THE WHEEL OF THE YEAR TURNS - IMBOLC - FEBRUARY 1st – 2nd

The sap is rising in the trees.  Leaf buds are ever-so-slightly swelling.  Under the snow-covered belly of the Mother Earth, the faint stirring of seeds has begun.  Bulbs are pushing up.  Snowdrops and crocuses are breaking through the snow.  You can hear the difference in the chirping sound your backyard  birds are making, and you know they are building nests.  Ewes and nanny goats are ready for lambing and kidding.  The Wheel of the Year has turned once more.  

Warming The Earth from Winter To Spring

Imbolc marks the halfway point between the Winter Solstice and the Vernal Equinox.  It is the true start of Spring. - - a new awakening under the sparkling frost of the slumbering fields.  This is the time when the waters begin to melt and flow, a time for cleansing and purification.  It is the time when we notice the sun’s light lengthening and our own spirits grow brighter as well.  This is the time, in the Celtic tradition, to honor Brigid (pronounced Bride), the goddess of water and fire, and the patroness of poetry, smith craft and midwifery.  She brings us gifts of inspiration, creativity and healing.  She is the patroness of childbirth and she watches over pregnant women and mothers.

Now is when we start our Spring cleaning, not only of our homes, but also of our bodies and minds.  It is a good time for purification diets (particularly for the liver and gall bladder) and for new perspectives, ideas, plans and goals.  Like the newborn lambs and kids taking their first wobbly steps and suckling mother’s milk for strength and nurturance, we give life and light to our own visions and wisdom, and take the first brave steps toward manifesting them into reality.  We sweep away the cobwebs from the corners of our rooms and minds and clear space for the newness that is blossoming within.

Life In The Belly

The word ‘Imbolc’ is pronounced IM-oke, or IM-ulg, and has two common translations.  One is “in the belly” and refers to the belly of the Mother [Earth] where the seeds are stirring with growth.  This translation can be seen to mean “in the womb,” as it also speaks of lambs, kids and calves that are also “in the belly.”  The second translation  is “ewe’s milk.”  These translations point to the traditional honoring of mothers and healers, and all those who nurture us.

I don’t remember where this chant came from, but I find it to be lovely and completely within the spirit of the emerging Spring.  I like to go from room to room in my house, lighting a candle in each room as I go, saying:

I open

Gently open

To the divine inside me

I open

Gently open

To the sacred light

I wish you strength and warmth in the returning light of the sun.  May you have a happy and blessed IMBOLC!