Imbolc: The Awakening of New Life
On February 1st the Wheel of the Year turns and we welcome Imbolc, a seasonal festival that celebrates the very first stirrings of new life, and the subtle whispers of spring.
Spring is coming!!!
Even though it’s still winter, lower temperatures and snow on the ground in many places, we can now sense the subtle hints and feelings of spring within and without.
Nature is slowly moving towards a new season, and the excitement of spring is rising.
Have you felt it? Perhaps it’s a kind of excitement for life that you can’t really explain…
Ahh so magical indeed to be of the Earth, and feel Nature as you.
The Wheel of the Year is an annual cycle of seasonal festivals that has its roots in Celtic traditions. Today it’s honored by Pagans, Wiccans, Witches of all kinds, spiritual seekers and ALL nature-lovers who wish to honor the subtle shifts in Nature, and celebrate the turning of the seasons.
There are eight seasonal festivals that makes up The Wheel of the Year. Imbolc is a cross quarter one, and it symbolizes the halfway point between the Winter Solstice (Yule, December 21st) and the Spring Equinox (Ostara, March 21st).
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Attuning to The Wheel of the Year has brought me great inner harmony, balance and peace. It guided me to align with Nature’s rhythms, and embrace my own inner nature.
Deepening my connection to nature brought me closer to myself, for I am nature. The seasons are not only happening outside of me, they also happening within.
As I’ve allowed myself to follow the rhythm of Nature, and let my heartbeat fall into synch with the heartbeat of Mother Earth, it has created a bridge between Heaven and Earth, within me. It’s allowed me to anchor in higher frequencies and really ground it in my body.
It has opened up a deeper love of the physical world, and my body. It has taken me deeper into my truth and the knowing that I am safe to live it.
I feel more grounded, at peace, trusting, abundant and in love with myself - and life.
The Goddess is Nature. She is me. I am Nature. Close to her, I am always free.
Enjoy this introduction to Imbolc.
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THE MEANING OF IMBOLC
Nature is slowly starting to awaken after her winter slumber, and this is soo very exiting.
Imbolc is a time of hope, anticipation, renewal & excitement.
The word "imbolc" means "in the belly of the Mother". The seeds of spring are now gently beginning to awaken within the belly of Mother Earth. This gentle awakening and rising, will also be felt within our bodies. We too, are children of Mother Earth, and we flow to the same rhythm.
Much has been revealed during our winter season of hibernation, introspection and resting. Now is the time to clear, cleanse and let go of the things we have outgrown, and that is not supportive of who we are to become.
Along with the sense of hope and sweet anticipation for a new life, this is also a time of healing, purification and cleansing to prepare ourselves for spring and the NEW.
This is the time to de-clutter, and shed all that died within us during winter, in order to prepare for the exciting new growth that is to come.
Imbolc is connected to Brigid, the Celtic fire and fertility Goddess. Birth, fertility, creativity, and fire are all important themes and elements.
Life is beginning to stir again. Just as Nature is beginning to awaken from its winter slumber, we are also awakening with new plans, visions and excitement for life.
-Perhaps you can feel the new version of you that is rising, and what needs to be cleared out for this to grow?
-As we are now beginning to plan what seeds will go into the soil in spring, perhaps you have some exciting plans for your own blossoming?
It may be that during winter you’ve been contemplating a call to change, or doing things differently, perhaps you’ve been dreaming up new visions, and ideas for your life and being nudged in the direction of your true soul path.
Stay connected to what you feel within your heart… Walk steadily and keep moving forward (no going back now) Trust and believe in yourself. Yes, spring is coming! New life is rising!
TRANSITION AND CHANGE
Imbolc is a very special time of the year. It’s a time of transition, change and upleveling that will ask us to stretch beyond our comfort zone. It may ask us to leave behind what has been safe, comfortable and familiar so we can embrace more of our true self.
"Just like the courageous flowers that are soon popping up, perhaps even with snow still around, life will ask the same kind of courage of you, so you can grow into all that you really are!"
Take advantage of this time, and these energies, for it holds great potential!
The light is growing stronger, the days are getting longer, and the warming rays of the sun is felt more and more. Imbolc marks the end of a period of hibernation and death, representing hope, renewal, regeneration, fertility, and new beginnings.
We shed what is dead, to welcome the new.
Shedding skin is a great methapor for Imbolc, and this time of inner growth. We are still in the process, not quite reborn yet, but we are on our way. This is where courage and faith comes in, to trust this death/rebirth process.
COURAGE is what this world needs! Courage to die, courage to live, and courage to be free.
Associated with spring and purity, snowdrops blooms at the end of winter, marking the beginning of spring.
Just as these little beauties, we’re also beginning to poke our heads out from our own inner worlds. Now is a time to start bringing your own inner work, those magical visions, plans, dreams and changes you’ve been sensing and seeing, out into the world.
The growing energy of the season is supporting you with this.
By honoring our inner soul calling, embracing change and new beginnings, we ensure our growth. It might be really uncomfortable, but my guess is that what lies on the other side is pretty magical.
IMBOLC RITUALS AND PROMPTS
Here are some wonderful ritual and prompts to take with you in the days and weeks to come.
Fire is a key element to Imbolc, so lightening candles while saying a prayer is a wonderful, simple Imbolc ritual that you can do. You can also journal about the old and the new, what you are leaving behind, and what you are opening to.
Perhaps you have projects, ideas or visions that you want to organise, and make a plan on how you’re going to bring it out into the world.
De-cluttering your home and surroundings during this time is great. You are freeing up space for the new to bloom. So what needs to go?
Do you have a fire-place? Making a Imbolc fire is wonderful.
Prepare a celebratory dinner with your friends and family in honor of Imbolc. How fun!
Sun-bathing! Go outside when the sun is up, and let its warmth reach you. It may be cold all around, perhaps snow on the ground, but wow does the sun remind you that warmer days are coming. Let the sun ignite a fire within. Feel into all that you are becoming, and that with the strength of the sun, you are rising up in your truth, even if it’s challenging. (especially if its challenging) This is a time of leaving what is safe and comfortable, so you can grow more fully into yourself.
Take a bath. An Imbolc cleansing bath is soo wonderful. Feel into all the things that are being washed away….
My favourite essential oil for Imbolc are Helichrysum (the golden sun), Bergamot, Myrrh, Frankincense, Wild Orange, Patchouli, Osmanthus and Rose.
Here’s some prompts:
During your winter hibernation, what has been growing within you?
From the deep winter dreams and etheric realms, what sprouts of new life are now beginning to appear?
What are the changes you are called to make?
What version of you is emerging? Describe this version of you…
What new ideas, projects or changes would you like to bring to life over the next months?
What are you most excited about?
What feels incredibly uncomfortable and a little scary, but also soo liberating, true and in alignment with who you are?
Beaming you love and the brightest Imbolc blessings. May the new chapter ahead be filled with all the things that lights you up, and may it feel like your Soul is on fire!!
I love you, and celebrate all of you!
-Marita