LIGHT, SPARKS AND WAKING UP
Imagine the world before our time. A world without electricity, without central heating. A world where darkness is pitch-black and the sun is the source of life and light. The seasons were much more tangible then, and you had to adjust to them in order to survive. Circumstances that most of us have never experienced, and still… as we learn to listen to our souls, our intuition and our bodies, it is still there, carved into our memory. So be still, be present, and see.
In the midst of Winter, between the Solstice and Ostara, we celebrate the Sabbat of Imbolc. And while the use of calendars fixed the date for it on 1st February, this year it actually aligns with the Full Moon which lights up the night. Celtic Goddess Brigid is said to rise up from the underworld after the long Winter and to bring sparks of fire to hearths and hearts. Something begins to stir, to wake up. The seeds that slept under the ice and snow are starting to sprout in nature and accordingly, in us.
Imbolc and the year of the Fire Horse
Imbolc is not a loud celebration. It is the quiet welcoming of the light, new ideas and inspiration. It is about dusting and cleaning and making space for new energy. It is about gently daring to step out and breathing the fresh air and clearing our heads. Could this idea that faintly spoke to you during the darkness turn out to be inspiration for the year ahead? Could this new thing you started to try out for the new year become a habit? Should you shine some light on the doubts that came up about something?
In Chinese astrology, we will be entering the year of the Fire Horse a little more than 2 weeks after Imbolc. The Fire Horse signifies potent and blazing energy. As the year picks up, the Fire Horse energy has the potential to turn our dreamy and faint Imbolc ideas into a storm. Therefore it is important to take it easy right now and to carefully feel what it is that we want to grow this year.
Hope and trust
Imbolc is an invitation to be hopeful and courageous, dreamy and warm-hearted. We are asked to trust our intuition and our power to grow. Look for sparks at this time of the year – friendly words, a smile, ideas. We have the power to set our world on fire – make it a blaze of love! Be the spark that ignites something pure and good. Be the source of light that makes yourself think: I am OK.
Blessed Imbolc!
“Here comes the sun, here comes the sun, and I say: It’s all right!” (The Beatles)
Kerstin Wolff