By Susan Levitt

HAPPY CANDLEMAS! Today Thursday February 2 is Candlemas, also known as Imbolc and Michaelmas. Today marks the point between Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox.

The 4 major Solar holidays in Western astrology are the cardinal points of Winter Solstice the longest night, close to or on December 21; Spring Equinox time of equal day and equal night, on March 19 in 2012; Summer Solstice the longest day, on June 20 this year; and Autumn Equinox, again equal day and equal night, on September 22.

There are 4 minor Solar holidays that mark the points between the Solstices and Equinoxes. Candlemas is today, a fire festival of the Godess Bridget and first stirrings of spring. May 1 is May Day, also called Beltane, a springtime earth celebration that occurs between Spring Equinox and Summer Solstice. Both Bridget and Beltane are spring festivals of the Maiden aspect of the Maiden-Mother-Crone Goddess.

Lammas on August 2 marks the point between Summer Solstice and Autumn Equinox. Lammas and Autumn Equinox are Mother Goddess (and grain God) harvest festivals.

Halloween, also called Hallomas, is the point between Autumn Equinox and Winter Solstice. Halloween, the most popular of the 4 minor Solar holidays, falls close to November 2 the Day of the Dead. Halloween, Day of the Dead, and Winter Solstice are all holidays of the Crone Goddess. Google around and read much more about these holidays if this is of interest to you.

Today is Candlemas, an auspicious day for divination with animals — and not just groundhogs! Contemplate a question that has a yes/no solution, then start observing the movement of animals. My favorite is ornithomancy, divination from the flight of birds. Birds flying to the right means yes, to the left means no. This can work for a dog, cat, squirrel, or any animal.

Ornithomancy was used in ancient times by sailors who were lost at sea to follow the flight of birds to reach land. The ancient Aztec Indians followed an eagle to where it landed on a cactus; that image is on the Mexican flag. So take some time today to observe nature, and maybe get a second opinion from the creatures that surround us.

Happy holidays!