Imbolc

Imbolc marks the midpoint of winter. Yule, which is celebrated at the winter solstice is astronomically the longest day of the year, Imbolc is a time of great darkness, too. Therefore, we celebrate this time with light from fire rings and candles. 

We associate Imbolc with the feast of the Celtic goddess Brigid and it was celebrated as a pagan Irish festival February 1st. Since the Irish culture was also pastoral, the name Imbolc, or imbolc in the Irish language, means "in the belly," referring to the pregnant ewes which would bare young come springtime. The name imbolg is also a Celtic term for spring. 

Of the entire Wheel, Imbolc in particular is a festival of light to reflect the days which slowly but surely lengthen to the full light of the summer solstice. Candlelight is the symbolic for another reason and that is to represent the Goddess Brigid who is also associated with fire.

In America, a likely incarnation of Imbolc is Groundhog's Day, where we not only mark the midpoint of winter, we do it with a ritual that involves whether or not the Groundhog will see his shadow cast by the fiery sunlight of morning break. Yet still another incarnation of the symbolic ritual of Imbolc is Candlemas, which traditionally ended the Christmas season in the Christian world. Candlemas was celebrated by not only the burning of many candles but also the blessing of candles to be used in the coming liturgical year.

"Imbolc." Wikipedia: Online Free Encylopedia. 27 Jan 2006. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imbolc

Image from www.celtictale.com/ feis/imbolc.htm