"All the darkness in the world cannot extinguish the light of a single candle"
St. Franics of Assisi, "The little flowers of St. Francis of Assisi "
On the 2nd
of February, Catholic Christians, and some Orthodox Christians as well ( along
with Copts and Armenian Christians )
celebrate the holiday commemorating the presentation of the 40 days old infant
Jesus, our Lord, to the temple and purification of the Virgin Mary.
 |
| Presentation of Infant Lord Jesus , at the Temple with Simeon and Ana, the Light of the World |
The holiday has varying names, in
different Christian denominations, and different parts of the world, such as
: “The presentation of Jesus at the
Temple”, “Meeting” ( Greek Orthodox
Church, originally; “Hyapapante” ),
“Feast of Purification of the Virgin”, or as commonly called among the pious;
“Candlemas”.
Among Eastern Orthodox churches that use
Julian calendar, Candlemas, often called “Meeting”, or “The Meeting” is celebrated on 15th of February
( according to Gregorian calendar ).
For Pagans, the whole 3 day period,
between 31st of January and
2nd February ( sunset ) is a sacred period, called Imboloc, orOmeilc ,
celebrating the lengthening of the days, arrival of the spring and
the conception of their chief solar,
male deity, by a goddess Brigid. They
customary offer this goddess with milk, or butter during these days, and
make special beds, that they “dress” ( pour on them ) with milk and honey.
Christians, similarly, on 1st
of February, celebrate the Saint Brigit
( or St. Brigid, sometimes ) of Ireland, a saint reportedly brought up by the
druids, but who had, even as a child, feel drawn by Christianity, and
reportedly, after hearing St. Patrick’s
sermons, got baptized herself. She founded a group of monasteries in Kildare,
she was famed for her profound
spirituality, and devotion, as well as charity. Legends speak of many miracles
performed by St. Brigit, from the miraculous spreading of her veil, over the
enormous partition of certain King’s
land, to rendering apple trees infertile, or wondrously fruit-bearing double
fruits. Her patronage is over:
blacksmiths, Ireland, workers in dairy industry, babies, farmers, poor and
needy, children whose parents are not
married, scholars, to name a few.
The Holy Light of the world
Candlemas, commemorates the presentation
of the baby Christ, in the temple, as well as purification of the Virgin Mary,
40 days after the birth. This was a custom, or rather a ritual law, according
to Mosaic laws, given to people by G’d over the prophet Messiah. According to
Mosaic law, a mother who had given birth
to a “man-child” was deemed
unclean for 7 days, and had to remain (
after these 7 days ), “in the blood of her purification” for the next 3 and 30
days ( so 33, plus 7, 40 altogether ). In given time period, the new mother,
was forbidden to step foot in sanctuary, or even touch holy things. After the given
time period, she was to present her child in a temple, bringing with her, an
offering, to be prayed over by the priest, in form of young ( one year old )
lamb; “for the holocaust”, and a “young pigeon or turtle dove for sin”. If the mother was unable to
provide a lamb, the two pigeons or
turtle doves, were used instead. Having the priest pray over these “sacrifices”
the mother was rendered pure again. [1]
In case of The most Holy Theotokos (
Virgin Mary ), and Jesus, the son of Lord, fulfillment of these laws was not
needed, for the Virgin was pure ( regardless of what protestants try to argue,
pointlessly I must add ), and the Lord knew His Only Son, but the
Virgin and her Son, the Savior, have fulfilled the Mosaic law requirements
regardless.
St. Simeon the righteous, prayed over
offerings of Virgin Mary, and then proceeded to relay to her a prophecy, about
the destiny of Her Son, the Savior, as well as the sorrow she will feel one day
for losing him. In the temple, at this point was also the Prophetess Ana, who
immediately started offering prayers and praise to Lord for Jesus, and speaking to everyone about Jesus and his role in the salvation and redemption of Israel.
