Monday, August 1, 2011

Celebrating First Light

Tonight I'll be celebrating the festival of First Light. In this land of Aotearoa, the inanga (whitebait) are wriggling their way up the rivers.
We too will be listening to the new life that is young and wriggling inside after the hibernation of winter.
The yellow flowers will be set in the south, where in Celtic tradition we find the element of earth (reversed for our southern hemisphere). In the west lies water, signified tonight with this blue vessel and white sea shells. To the Celts, First Light, which is half-way between winter solstice and spring equinox, is the festival of the fire goddess Brigid, who is associated with creativity, poetry and healing.
Tonight the candles will be lit in honour of Brigid. And as an extra element, here is the Chinese goddess of compassion, Kuan Yin, for we will be invoking healing and compassion for absent friends, and all those in trouble at this time.
Kuan Yin is said to be 'She Who Sees and Hears the Cries of the World'.
This is a festival of gentleness, welcoming back the light, and letting it support the blossoming of hope.

7 comments:

Unknown said...

Oh I wish I could be there too. How lovely! I'll light my candles and be with you in spirit Juliet!

Juliet said...

Oh please do, Joan. All are welcome to join this celebration in spirit.

Marja said...

Whar a beautiful inspiring festival I will light a candle too :)

Anonymous said...

First light. I like that. I'll be thinking of you as you turn the corner on winter today and we look to autumn. It is very hot and humid here today with a heat advisory.

Ruth said...

Thinking of you as you celebrate - Blessed be!

Juliet said...

Thank you to all of you for joining the celebration with your comments.

Lynley said...

I loved your colours and arrangement. There was such peace and serenity in it. Peacefulness and hope is needed so much in the world.

The light is definitely returning. We had such a sunny, warm and calm day today. It felt a blessed day.