Keyte and parrott, in the new oxford book of carols, note that in the 17th. If december 26, the day after christmas, is the first day, then twelfth night falls on january 6, the evening of epiphany itself. Ceremony upon candlemas eve by robert herrick down with the rosemary, and so down with the bays and misletoe. This old poem, ceremony upon candlemas eve, is about doing just that. Regency era christmas evergreen decorations jane austens world.
The presentation of jesus at the temple falls on 2 february and celebrates an early episode in the life of jesus. Instead of holly, now upraise the greener box, for show. A rhyme called ceremony upon candlemas eve by robert. If hap it must, that i must see thee lie absyrtuslike, all torn confusedly. February 2 the feast of the presentation of the lord deserves more attention than just being the absolute final. Candlemas new world witchery the search for american.
For look, how many leaves there be neglected, there maids, trust to me so many goblins you shall see. Nowadays any christmas decorations not taken down by twelfth night january 5th should be left up until candlemas day and then taken down. Down with the rosemary, and so down with the baies and misletoe. Jewish women went through a purification ceremony 40 days after the birth of a male child 80 days after the birth of a female child and brought a lamb to the temple to be sacrificed. Herrick included a poem, ceremony upon candlemas eve, in his book. Jan 27, 2008 first of all, on the eve of candlemas, we will take down the last of our christmas decorations and store them away till next year, since this is the last day we see the infant jesus in the gospel readings. That so the superstitious find no one least branch there left behind. Printed for john williams and francis eglesfield, 1648.
Light candles of these colors to commemorate the concepts symboized by candlemas. Heathstubbs february john heathstubbs ceremony upon candlemas eve robert herrick at candlemas charles causley. Robert herrick 15911674, ceremony upon candlemas eve as the poem by robert herrick records, the eve of candlemas was the day on which christmas decorations of greenery were removed from peoples homes. Keith thomas in his important book religion and the decline of magic argues in a similar direction when he says that it would be a fairer view to understand the ritual as the result of superstitious popular opinions rather than as its. Poem ceremony upon candlemas eve written by robert. Down with the rosemary, and so down with the bays and mistletoe. Instead of holly, now upraise the greener box for show. I know everybody is going on and on about groundhogs, but i think candlemas is a much more beautiful and meaningful holiday. Candlemas day british culture, british customs and british. Candlemas also spelled candlemass, also known as the feast of the presentation of jesus christ and the feast of the purification of the blessed virgin mary, is a christian holy day commemorating the presentation of jesus at the temple. Other traditional names include candlemas, the feast of the purification of the virgin, and the meeting of the lord. Candlemas creativity white represents purity, pale green denotes a fresh start and growth and a flame signifies the kindling of creativity.
Taking down christmas decorations on candlemas eve. It is celebrated on february 2nd, the 40th day after christmas, and is. On candlemas eve all christmas greens must be taken down. Ceremony upon candlemas eve poem by robert herrick poem. In his ceremony upon candlemas eve, down with the rosemary, and so he wrote. With solemn tears, and with much grief of heart, ill recollect thee. Robert herrick 15911674, ceremony upon candlemas eve herricks poem was set to music for west gallery choirs in england, but i cannot find a decent performance. Down with the holly, ivy, all, wherewith ye dressd the christmas hall according to the pelican shakespeare anthology, it was written for a private performance for elizabeth i in 1601. If christmas day is the first of the twelve days, then twelfth night would be on january 5, the eve of epiphany. Candlemas eve february 1st, allowing them to continue burning until sunrise. Ceremony upon candlemas eve down with the rosemary, and so. Down with the rosemary, and so down with the baies and mistletoe.
Then youthful box, which now hath grace your houses to renew. Numerous and frequentlyupdated resource results are available from this search. This corresponds to a longstanding custom in which the eve of candlemas was the day for removal of christmas decorations, especially those made of. Reliable information about the coronavirus covid19 is available from the world health organization current situation, international travel. Known as candlemas, imbolg, brigantia, or lupercus, it is a hopefilled celebration held in early february to welcome the returning light and the promise of spring. Robert herrick 15911674, ceremony upon candlemas eve as the poem by robert herrick records, the eve of candlemas was the day on which christmas decorations of. Twelfth night also known as epiphany eve is a festival in some branches of christianity that takes place on the last night of the twelve days of christmas, marking the coming of the epiphany. Ceremony upon candlemas eve poem by robert herrick. Ceremonies for candlemas eve weekends in paradelle. Robert herrick 15911674, ceremony upon candlemas eve. Sheet music from martin shaw and percy dearmer, the english carol book, second series london.
