Imbolc, or Candlemas, is the day of the goddess Brigid. I don’t work with deities in my practice, but that doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate the influences they stand for. Brigid is the goddess of the hearth, associated with fertility, light, and a returning of life after a season of harsh and bitter cold. I’m keeping these things in mind as I celebrate today, looking for ways to invite their fire into my life after a long period of feeling frozen in place.
(Imbolc is also a popular day to eat dairy products. Like I NEEDED an excuse to eat cheese.)
This winter has been anything but a time of hibernation for me. Between the holidays in December and frantically preparing for an out-of-state move throughout January, I’ve felt less like a slumbering bear and more like a panicked jackrabbit. Imbolc, though, is my time to slow down, to evaluate, to plan. What from this winter do I not want to carry over into spring? What thought patterns, what clutter, what habits do I want to see melt away with the winter snow?
Today, I’m taking some time to journal about this. I’ve taken the day off work to finally get the rest that has eluded me all month. I’ve rid my closet of clothes I don’t wear and packed up boxes of books to donate. I’ve recycled old notebooks full of worn ideas and scrubbed every trace of makeup from the bathroom counter. All of this had to be done since I’m moving this month, but it feels special to do it today – to look towards my future in a new home and a new state as we also look towards the coming spring. Tonight, I’m lighting white candles and watching the sun set out my living room window, knowing I’ll soon have a different view.
This is a great day for rituals of manifestation and abundance, as we hasten towards spring and the new life it brings with it. It’s also a great day for turning inward, as are all Sabbats; a time to evaluate where you are and where you want to be by the time we’re celebrating Ostara in March.
It’s a great day to indulge in hope after these dark, dark weeks, no matter how slight – a hope that the world really is in our hands, that we have the power to make a change. Winter brought with it a chill that many of us had thought we could avoid, but now that it’s here it’s up to us to do our part to heal this hurting planet. Be kind to the Earth and to each other. Speak up in the face of injustice. Let hate know it is not welcome here.
Light a candle, say a prayer, make a donation, sound your voice. Spring is on its way.
This sounds like such a lovely restful Imbolc! It’s the perfect time for spring cleaning and journaling. Some cozy weather and tea (and cheese. :D)
I wound up with the surprise opportunity to soak in our local hot springs last night under the moon and stars which was so much more meditative and ritualistic than I could have pulled off just sitting at my altar.
UM, that sounds amazing! We definitely don’t have any hot springs around here or else I’d be all over that. What a magical evening it must have been! <3 I'm glad you had the chance to relax and soak under the stars!!
It was amaaazing. I work in a resort town so the hot springs are right across from my office but they’re usually only open to hotel guests. But a friend was actually staying in town so we got to go soak! And Venus was wildly bright and the moon was all crescenty. Happy sigh.
Seriously, though, your spring cleaning sounds pretty fabulous too haha.
I jumped the gun and was itching to do all this type of work on Monday evening. It feels good to hit the reset button and get clear about where I’m going this year.
Most of that energy yesterday went into my own website. I created some business cards, finally, then took the plunge and decided I would register for a conference I’ve been contemplating. 🙂
I also LOVE the ritual you shared in your email!
Thank you so much, Miranda! I’m glad you liked it 😀 WOO, congrats on the conference! That’s sure to be an amazing experience! It’s my goal to go to one this year, too, so I hope I can swing it <3 Be sure to do a blog post all about yours so we'll know what it's like!
I’m totally gonna do your Winter Self-Care Shower Routine! I think I’m going to make a vanilla almond oatmeal scrub. 🙂
That sounds heavenly! <3 I really want to experiment more with DIY bath products this year. I think an oatmeal lavender bath soak is next on my agenda! 😀 I hope it worked out well for you!
I don’t work with deities either but I really appreciate this time of they year and the fresh energy that it brings. it is much needed and it looks like you are taking advantage of it big time! I wish you all the luck with your move, I hope it’s gonna be exactly what you needed! I am also hoping to move this spring and while I haven’t had any luck yet and I still feel stuck in this winter hibernation I am very optimistic 🙂
Hi Nellie! Thank you so much for this lovely message! <3 It's so hard to get out of hibernation mode, especially when it gets dark so early still, so I'm just trying to take advantage of the sunshine when I have some D: I can't wait for even longer days!!