The scripture describes the event this way:
“34And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His
mother, “Behold, this Child is
appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be
opposed— 35and a sword will pierce even your own soul—to the end that
thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”
36And
there was a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher.
She was advanced in years and had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37and then as
a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple, serving night and
day with fastings and prayers. 38At that very moment she came up and began giving thanks to God, and
continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for the redemption of
Jerusalem.” (Luke
2:34-38) [2]
Simeon, who had been promised that he will
not see death, before he had seen the Savior of the human race, at that point,
also said a prayer, which has later became known as “Nunc Dimmitis” ( or also, “The
canticle of Simeon” ) and is as follows:
Latin:
“Nunc dimittis servum tuum, Domine, secundum verbum
tuum in pace:
Quia viderunt oculi mei
salutare tuum
Quod parasti ante faciem
omnium populorum:
Lumen ad revelationem
gentium, et gloriam plebis tuae Israel.”
English ( “Common worship” 2000. ):
“Now, Lord, you let your servant go in peace:
your word has been fulfilled.
My own eyes have seen the salvation
which you have prepared in the sight of every people;
A light to reveal you to the nations
and the glory of your people Israel.” [3]
The same prayer is sung, as the
blessed candles are distributed to the clergy and the pious, in the temple,
during the Candlemas’ service ( mass ), by the choir.
Adressing to the infant Jesus,
as the light to the revelation of
Gentiles, Simeon affirmed that Lord Jesus, is The Light of the world, or the
Holy Light of the world, of which we are reminded on Candlemas, and which is
embodied in symbolism of blessed candles.
This is also, why Candlemas, in Christianity,
and Christian spiritual practices and
lore is a day of purification and illumination.
Beliefs, lore and symbolism
There are many beliefs
associated with Candlemas, but some of the most beautiful and well recorded
include those about the Blessed candles, Snowdrop flowers, and pancakes (
crepes ).
Holy ( Blessed ) Candles
It is a tradition to bless the
candles, on Candlemas, both those from church and those brought from homes,
by the pious people, but it is required
that the candles are made of beeswax.
This is really essential, being that it bears an important symbolism.
Beeswax, created by bees, by collecting juices and nectar from the flowers,
symbolized the virginal, and pure flesh
of the baby Christ, because he had not broken Virgin Mary’s
purity, neither by conception, nor by birth. The candle’s flame, is symbolic of
Light that illuminates the darkness of the world, which Lord Christ is. [4]
According to the Saint Anslem
of Canterbury, there are three aspects
of Blessed candle to observe, the wax, representing Lord Christ’s virginal
body, the wick, representing His Soul , and the
flame, representing His Divinity. [5]
The candles obtained at the mass
on Candlemas, are considered particularly holy and powerful, and are this
preserved by some folk throughout the
whole year (or as long as they last) and are lit in times of great need.
Particularly when one needed to defend themselves from thunder, wolves or evil spirits.
By merely lighting the wick, such candle was believed to dispel evil, banish
and protect from storms and wolves, and all kind of enemies ( even humans ), or
heal, but oftentimes, the act of
lighting and burning it was accompanied
by a prayer, such as the following:
“Jesus Christ a King
of Glory has come in Peace.+ God became man, + and the Word was made flesh.+
Christ was born of a Virgin.+ Christ suffered.+ Christ was crucified.+ Christ
died.+ Christ rose from the dead.+ Christ ascended into Heaven.+ Christ conquers.+
Christ reigns.+ Christ commands.+
May Christ protect us from all storms and lightning. + Christ went through their midst in Peace, + and the Word was made Flesh.+ Christ is with us with Mary.+ Flee you enemy spirits because the Lion of the Generation of Juda, the Root David, has won.+ Holy God! + Holy Powerful God! + Holy Immortal God! + Have mercy on us. Amen. [6]
May Christ protect us from all storms and lightning. + Christ went through their midst in Peace, + and the Word was made Flesh.+ Christ is with us with Mary.+ Flee you enemy spirits because the Lion of the Generation of Juda, the Root David, has won.+ Holy God! + Holy Powerful God! + Holy Immortal God! + Have mercy on us. Amen. [6]
Sometimes people will even divide
the candle ( cut ) in pieces, and burn the whole pieces when needed.
