February 2: Candlemas

When Persephone, young daughter of Zeus and Demeter went missing, it was a sad time for both the goddess and mankind. Demeter was beside herself with fear and sorrow. Her best friend Hekate, goddess of witchcraft, lent her two magical torches to enlighten her quest, and she dwelt around the world, looking in every cave and cavern. In vain. She forgot all about her duties as goddess of fertility and harvest, and a cold and harsh winter set in. The meadows laid barren under a cover of snow, the trees were leafless and on the frozen fields, nothing could be sown or planted. In an effort to help the goddess, the people on earth also lit their candles and joined her in her search. They marched in procession and brought sweet flat pastries to her temple as comforting sacrifices. Demeter didn’t find her daughter, because she had been abducted to the underworld. But millennia later, this time of year, people all over the world still walk in candle lit processions. And also, to the joy of many, they still bake Demeter’s comfort food.