For St.Brigid's Day and Imbolc - how the first snowdrop became.

'The Angel expels Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden'
Stained Glass from the Church of Holy Hill, Hubertus, Wisconsin

   It was the eve of Brighid's Day when he at last agreed to go down to the earth once again. As he plummeted towards the garden - the promised place - he felt the ice crystals in the air, saw the stars far above glitter with frozen light.  

  

   Landing lightly on the grass, fragile in the frost, he could see them. Close together, shivering despite the coverings contrived from feathers and weeds which hung from waists and shoulders, arms raised to protect frightened eyes from his light.

   He spread his monumental wings, stepping towards them -  

"The Creator says you must leave this place, it is no longer yours as a privilege."

Giving them no time to wonder or delay, the sheer magical strength of him compelled them to move - downwards, along the path, towards all that was unknown and outside.

   Watching the two, hand in hand, heads bowed with tears, he noticed the first snow drifting like thistledown through the silent night.  Deep sorrow he felt for them and stretched out a hand. Snowflakes gathered in his palm, hexagonal wonders, showing no sign of thawing there.   Bringing them closer to his mouth, he breathed a sigh over their perfection. As the crystals were touched with the breath, each turned to a three petalled snowdrop flower, swaying on a long stem, each with a touch of fresh, soft green.

   "Take a sign of hope," he called, "a sign for your kind and for the earth outside." As they moved towards the gap in the stone wall, he threw the snowdrops in a halo shower around their heads. They walked on unawares, taking the little blessing with them.

 Snowdrop

Many, many welcomes,

February fair-maid,

Ever as of old time,

Solitary firstling,

Coming in the cold time,

Prophet of the gay time,

Prophet of the May time,

Prophet of the roses,

Many, many welcomes,

February fair-maid!

Alfred, Lord Tennyson

It may be that you will like a little snowy faery poetry and art,
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