While it’s not exactly the same,
You could bless Your own beeswax candle, and If done on Candlemas, obtain a
powerful tool of magick, at least for apotropaic work. You can bless it, as
it’s suggested to be done in Solomon’s key ( The Greater key of King Solomon,
or “Clavicula Solomonis” ). If You are going to make it though, You will be
needing a virginal beeswax , that is the
wax that the bees had laid for their first time. Otherwise, You can purchase a
waxen candle from the Christian church.
Then You’d proceed with saying
the specific conjuration, reading a set of Psalms ( around 17 Psalms, I think )
and, finally a prayer:
“ I exorcise thee, O
creature of wax (or of Earth), that through the holy name of God and his holy
angels thou receive blessing, so that thou mayest be sanctified and blessed,
and obtain the virtue which we desire, through the most holy name of ADONAI.
Amen “ [7]
By sprinkling the candle ( or was You are going to use to make it ), You’d
be done, that is according to The Greater Key of Solomon. I’d also cense (
fumigate ) with incense, as that’s what the Christian priests do with the Candlemas candles. In fact the candles
are being fumigated as they pray, specific five prayers. The Catholic priests
have set of 5 prayers they use to bless these candles.
If then, You’d wish to dress this candle,
You have made Yourself, You could dress it with “Essence of light” oil formula,
I composed ( see the formula bellow in the text ).
There is also a prayer used for
blessing the candles by Catholic Christians, and it goes as follows:
“Lord Jesus,
You
are the Light of the world:
we
praise You,
and
ask You to guide our steps each day.
Help
us to love You and serve You faithfully,
and
to carry our daily cross with You.
Bless
+ this candle,
and
let it always remind us
that
You are our Light in darkness,
our
Protector in danger,
and
our saving Lord at all times.
Lord
Jesus,
we
praise You and give You glory,
for
You are Lord for ever and ever.
Amen.”
[8]
I am not
certain, however, should this particular prayer be used only by the clergy ( priests ) like in the case of those used
for creation of the Holy water, but it’s
certainly befitting to be added, as a part of Your consecration ritual.
Crepes
While in
Mexico, tamales and chocolate sauce are traditional food for Candlemas, and are
prepared by person who found the coin ( or whatever was placed inside ) in the
King’s bread on the feast of Epiphany , in Europe
it’s commonly the Crepes.
This has
also due to the belief that they stand for abundance, prosperity and wealth.
There is even a belief in Europe, You should make and stalk Crepes, as the
Church bells are sounded on mass some Sunday in January to ensure the
prosperity through the year.
On
Candlemas, this belief would be befitting too. Fill the first crepe You make
with some Honey, roll it up, read Psalm
23 over it, and then eat it, so that You will never be hungry, but instead
prosperous in the upcoming month of the year.
I use
this amazing recipe for crepes found on BBC’s website , and they always
turn out amazingly.
Our Lady of Sorrows / Softener of the Evil
Hearts
Virgin
Mary, is sometimes depicted with swords piercing her heart, in accordance with St. Simeon’s
prophecy. It’s reffered to as : “Our Lady of Sorrows” or “Our Lady who softens
evil
hearts” ( in the Eastern Orthodox
Christian Church ).
 |
| Orthodox Christian icon, from Russia, depicting Theotokos ( Virgin Mary ) with swords piercing her heart; "Softener of the evil hearts" |
The
latter, “Our Lady who softens evil hearts” , or “Softener of the evil hearts”
or “Simeon’s prophecy”, is also the
Theotokos miraculous Russian icon, which is also commemorated on the 2nd of February by Eastern
Orthodox, and some Eastern Catholics
too.
