Happy new month!

Though February will have its challenges (see Mercury Retrograde guidance) it should bring a revival energy and inspiration.

This month
We are implementing new behaviors around relationship patterns, and
practicing consciously keeping our boundaries and energy clear.

Around goals and inspiration, the practice is to recognize and respond to when we need to push harder, slow down, or stand still.

*** Doing things on our own terms in our own unique way, and in our own timing. A theme that has come forward the last few years and is now part of the dominant guidance for 2021. Starting now, it will not ease up this year.

Tonight,
at sundown, Imbolc begins.
Even if you’re not celebrating the holiday per se,
it’s a great time to connect with nature and the early spring energy rising within midwinter’s dormancy.

IMBOLC
Celebrated 2/2
Sundown on February 1st through sundown on February 2nd

• also called St Brigid’s day.
• beeswax candles
• Rosemary, Frankincense, Myrrh, Cinnamon
• Brigid’s Cross, Corn Dolly & Spring Flowers
• Colors White, Orange, Red

Although it is considered a Gaelic holiday – attributed to the Celts,
ancient Egyptians, Babylonians and indigenous groups around the world celebrated an equivalent holiday.
{The Christians placed their own holiday – Candlemas, on this day, as well.}

Imbolc falls on the midway point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox.
This ancient holiday observes the waning of winter and the physical manifestation of earth’s energy rising, as spring slowly begins to awaken.
It is the first moments of rebirth, after winter’s death,
and so considered a time for miracles.

With these earliest hints of spring’s approach,
we recognize and celebrate the importance of new life and new beginnings.
After months of turning inward, life is slowly beginning to wake up again.
We are able to get the first glimpse of what will be emerging from the dark period of reflection and healing
… of what is about to be birthed with the Spring, for the year ahead.

One of the 4 Celtic “Fire Festivals”,
Imbolc is the time of the first plantings, and
the beginning of the lambing season.
The longer daylight hours become more noticeable, as the first signs of spring are beginning to show up, and
the the Goddess begins her transformation from the Crone to the Maiden.

It is a festival of light and of fertility, once marked in Europe with huge blazes, torches and fire in every form.

Fire represents our own illumination and inspiration as much as light and warmth.

It is a day of celebrating the Celtic triple Goddess BRIGID.
She is the Goddess of Poetry, Healing, Smithcraft, and Midwifery.

PERSEPHONE,
HECATE
The GREEN MAN
And of course
GAIA- Mother Earth,
Also tend to be more present at this time. Acknowledging them – or the one you feel most connected to, as well, will be of benefit.

This is a time
For communing with them, and
For honoring the lengthening periods of light and its warmth which fertilizes the Earth,
By building a fire and/or lighting multiple candles.

It is a time of purification and renewal, through the power of the Sun.

To me for our modern times,
the “feast” of Imbolc
should be on the lighter side,
as we are still in the midst of winter’s dormancy.
A nice soup, a bit of cheese, some wine, and perhaps a lovely seed cake are more than enough for our slowly awakening bodies.

Remember to honor Mother Nature and her creatures.
Scatter some seed outside.
Perhaps set out some corn and hay.
Make an offering for the Fae, as well.

It is traditional upon Imbolc,
at sunset or just after ritual,
to light every lamp in the house – if only for a few moments.
Or,
light candles in each room in honour of the sun.

If snow lies on the ground outside, walk in it for a moment, recalling the warmth of summer, while tracing an image of the Sun on the snow.

~ Jill ?
Channel * Psychic-Medium * Energy Worker
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