Candlemas and Bringing in Light

Read This First

I originally wrote this post in February of 2023, pre-reversion. I am reposting it not because I agree with everything I wrote here, but because I see my heart floating back to Jesus and back to the truth of the Church. Even if they were the tiniest of flutters, my heart was flying back to Him.

I mention that I hadn’t been to Mass in three years, which was true. I hadn’t been to Mass since Covid. But little did I know that later that month I would receive the sacrament of reconciliation, cry my heart out, fall away again, and then be brought back to Mass at almost the exact same date a year later! I love how God works.

Now Read This

I saw a TikTok recently in which someone was talking about the need for celebrations during the dark months after Christmas. The creator said that in antiquity there were feasts and celebrations to tide people through these times where the weather is still largely dark. She mentioned that celebrating the Wiccan holiday of Imbolc could be a way to lift one’s spirits and bring in light after Christmas.

I’ve been thinking about this for over a month and thought that she made a really valid point. People in antiquity DID have more feasts and it’s partially because human beings NEED celebration days throughout the year. Modern paganism has the wheel of the year and its attendant holidays. Catholicism has:

Particularly, Candlemas, which is tomorrow, February 2. Candlemas is a traditional celebration honoring the presentation of Jesus in the temple. On this day all over the world candles are blessed and people come together to celebrate–now I am speaking in a symbolic sense–the light overcoming darkness.

To put it in a new-age sense, God/the universe/spirit overcoming ego/darkness in the world.

Perhaps we can all celebrate that, even if we do so in the symbolic sense.

Celebrating Candlemas – Some Ideas

This will be more of a reflection than a recommendation since I do not know how people celebrated Candlemas in antiquity (other than attending mass and having their candles blessed). I DO know that as a teacher I will not have the opportunity to go to mass. I think a good start would be to light many candles and have a special dinner (perhaps it could be candlelit).

Another practice would be to focus on gratitude since we are trying to dispel darkness with light.

My Catholic Journey

I haven’t been to Mass in just about three years. The last time I went was just before Covid shut everything down. Before then I went to Mass faithfully every Sunday. When I stopped going to Mass during Covid I felt a lot of trauma coming up from relationships, trauma from the belief that there is goodness in suffering. I took a break from going to church and I felt scared to go back to church. A lot of healing happened during that break but to be honest it left me with a lot of uncertainty in regards to Christianity, Jesus and Catholicism.

I sold every Catholic thing that I had except for St. Therese de Lisieux’s The Story of a Soul. I sold my Bibles, biographies and autobiographies of saints.

Last Sunday I felt a desire to read the Gospels again (particularly the Gospel of John which was my favorite). I went to Barnes and Noble and bought and $8 NAB.

Now allow me quote Scripture here because this particular line brings me so much joy and I hadn’t read it in THREE YEARS.

the light shines in the darkness,

and the darkness has not overcome it.
John 1:5

If that doesn’t sum up every spiritual practice in every part of the world, I don’t know what does. It is so beautiful the way that all cultures come together on this one point, that light shines in the darkness and darkness has not overcome it.

Bringing in Light – Ideas for the Home

For the past month or two I’ve struggled with a sense of darkness in my room. Not in a spiritual sense. I keep my space energetically limpia. But in the sense of being opposed to turning on the overhead light (you fellow neurodivergents know). My lamp didn’t seem like enough.

So in the hopes of bringing in some light I will show you some cozy pictures of my space and how I keep my space a little bit more on the cheery side. Tomorrow I am intending to celebrate Candlemas by lighting a lot of candles.

A Home Altar

Several years ago I won a giveaway in the Catholic blogosphere about setting up a home altar. I wanted to set one up when I was married but I did not feel that I had the liberty to do it. Last year I bought a piece of furniture from IKEA to hold my camera supplies and thought that the top would make a perfect home altar.

I’ve used this altar to hold crystals, candles, pine cones, anything that speaks to me spiritually. The entire point is to bring some beauty into your space. Beauty connects us with God.

These will not be affiliate links, but I wanted to recommend the beeswax candle that I have on my home altar. They are available on Etsy by Kline Honeybee Farm. I really recommend incorporating natural elements into your space.

Lamps, Colors and Flowers

There are other details I keep in my space that make me feel happy during the dark months. I like having lamps evenly spaced throughout the room. I also have some big windows to let in as much light as possible during the day. Things can be bright and colorful. Include fresh flowers where possible.