THE CHARMING OF THE PLOW
THE FIRST AGRICULTURAL FESTIVAL OF THE YEAR
FEBRUARY 2, 2010, 3:00-4:30 PM at FROG BELLY FARM
February 2 is a pivotal day in the agrarian year. Also know as Candlemas, St Bridget's Day, or Groundhog Day its multi-cultural significance lies in that if falls midway between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. Customary celebrations throughout the world celebrate the lengthening of days, and the return of the light as the sun rises higher in the sky.
Traditions of renewal are also associated with this day. It is a day of cleansing and purification, and spring-cleaning. In some countries all fires were extinguished, and the hearth was rekindled with a new flame after being blessed. It is also a time of planning for the coming year. Agricultural workers would commit to yearly contracts on this day.
The Charming of the Plow is a fertility rite that marks the beginning of the planting season. Farm tools are sharpened and blessed to ensure that the earth would receive the plough and in turn provide a good harvest. Seeds are also blessed. The earth is ceremoniously opened, and in the first furrow a charm or corn dolly is buried with offerings of milk or mead, songs, prayers and intentions.
You are invited to join us for this ceremonious opening of the earth, and blessing for the first furrow. We will bless our tools and seeds, process to the fields, dig our furrow, make our offerings, commit our prayers, and dance and sing for the land.
There is a $5/ person suggested Donation
Please RSVP to mellymom@gmail.com or call 303-772-7802