Monday 1 February 2010

Mid-Point of the Dark.



Dawn.

Warm blessing to you one and all, today, 
Imbolc, St. Brigid's Day,
the midpoint of the dark half of the year. 



Now, let's celebrate the returning of the light,
the approaching Spring!

Ps That top photo is not enhanced in any way. 
That's just how it was!

26 comments:

Laura said...

What a glorious photo of earth sky and sea. just beautiful. It's so cold here right now it's hard to believe that we are turning toward spring. The earth wakes up very slowly where I live. We don't usually have blossoms until the end of May, sometimes the beginning of June. But it will arrive eventually. For now, it is still a quiet time of nestling into blankets and sweaters near a cozy pellet stove.

Paddy said...

St. Brigid's Day. Spring is here....again.

Ciara Brehony said...

Laura, I can't seem to leave a comment on your Happy Place post! Don't know why. But it was inspiring and beautiful. Hope you get this. C x

Gigi Thibodeau said...

What glorious photos, Ciara! Yes, the thought of spring is a wonderful thing to celebrate. We went for a long walk in the bitter cold this afternoon as the sun set, and I felt no signs of spring, yet the birds must have because there were robins and bluebirds out. Just glimpsing them gave me a lift!

Katherine Krige said...

It must have been a day of sunshine all over the world. How lovely a thought. I too wandered outside to get some rays and smiles into a mid-winter body. Beautiful pictures Ciara.
Katherine

affectioknit said...

Yes, let's...

Mel said...

Yes, let's!! Hurray for midway!

Oooh, that top photo-- I just want to step into that dawn! If you put it in a bowl, I'd eat it! The colors and light remind me very much of your beautiful tissue-papered lanterns... the perfect mood maker as we celebrate approaching spring!

Been thinking of you... so nice to read your sweet words on my blog!
xo

Unknown said...

Gorgeous photos! Breathtaking view!

Anonymous said...

it's beautiful!

Martin said...

I believe I can feel the warmth of the sunshine on my shoulders already.

Formerly known as Frau said...

Woot woot I'm welcoming Spring as another snow storm hits us...good lord will it ever stop!

Jess said...

Yay! The mid point of the dark! I wish I'd celebrated this properly yesterday, oh well, better late than never! xx

Mise said...

One of my favourite days of the year, and now I'm all ready to put winter behind me and launch into light and hope and Cadbury's creme eggs. Your photos are beautiful. My daughter came home from school yesterday with a St. Bridget's Cross she'd made and somehow it made me think of you and Milkmoon.

A Daft Scots Lass said...

Any excuse to celebrate!

Rebecca S. said...

Oh my word, what beautiful photos! You do bring out very poetic feelings in me, Chiara.

Rebecca S. said...

Oops, I spelled your name wrong. My Italian friend's name is spelled with an h.

Ciara Brehony said...

Hee hee, no worries Rebecca! It's a common enough mistake for anyone not familiar with my name. :-D

marty, sharon and pearl said...

gorgeous photos ciara....and thanks for the tip off on the imminent arrival of spring - you could forget there was such a thing when in the midst of the winter cold and darkness! s x

Pandorah's Box said...

What gorgeous pictures! And what a beautiful day to celebrate!

This post made me happy!

gracia said...

Spring after all the grey and chill, yes, it is time to celebrate.

Beautiful photos posted... they've cooled my hot summer eve beautifully. Thanks... I feel restored.

nancy said...

beautiful photos, Ciara! nice bonfire!!! great way to celebrate a fire festival...i'm realizing i may not be able to email you via blogpost, so if you can e-mail me at n {underscore} forde {at sign} hotmail {dot} com.

Irmhild said...

Oh, I thought the mid point of the dark half was winter solstice? does spring start 1st February in Ireland? It's not till 20th March in Germany (spring equinox)! although that's the calendar/astronomical beginning, the meteorologists go with 1st of March...

Ciara Brehony said...

Irmhild, yes you are right! The mid-point of the dark is the Winter Solstice when, as you know, the days are at their shortest. And from the Spring Equinox day and night are equal lengths. But traditionally here in Ireland we celebrate St. Brigid's Day as the first day of Spring (even though it still feels miles away!). We are still in the darkest part of the year, when night is longer than day, and on this side of the Winter Solstice we are at the half-point. Bit confusing I know. I think it was just to give hope to people on those long dark Winter nights!

nancy said...

(i'm gonna miss those long winter nights, myself) ;) just wanted to say i put my e-mail up there in my comment above, Ciara. hope to hear from you soon. :)

Liz Meehan Neighbors said...

how beautiful your st.brigid's day photos are! it's still snowy on the east coast in the u.s.! your blog is my inspiration.

Jodi Kendall said...

Beautiful photos. I am anxiously awaiting for the snow to melt and spring to arrive...