News — imbolc
A few things about snowdrops
Posted by lindsay atkinson on
'If Candlemas day be fair and bright, winter will take another flight. If Candlemas day be foul and rain, winter is gone and won't come again.' The Christian festival of Candlemas on the 2nd February and the pagan festival of Imbolc (pronounced imulk) on the 1st February are both closely associated with the snowdrop which is reaching its height around now. Both are festivals of light and hope to mark the end of winter and the very beginnings of spring stirrings. Its Latin name, Galanthus Nivalis means 'milk flower of the snow' and some of its common names include Candlemas Bell, Snow Lily...