posted July 14, 2007 03:56 PM              

What astrological aspects could be causing this? For the water, I thought of all the planets in Cancer. I don't know what to think about the groundhog knocking at my front door...Mars in Taurus??

posted July 14, 2007 05:03 PM              

I am planning on going to grad school in a year, and that would be two to three years of study. I'm not entirely decided on which field I'm choosing. It's between: Law, Psychology (to start my own non-profit organization), or Nursing.

I did some sleuthing on what "groundhog" could symbolize. Surprisingly, there was a lot on it; the celtic's used it to represent Brigid, whom I know little about.

My initial feeling on it was that I am coming out of a bad emotional period. Groundhogs hibernate and represent winter, and they herald spring. Metaphorically, this could represent my emotions.

I've started writing creatively again, too.

Can I ask you where you got your information about the two year period and the studying? I'd like to read it.

posted July 14, 2007 05:32 PM              

Among the most familiar sights in Irish art
are the Celtic animal symbols

Calling forth the unfathomable powers of these natural beasts, the people of ancient Ireland used Celtic animal symbolism to attempt to understand the otherwise incomprehensible natural cycles of the Earth.

The Celts looked to the beasts of the earth, sky, and sea to find teachers, friends, and healers. Along with this fascination and almost worship of animal symbols, the Celts revered Nature itself, be it in the form of plants, animals, or elements.

They believed the animals were there to teach them how to live in harmony with Nature itself. Through animal symbols, the Celts sought to commune with both the seen and the Unseen.

We can see this tie to Nature not only in early Celtic crafts, but also in later Irish art. In the greatest example of medieval illuminated manuscripts, the Book of Kells, the four Evangelists were frequently depicted as Celtic animal symbols: Matthew the man, Mark the lion, Luke the calf, and John as the eagle.

Elite Irish families used animal symbolism on their Coats of Arms. Pubs often took their names from animals renowned for their strength. Today, Irish coins are minted with animal symbols such as peacocks, salmon, and stags on their faces. Groundhog Day first arose from Imbolc -- the ancient Celtic celebration of the world awakening from its winter slumber.

Celtic animal symbols took a myriad of forms and meaning. The graceful curves of the crane. The stalwart might of the bull. The slow, coiled menace of the snake. The early Celts believed the animals arose from the fantastic Otherworld whence come the elves and fairies.

posted July 14, 2007 05:39 PM              

Traditionally what we know as Groundhog Day was and is, on Feb 1st or 2nd is celebrated in the Modern Irish Calendar as Saint Brigid’s Day,or Bride’s Day, both a Catholic and Pagan Celebration of an ancient Goddess tradition, also called Imbolc, still celebrated by Wiccans/Pagan based Earth honouring religions. Christians overlaid the Ancient Goddess worshipers’ holiday renaming it Candlemas or the fest of the Purification of the Virgin. This celebration also relates to the midpoint between Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox.

It is a “cross-quarter” day in the 8 rounds of the Wheel of Time in the Solar based year. Since the Celtic Year was based on both lunar and solar cycles, it is most likely the holiday would be celebrated on the Full Moon nearest those 2 midpoints, when early spring flowers would begin to rise up through the snow, and snakes would come out of the ground. This is the precursor of the Groundhog, which the Romans replaced with a Hedgehog, which we... On Feb. 2nd this year there is a Full Moon in Leo at 12:45 am EST.
That Ancient peoples of Ireland kept this day as very sacred. At the Megalithic and Neolithic sites, such as the Loughcrew burial mounds and the Mound of the Hostages in Tara, Ireland, the inner chambers of the passage tombs are perfectly aligned with the rising sun of both Imbolc and Samhain attesting to the value placed on this day.

Triple Goddess/Saint Brigid/Bride

She is according to Robert Graves, the most Ancient Triple Goddess worshipped since time out of mind. The Goddess rules over scholars and poets. She is the Goddess of fire and inspirations in Ireland, the Goddess of poetry, creativity, smithcraft and healing. She also rules healing with water, and divination. She is said to rule over people who work with cows and chickens, brewers, fugitives, midwives, infants, printers, sailors, travelers, New Zealand, & Irish nuns. This day symbolizes a time of transitions, initiations, new beginnings, of planting seeds that will sprout later. Brigid/Birgita represents the light half of the year,Her power brings the people out of the dark season of winter into spring, so, it is a very important time of the year.

She is the Goddess of Augury

In the Druidic tradition, poetry and augury were associated. She is patron of prophets and seers.

Celtic seers divined by looking into deep water and into flames. This is a great time to do divination.

Triple Goddess

She has two sisters with the same name. One aspect of her carries a blacksmith tongs and a sword, because she is also patroness of war; another aspect holds 2 healing snakes, from which the modern Doctor’s symbol is derived, the caduceus, the third aspect carries a wand with a crescent moon and a tablet.

Elements

Brigid rules the Waters. Many healing springs are dedicated to Brigid. Natural bodies of water also signify Her presence, particularly where three streams joined together. She also rules Fire, so it is customary to make candles for the coming year and bless them on this day.

Protecting Goddess

In her aspect as Brigantia, she carries a spear, an orb of victory, and wears a war crown. She symbolizes protection of the country from invaders and slavery.

Midwives

As Patroness of Midwives, she was invoked at the door of the home where the woman was giving birth, by the midwife. Who speke:

Bride, Bride, come in! Thy welcome is truly made, Give thou relief to the woman, And give thou the conception to the Trinity.

Brigid is the guardian of every newborn, their cradles protected with a woven Brigit’s Cross, an equal armed cross. Upon a safe delivery, the infant was blessed or “sained” by the midwife, with 3 drops of water on the child’s forehead, dedicating the Child to the Triple Goddess. The “Holy Trinity” in its modernized Christian aspect, was just an overlay of the Goddess Triple Aspect since time out of memory. A candle was carried ‘round the bed sun wise three times. As Brigid is a Solar Goddess. We think of the Sun as masculine but originally all aspects of the Universe were considered Feminine.