It is based upon the account of the presentation of jesus in luke 2. Your houses to renew, grown old, surrender must his place. The presentation of jesus at the temple is the ceremony. That so the superstitious find no one least branch there left beh. The oxford book of christmas poems 9780192760517 and a great selection of similar new, used and collectible books available now at great prices. In the northern hemisphere, this festival comes while winters grip is still upon the land. Down with the rosemary, and so down with the bays and misletoe. As the poem by robert herrick records, the eve of candlemas. In the eastern orthodox church, it is one of the twelve great feasts, and is sometimes called hypapante, lit. Feast of flames holiday series k, amber, k, azrael arynn on. The variation extends even to the issue of how to count the days. Candlemas was marked on february 2nd as the day on which christmas decorations of. February 2 nd is most generally known as candlemas, a day that has both sacred and secular meanings.
New year resolutions june crebbin new year song ted hughes epiphany poem george mackay brown ceremony upon candlemas eve robert herrick at candlemas charles. The chosen date is said to derive from a collect in the 1549 book of common prayer, used. Down with the holly, ivy, all, wherewith ye dressd the christmas hall robert herrick 15911674, ceremony upon candlemas eve. Some people believed that candlemas predicted the weather for the rest of the winter. The land of story books, by robert louis stevenson. February 2 the feast of the presentation of the lord deserves more attention than just being the absolute final day for the christmas decorations. Oclcs webjunction has pulled together information and resources to assist library staff as they consider how to handle coronavirus. Groundhog day candlemass february 2 what does it mean. Twelfth night holiday wikimili, the best wikipedia reader. Jan 24, 2020 in any case, when candlemas is finished, all feelings of christmas give way to the penitential feelings of septuagesima and then lent. This corresponds to a longstanding custom in which the eve of candlemas was the day for removal of christmas decorations, especially those made of greenery. Down with the holly, ivie, all wherewith ye drest the christmas hall.
Let box now domineer, until the dancing easterday, or easters eve appear. Dec 08, 2001 beyond the darkness of winter, there is an oasis of light and warmth on the journey from solstice to spring. If candlemas be fair and bright winter will have another flight if candlemas be cloud and rain winter will be gone and not come again and heres one from 17 thcentury poet robert herrick whom you may know as the author of to the virgins, to make much of time. There is one more sacred day that should not be lost in avalanche of the winter holidays. Simon proctor, once a successful musician, accepts help from gwendolyn and adrienne, two witches, in order to reach the top again.
Ceremonies for candlemas eve by robert herrick famous poems. Robert herrick 15911674 in his poem ceremony upon candlemas eve writes. Down with the rosemary and sodown with the bays and misletoedown with the holly ivy all. Down with the holly, ivy, all, wherewith ye dressd the christmas hall. To his book if hap it must, that i must see thee lie. Ceremony upon candlemas eve analysis robert herrick. For look, how many leaves there be neglected there, maids, trust to me, so many goblins you shall see. To his book if hap it must, that i must see thee lie full. Ceremony upon candlemas eve by robert herrick yule log by robert herrick moonless darkness stands between by gerard manley hopkins. Feb 28, 2014 further research suggests that it is a custom which has waxed and then waned over the centuries to such a point that noone would be aware of it largely. Jan 28, 2019 i know everybody is going on and on about groundhogs, but i think candlemas is a much more beautiful and meaningful holiday.
Another tradition allows for some or all of the decorations to remain until candlemas. Candlemas being the presentation of our lord jesus christ in the temple and. The mid17 th century english poet robert herrick 15911674 wrote at least four poems concerning candlemas. Candlemas is the festival of the flame, and is best performed at night. Herrick included a poem, ceremony upon candlemas eve, in his book hesperides. Being the 40th day after christmas it marks the true end of the christmas season and, liturgically, we start looking ahead, ultimately, to easter. The presentation of jesus at or in the temple is an early episode in the life of jesus. Attention, all procrastinatorsthose last christmas decorations must go, following the old custom that leaving any trace of holly or berries after candlemas is inauspicious. Why the feast of the presentation is more important than you. Candlemas is the most ancient of all the festivals honoring mary.
