their wands, but the spear is the symbol of Shaman powers, allowing our personal growth to expand and reflect with the universal connection, with our family and friends. The ash is also used as a healing source and protection against psychic storms or energy vampires.

Algonquins tale about the Great Hare (Michabo), son of the West Wind and Grandson of the Moon, Michabo was out hunting with his wolves fell into the lakes and disappeared.  Michabo found out from a bird, where they tried to rescue them. Unfortunately, the lake overflows, covering the Earth. The Great Hare sent a raven for clay so he could remake the Earth, but the raven found none. Then he sent his playful friend the otter on the search and came back with nothing. Finally a muskrat managed to return with some clay from the deep waters, to the Great Hare to use to rebuild the Earth. Out of celebration Michabo married the muskrat by which He had children to repopulate the Earth.