Brighid - Imbolc
I have to be honest I always feel a little bemused by Imbolc and never really experience it as a time of the returning spring and stirring seed, as it is described in most literature.
Instead, this time of year for me is always the most bleak and depressing.
Winter feels that it is dragging on, my body begins to feel older than its years , what with the never ending rainfall and cold weather I always feel the struggle between life and death is at its most intense.
For me, this time of year instead, marks the final march out of the gates from the underworld, not the actual release from it, but an acknowledgement that the light is in sight.
What with the planetary aspects that have been happening recently, Grand Crosses, Venus retrograde etc { that now goes direct, thankfully }, it has been a very intense time indeed.
We have personaly had the passing of a family member in the past week and this Imbolc feels heavier than ever.
I moved to Nice in France to try to avoid as much of this as possible, hoping the sunnier weather would help elevate our spirits through this time of year but instead nature has forced her hand and death has literally come to our doorstep.
Instead, this time of year for me is always the most bleak and depressing.
Winter feels that it is dragging on, my body begins to feel older than its years , what with the never ending rainfall and cold weather I always feel the struggle between life and death is at its most intense.
For me, this time of year instead, marks the final march out of the gates from the underworld, not the actual release from it, but an acknowledgement that the light is in sight.
What with the planetary aspects that have been happening recently, Grand Crosses, Venus retrograde etc { that now goes direct, thankfully }, it has been a very intense time indeed.
We have personaly had the passing of a family member in the past week and this Imbolc feels heavier than ever.
I moved to Nice in France to try to avoid as much of this as possible, hoping the sunnier weather would help elevate our spirits through this time of year but instead nature has forced her hand and death has literally come to our doorstep.
So what of this New Moon today and Imbolc on Feb 1st, how to work with and summon life force back into hearth and home.
Brighid is associated with fire, with the spark of life, inspiration, healing and poetry.
So on the night of the 1st of Feb I will lay a red cloth as her alter, I will offer her milk, bread and flowers, I will cleanse the floors of my house with a rosemary floor wash. I will beat my drum in time with life’s heartbeat, I will sing and gentle sway to the call of Her name.
Then I will summon the flame and call on the light to enter my home and the world once again. I will light a bundle of burning herbs, that have been soaking in Florida water. I will pass this Holy flame over my body then clockwise I will walk around my house and chant the spark of fire, the young god of flame into cleanse and purify my humble home, taking any illness or negativity into its heat and transforming it into life force and power, that will light the way through the remains of winter. Asking for my family, illumination and power as we walk onwards towards the coming spring.
As the flames die I will smudge myself in the smoking herbs and allow their essence to cleanse my home.
Brighid is associated with fire, with the spark of life, inspiration, healing and poetry.
So on the night of the 1st of Feb I will lay a red cloth as her alter, I will offer her milk, bread and flowers, I will cleanse the floors of my house with a rosemary floor wash. I will beat my drum in time with life’s heartbeat, I will sing and gentle sway to the call of Her name.
Then I will summon the flame and call on the light to enter my home and the world once again. I will light a bundle of burning herbs, that have been soaking in Florida water. I will pass this Holy flame over my body then clockwise I will walk around my house and chant the spark of fire, the young god of flame into cleanse and purify my humble home, taking any illness or negativity into its heat and transforming it into life force and power, that will light the way through the remains of winter. Asking for my family, illumination and power as we walk onwards towards the coming spring.
As the flames die I will smudge myself in the smoking herbs and allow their essence to cleanse my home.
As I have said before there are some very intense planetary aspects occurring, to many to mention, and I know of many people who are also going through a challenging time..
Whatever occurs it is life’s winter that strips away the waste of the living, it is natural and however hard these situations may be, I believe all is the will of nature.
The best we can do, is to accept and surrender to life’s circumstance, then with every last bit of remaining power summon back life’s light and call upon Brighids name, allowing a spark from the warrioresses mantle to re-ignite lifes flame and passion.
Then re-emerge renewed and wiser from a hard winter and celebrate life’s gifts more than ever with those we love , cherish and are close and dear to us.
Whatever occurs it is life’s winter that strips away the waste of the living, it is natural and however hard these situations may be, I believe all is the will of nature.
The best we can do, is to accept and surrender to life’s circumstance, then with every last bit of remaining power summon back life’s light and call upon Brighids name, allowing a spark from the warrioresses mantle to re-ignite lifes flame and passion.
Then re-emerge renewed and wiser from a hard winter and celebrate life’s gifts more than ever with those we love , cherish and are close and dear to us.
May Brighid bless you this Imbolc and may life’s flame fill you with poetic passion and wonder. Sparking new life into your intentions wishes and dreams for the coming year.
Bless
Bless