Candlemas also is known as the presentation of jesus at the temple, exactly 40 days after the nativity. The eve of candlemas was the day on which christmas decorations and greenery were removed from peoples homes and churches. Our editorial voice, always faithful to the teachings of the church, assists and inspires catholic clergy and laity. Robert herrickpoems wikisource, the free online library. In medieval times, candlemas day was traditionally the time that any remaining christmas decorations were to be removed, lest some evil befall the household. Winter is bade farewell, and as spring approaches, its a time to think of love. In the secular world in britain it marked a turning point in the agricultural year, and was a quarter day in scotland and northern england when rents were due and spring farm hiring began. Today we call it candlemas, imbolg, or by other names. To his book come thou not near those men who are like bread to his book go thou forth, my book, though late to his book have i not blest thee. First of all, on the eve of candlemas, we will take down the last of our christmas decorations and store them away till next year, since this is the last day we see the infant jesus in the gospel readings. Read the entire poem ceremony upon candlemas eve written by robert herrick. Twelfth night is a festival in some branches of christianity marking the coming of the epiphany and concluding the twelve days of christmas it is defined by the shorter oxford english dictionary as the evening of the fifth of january, preceding twelfth day, the eve of the epiphany, formerly the last day of the christmas festivities and observed as a time of merrymaking. The chosen date is said to derive from a collect in the 1549 book of common prayer, used on the. Ceremony upon candlemas eve by robert herrick 15911674, or down with the rosemary and bays, down with the misletoe.
This tradition is witnessed by poet robert herrick 15911654 in two of his poems, one of them ceremony upon candelmas eve. In either case, the creche remains in the church and homes until the eucharist of candlemas, following which it is dismantled and all remaining christmas decorations are also removed. As you gaze at the flaming taper, ask the goddess for inspiration. Different traditions mark the date of twelfth night on either 5 january or 6 january, depending on which day one considers to be the first of the twelve days. That so the superstitious find not one least branch there left behind. Why the feast of the presentation is more important than. Christmas in prints, michael olmert, 2008, colonial williamsburg. A rhyme called ceremony upon candlemas eve by robert herrick 1591 1674 goes. The superstitious believed that if all traces of berries, holly and so forth werent removed there would be a death among the congregation before the year was out. In ceremony upon candlemas eve, one of several poems on candlemas by 17thcentury english poet robert herrick, he exclaims. Ceremonies for candlemas eve by robert herrick down with the rosemary and bays, down with the misletoe. All participants shall write upon the paper things and qualities they wish to gain during the coming season, and then place them in the basket prior to ritual. Candlemas day british culture, british customs and. In any case, when candlemas is finished, all feelings of christmas give way to the penitential feelings of septuagesima and then lent.
This is sage household advice that comes to us from the 17th century british poet, robert herrick. For those of us who want a goblinfree home and lets face it, who doesnt these days. Down with the holly, ivy, all wherewith ye dressd the christmas hall. Down with the rosemary and sodown with the bays and misletoedown with the holly ivy. Robert herrick wrote a verse on the ceremonies of candlemas eve hesperides, 1852, p. But more importantly it is the feast of the meeting of the lord in the temple basically, jesuss and marys 40 day blessing. By tradition, candlemas eve was the date upon which all christmas decorations were removed. Ceremony upon candlemas eve down with the rosemary, and so down with the bays and misletoe. Summary, overview, explanation, meaning, description, purpose, bio. A chief provider and curator of catholic information on the web since 1996. Simon proctor, once a successful musician, accepts help from. Regency era christmas evergreen decorations jane austen. Then go forth, nor fear to his book if hap it must, that i must see thee lie to his book like to a bride, come forth, my book, at last to his book make haste away, and let one be.
1010 701 1565 1534 447 1084 1153 365 226 885 80 77 154 302 729 134 361 1490 370 977 116 1228 659 1249 155 1369 1480 1322 62 443 1172 882 849 215 868 291 216 230 1474