roxybebito wrote:http://www.crypticcavern.com/holidays/Imb.htm
"The minor holidays are also celebrated all over the globe. Imbolg (Feb 2nd), Bealtaine (May 1st), Lughnasadh (Aug 1st) and Samhaim (Oct 31st) fall inbetween the major holidays. Many of the traditions have become celebrated holidays today in many culture.
Imbolg
This time of year has many different meanings for cultures all around the world. Centuries ago winter was a tuff and hard time. The days were short and the nights were long, food was scarce and the promise of spring was far away. This time of year is celebrated all over the world with a variety of traditions that go back thousands of years. The holiday celebrated on February 2nd is called by many names. You many know it as Imbolg, Imbolc, Candlemas, the Feast Day of Saint Blaise, Oimelc )meaning "milk of ewes"), Laa'l Breeshey and Saint Bridget's Day.
This is the holiday Pagans honor Brid (Breed) a figure who was known the best as a goddess of the Celtic. She is also known as Bridgit (Bree-id), Brigit, Brede or Bride in her maiden aspect.
In some legends she is described as the daughter of the Dagda, the Celtic "Father of All" and "Lord of The Great Knowledge" a warrior and protector who was paired with the Morrigan. Other say that Brigit was his consort and Dagda is a god of abundance who fed the world with his cauldron called Undry.
Brigit is the goddess of sovereignty. She is a fire deity and some believe a sun goddess. Because of the connection of the growing season she is also thought of as a fertility goddess.She was also known as the patroness of smithcraft. She was said to have taught the original smiths their art.
This holiday is most commonly called Imbolg (Em-bowl/g) meaning "in the belly". In the womb of Mother Earth, the seed that was planted in her womb at the solstice is now awakening as the new year grows.
Groundhogs Day is a form of this celebrated holiday, also celebrated on February 2nd. It started as a British Isles tradition to predict how much more winter weather was to come. Now a recognized day and celebrated in the United States on February 2nd. Every year in Punxsutawney Pennsylvania since 1887 this town celebrates Groundhog Day with a local crowd of residents and tourists wait to see if Punxsutawney Phil (local groundhog) can see his shadow to tell us if there will be 6 more weeks of winter.
This is the time of the earliest beginnings of Spring. The seeds are planted and warmed by the ever growing sun....."