Celebrating Candlemas: A Festival of Light

Candlemas Day is a festival of candles, bringing warmth and brightness in the midst of a cold, dark winter. Celebrated 40 days after Christmas, Candlemas shifts our attention back to the earth, symbolizing the return of light and the anticipation of spring.

What is Candlemas? In Scotland, folklore suggests that the weather on Candlemas Day predicts the length of winter. A bright and sunny day means winter will linger, while a stormy and cloudy day signals its end.

One of the central traditions of Candlemas is the ritual of digging a hole in the ground and lighting a candle inside it. This symbolises warming the earth, heralding the arrival of spring, and offering light and warmth to encourage new growth.

Our Celebration As a community, we gather in a circle around the ‘earth candle’ and share the Candlemas story. The candle is then lit and carefully covered with a glass dome to preserve its glow while everyone sings a traditional Candlemas song.

This beautiful ceremony reminds us of the natural cycles of the earth and the importance of hope, renewal, and the coming of brighter days.

We are honoured to share this meaningful tradition with our community, fostering a deeper connection to the changing seasons and to one another.