Among the
Eastern Orthodox Christians, it’s customary to pray in front of it, to soften
the hearts of our enemies, or even someone from whom we seek forgiveness, or
even favors ( authority figures, teachers, bank clerks etc. ). Often the part
If You
wish to pray to the Mother Mary for such, in front of mentioned icon, light
also a beeswax candle, and You can very lightly coat it with honey. Bellow it
You can place a name paper with the name of the person whose heart You wish softened, although this is not
necessary. After a heartfelt prayer You may wish to add these words:
“Rejoice,
much-sorrowing Mother of God, turn our sorrows into joy and soften the hearts
of evil men!”
Snowdrops
or the “Candlemas bells”
The Snowdrop
flowers, are traditional symbols of Candlemas,
in Europe, as they represent hope, light
and purity. They often bloom on Candlemas, even though that some varieties can
bloom earlier, later or the whole winter, as a matter of fact. They are
mentioned in apocryphal Christian legend, which speaks of how Eve was
frightened and devastated because of the snow, she had encountered after the
banishment, but was comforted by Angel, who had miraculously made the Snowdrops
appear, in some version from the snowflakes, comforting Eve thus.
While
Snowdrops are bad luck to take in home
before the Candlemas, brought into home
on Candlemas they will bring purification, illumination and luck to home, and
banish evil from it.
The
poem “Origin of the Snowdrop”
( by George Wilson ) illustrates nicely the beliefs about snowdrops:
"And catching, as he gently spake,
A flake of falling snow
He breathed on it, and bade it take,
A form, and bud and blow;
And ere the flake had reached the earth,
Eve smiled upon the beauteous birth,
That seemed, amid the general dearth
Of living things, a greater prize
Than all her flowers in Paradise.
…
And thus the snowdrop, like the bow
That spans the cloudy sky,
Becomes a symbol whence we know
That brighter days are nigh;
That circling seasons, in a race
That knows no lagging, lingering pace,
Shall each the other nimbly chase,
Till Time’s departing final day
Sweep snowdrops and the world away "
That spans the cloudy sky,
Becomes a symbol whence we know
That brighter days are nigh;
That circling seasons, in a race
That knows no lagging, lingering pace,
Shall each the other nimbly chase,
Till Time’s departing final day
Sweep snowdrops and the world away "
Retrieved from http://www.perilousadventures.net/blog/?p=1453 , for
illustrative and explanatory purposes
Essence of light oil
My own formulae, suitable for use as a devotional
oil on Candlemas, and in any spiritual work associated with illumination,
purification and uncrossing.
Combine:
· * Angelica roots
· * Rosemary branch
· * Frankincense tears
· * Chamomile flowers
· * Calendula/Marigold flower
All in base of Sunflower and Jojoba mixed oil.
Jojoba alone, Sunflower alone, and even Almond oil will work just fine.
Hope this was informative and inspirational for You
If I don’t post anything before it… Have a Blessed
Candlemas
With luv… Shadow J
NOTES: This article was written, and composed by myself. If You wish to use any part of it elswhere online, feel free, but add the credits; Shadow of the Shadows magick place, Shadow-333@hotmail.com or a direct link to this post
CREDITS AND REFERENCES:
[1] According to the Catholic Encyclopedia ( online ): http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03245b.htm
[2] Retrieved from: http://biblehub.com/context/luke/2-34.htm
[3] Retrieved form: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nunc_dimittis
[4] According to: http://www.fisheaters.com/customstimeafterepiphany3.html
[5] According to: “The Liturgical year” by Prosper Pascal
Luis Gueranger ( abbot of Solesmes )
[6] Prayer retrieved from
the source listed under [4] , for educational, and illustrative
purposes,no ill will
[7] Retrieved from: “They key of Solomon” S.L. MacGregor
Mathers’ edition
[8] Retrieved form: http://www.catholicdoors.com/prayers/english/p01153.html
and http://thegraphicsfairy.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/ClipArt-of-Spring-Flowers-GraphicsFairy23.jpg
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