Cook potatoes in a pot of boiling water until tender (at least 20 minutes);
drain, reserving water.
Place potatoes in a large bowl.
Add chopped cabbage to the reserved potato water. Cook 6-8 minutes or until
tender.
Mash potates with a hand masher.
Add milk, salt and pepper and beat until fluffly.
Imbolc Feast Lamb Stew
Ingredients
2- 1/2 lb. lamb neck chops
1 tbs. lamb fat
4 medium onions
1 tbs. butter/margarine
4 medium carrots
2 1/2 cups water
4 medium potatoes
1 tbs. parsley, chopped
1 tsp. each salt & pepper
1 tbs. chives, chopped
Preparation:
Don't let the butcher trim the fat off of the lamb chops. Shred some of the excess
fat and cook it down in a large pot or Dutch-oven. Peel the onions, carrots, and
potatoes. Cut the onions and carrots into quarters, and put all the vegetables
aside. Cut the meat into eight pieces, and trim away the rest of the excess fat. The
bones need not be removed. Place the meat in the hot fat and brown. Repeat with
the onions and carrots. Add water, salt, and pepper carefully. Put whole potatoes
on top. Cover pot and simmer gently until meat is cooked, approx. 2 hours. Remove
from heat. Pour off the cooking liquid into a separate sauce pan, allow to cool for a
few minutes, skim off grease, and reheat. Add butter, chives, and parsley to the
reheated liquid in the sauce pan. Pour heated liquid back over the stew. Serve hot.
Makes 4-6 servings.
Baked Custard
Ingredients
4 eggs
3 C. milk
1/2 C. sugar
1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
A pinch of salt
Preparation
Preheat your oven to 350.
Combine all the ingredients into the bowl of a food processor, and blend for about
15 seconds, or until well mixed.
Pour custard mix into ramekins or custard cups.
Place the ramekins into a baking dish, and fill the dish with hot water up to a depth
of about 3/4".
Bake the custards for one hour.
Visit Patrick McCleary's Pagandad Website for more wonderful articles and recipes. A great resource for celebrating the Sabbats and seasons with your children.
Springs impending return! This ancient festival, Celtic in origin, is considered one of the greater sabbats. This celebration marks the early signs of spring and the lengthening of days. The lighting of fire and candles represent the return of the sun. We honor the Goddess as the waiting bride of the returning sun God. Other names for this time are: St. Bridget’s Day, Candlemas, Candlelaria, the Snowdrop Festival, the Festival of Lights or the Feast of the Virgin. During this celebration we honor the goddess Brigid.
To celebrate Imbolc you should set your alter with white candles. Decorate with holly, nuts fruit and a small bowl of wheat berries. Place three ears of corn on the door as a symbol of the Triple Goddess and leave until Ostara. Cleanse the area where you do reading with a censor burning rosemary or vervain, and say:
“By the power of this smoke I wash away the negative influences that this place be cleansed for the Lady and her babe.”
Cleanse the alter and tools. Do a self-purification rite with the elemental tools representing earth (salt) for body, air (incense) for thoughts, fire (candle flame) for will, and water (water) for emotions.
Leave a ribbon outside before going to bed for Brigid to bless. This is an excellent time for divination.
Here is a simple ritual for Imbolc:
After casting your circle, say a blessing such as:
Blessed be the earth, and all who dwell upon it. We give thanks for the season now departing from us. For the blessings it has bestowed upon us, And upon those with whom we share this world. Blessed be the new season. We pray that it will be a time filled with peace, With abundance, with prosperity, With wisdom, With love. Blessed be all who share this feast. Let us now prepare for the time ahead By opening our hearts, and our minds, and our spirits. Blessed be.
Thank your Deities, say goodbye to the darkness of winter and welcome the coming of the sun and new life. Lay your wand or crystal point on the bowl of wheat and acknowledge and welcome the cycle of death and birth and the continuous turning of the wheel. Sing, chant, make music or meditate at this point, whatever method you choose to bring your psychic ability to a higher level. When ready, use your diving tools for your enlightenment. When you feel your ritual is complete, thank your Deities for all you have and close with the cakes and wine ceremony.
Now, on to the feast! Traditional winter foods such as ham, root vegetables, fresh crusty breads and winter fruits like apples and pears should be served. Food should be plentiful! Mead, ale, spiced wine would all be appropriate beverages.
GODDESS SCENT by Cynthia Lilith Grove
Incensed air fulfills the night Shredding threads of pale moonlight Transient stars caught in flight The chants enthrall with sweet delight.
Blessed shadows of Imbolc Eve, Combined with past and present weave All the secrets yet untold The oil of freedom embalms the soul.
Candles burn as spirits spark, The fire surrounds accepting hearts And rampant auras mystify As the sweetened scents of Goddess abide.
Dancing madly in sheer delight, You sacrifice your fear of night Now the sacred Spirit sent… Now the night of Bridget spent.
Embracing all, rejecting none, The moon encompasses the sun And life is sweet mid winter's eve Yielding promise of spring ecstasy.