Brigid Ruler of the Hearth

Especially in Gaelic Scotland, Brigid’s dolls are placed near the hearth on her Feast Day. The doll is usually dressed in white, decorated. A white wand is placed in her bed as a fertility charm. As she is patroness of agriculture, pastures, livestock, and abundance. An offering is made to her of dairy products. The Brigid doll is kept throughout the year near the hearth hung on a wall, or by a door, as a talisman of protection, then burnt the next year.

Light a Candle and Invoke the Goddess at this time-

I kindle this candle in the name of Brighid, Goddess of Smiths,

I sain this house in the name of Brighid, Goddess of Healers,

I smoor this candle in the name of Brighid, Goddess of Poets.

One folk tradition still continues in both Christian and Pagan homes on St. Brigid’s Day is that of St. Brigid’s Bed. Girls and young unmarried women create corn dollies to represent Brigid, these are adorned with ribbons, baubles shells or stones. A bed is made for the doll to lie in. On St. Brigid’s Eve Jan 31, the girls gather together in one house and stay up all night with the doll, are are later visited by all the young men, who ask permission to enter the home, and then treat the young maidens and the dolly with respect. The next day the girls carry the doll through the neighbourhood from house to house, where she is welcomed with great honour. Adult women stay home to welcome the Brigid procession and offer snacks and coins to the young girls and maidens.

Brigid is said to walk the earth on Imbolc eve. Feb 1st. Before going to bed, each member of the household may leave a piece of clothing or strip of fabric outside for Brigid to bless. The cloth are brought inside the next morning, believed to now have the powers of healing and protection.

BRIGID is alive and well.

The name “Britain” is a derivation of Brigit’s name. Britain was named for an ancient Celtic tribe, the Brigantes, who were the largest Celtic tribe in the country in pre-Roman times who worshipped Her as their Deity. The tribe originated from an area now called Bregenz in Austria near Lake Constance. The word “brigand” comes from this tribe of fierce warriors. Her symbol is a flaming spear. Her worship spread, leaving behind places named in Her honour-Brittany in France, Brechin in Scotland, the name Brent, in England, any name containing Bride. Britain’s symbol, the Goddess Brigantia, still found on their 50 cent coin is Brigid in her aspect as Goddess of the Land. In Old German/Yiddish the word “Fabrent” meaning burnt honours this Ancient Goddess.

Interesting it says how she rules scholars. That book you're reading must've gotten that from this ancient belief about Brigid.

posted July 14, 2007 06:14 PM              

Symbols often speak to, from and for our "other" intelligence systems, triggering recognition and action from our souls, our hearts and our emotional bodies. You could say that signs, symbols and archetypes are a way that our subconscious and our soul will communicate with us. And so, it follows that our intuition plays an important role both in noticing and interpreting signs, symbols and archetypes.

This is the site http://www.globalpsychics.com/enlightening-you/symbols-and-signs/index-symbols-and-signs.shtml

I'm going to continue posting this in the other thread, because I feel I'm imposing here.

posted July 14, 2007 07:30 PM            

Another possibility:

I have found that when I am centered, when I am in the flow animals both domestic and wild gravitate toward me. It is like they can sense the peace.

I enjoyed your research on Brigit. The triple goddess is likened to Neptune's trident and is associated in some astrological teachings as representing the Pisces---the everywoman, the everyman aspect of the Pisces---maiden, mother, crone....

It is interesting that you were in query of Pisces/Aquas in your other thread---

I do not believe in "coincidences!!!"

Blessings

Terri

posted July 16, 2007 07:36 PM              

quote:

---

It is interesting that you were in query of Pisces/Aquas in your other thread---

I do not believe in "coincidences!!!"

---

It IS interesting! I don't believe in coincidences either.

Your tattoo is probably really cool!

Reading about Brigid was very interesting. I never even heard of her before this.

posted July 17, 2007 01:40 AM              

I liked your 1st instinct Mustang. Yes G-Hogs hibernate and all that stuff you said, and they also seem to be frightened of the shadow. Interesting food for thought perhaps.

I have the Goddess Guidance Oracle Cards by Doreen Virtue and here's what they say about Brigit (or Brigid):

quote:

---

"Stand up for what you believe is right."

First be quite clear about your intentions. If you're unclear, then confusion will lessen your power and force. Like a candle in the dark, be very clear and bright in what is acceptable to you in this situation. Make no mistake: I will guide and protect you. And yet, think of the unparalleled rise in your own viewpoint if you are to stand up for yourself, and speak up about your needs and your deepest truth! Now is the time to touch your power, for its heat and flame will ignite your passion, which will propel you forward in countless ways. Even in the face of fear, you can still stand up for your ideals and your truth. Be unwavering, and make your stand today!

Various Meanings of This Card: Be assertive~Don't worry about what others think~Trust that your actions will work out fine~Speak your truth~Stick to your opinions~Put your foot down.

About Brigit (pronounced BRIH-jet): Brigit is a Celtic triple-goddess, which means that she represents three aspects of woman: the young virgin, the nurturing and loving mother, and the crone/sage/wise woman. Brigit is a fiery goddess who tirelessly protects those who call upon her, and she's a feminine counterpart to Archangel Michael's warrior energy. Brigit's temple is in Kildare, Ireland. She's celebrated worldwide on February 1, the ancient sacred say called 'Imbolc', which marks the beginning of springtime and increasing daylight.

---

posted July 17, 2007 03:37 PM              

I'm glad you like school. I bet you're glad you made the switch.