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The Theft of Imbolc
More and more, as religious knowledge is augmented by study and spread via the various media, it has become clear that the Pagan traditions extending back millennia were - in the early days post-Jesus - "Christianized" (aka stolen) to lessen the import of Paganism and convince Pagans themselves the new faith was not so different from their own. Pagans had Gods and Goddesses. Christians had God and Mary. Same thing.
Can you say, "Hogwash"?
Imbolc is a prime example of this thievery. According to Christian scriptures, forty days after his birth, Jesus was presented at the temple, per Jewish tradition. His mother, Mary, was also "purified" at the same time, having been considered "unclean" after the birth of her child.
How is it Jesus' "birthday" conveniently falls so near Yule, and the Presentation/Purification on Imbolc? If one continues to examine the Wheel of the Year, it is found Ostara coincides with Easter, Beltane with the "May Crowning" of Mary, etc.
The main clue to the theft of Imbolc can be seen in the Christian practice of preparing a year's supply of ceremonial candles for blessing on the feast of the Presentation. For Pagans, Imbolc is a feast of light, with a rededication of the hearthfires in some traditions, and the making/blessing of candles which light the still-dark nights.
If the Christians were so reviled by Pagan practices in those ancient times (as they now claim to have been), why did they take Pagan celebrations and mimic them? Is it not because they saw a validity in these very traditions and, having none of their own at that time, robbed Pagans of theirs?
Very few modern "Christians in the pews" - those who have never studied their faith beyond Sunday school classes or parochial grade school - know about the theft committed by their Church in the name of faith. They continue to see Paganism as "evil", its practitioners as "damned", and so forth. To ask a bona fide, theologically trained priest or minister the truth of the matter, and they have to admit the skewed actions of their hierarchical ancestors.
It's also one activity for which the Pope will never apologize to Pagans.
It goes further, still. Another tradition of Imbolc is divination, looking toward the coming planting/harvest season. This was stolen and turned into the totally innocuous "Groundhog Day". It's not acceptable for Christians to read Tarot cards, Runes or tea leaves, but watching a poor animal pulled from his hibernation to see or not see his shadow is acceptable.
There may come a time when a Pagan can stand at the pulpit in a Christian church on a feast such as Imbolc and explain the truth to a congregation which may actually be open-minded enough to admit the correlation between the Pagan "Feast of Lights" and "Candlemas". What would be even more encouraging would be an ecumenical celebration of the feast, with a Pagan priest/priestess blessing the candles made by Christian hands.
Somehow, I don't see that happening anytime soon, but Pagans can be comforted by the fact the Christian churchs do see a value in our traditions - so much so, they made them their own.
- Quill