I’ve written before around preparing for Imbolc. I mean, I generally write a few times a year on the topic. But this year, I want to discuss ascending to Imbolc. Because, I want to change the focus a little bit.
I want to talk about coming up out of winter and into Spring.
Out of darkness, into the light.
Away from dreams and into action.
Do you get the feeling I’m projecting? The energy of the earth is starting to wake up again. The plants have already started growing again here in Ireland. No, seriously.
Ascending to Imbolc
But what do I mean by ascending to Imbolc?
Just that, really. The movement from dreaming to doing. The change in energy of the earth. Part of the year when we start thinking about “new year, new you” rubbish.
It won’t be long before we’ll be proclaiming the “grand stretch in the evenings”.
And, yes, I know, half of ye, at least, are still in a stupor of Christmas turkey and ham, boxes of sweets, mince pies, etc. But that’s half the reason that Imbolc feels like an ascent rather than a descent.
The energy is low at this time of the year. We’ve just passed midwinter, the Solstice, when the sun is at its weakest (in the Northern Hemisphere – of you’re in Australia, New Zealand, Oceania, etc – come back to this post round the end of June, ok?)
But now?
We’re moving upward. Out of the winter blankies. Out of the earth. Into the sun. Ascending to Imbolc.
Practically speaking?
Well, it’s the perfect time to start thinking about developing that daily spiritual relationship with Brigid. Or thinking about developing your own spiritual path. But aside from that.
Ascending to Imbolc can mean putting in the last preparations for the festival. Cleaning the house, clearing out the energy after being stuck in winter. Shaking out the cobwebs – figuratively and literally. Read something challenging – either because of literacy level or challenging ideas.
Start gathering what supplies you need, or planning when your ritual will take place. Or start planning to do nothing at all, and how does that look?
Look for the signs – things like those snowdrops. Or the grass growing. Maybe buds on trees, or even leaves.
Recognise the world around you is ascending as well. The development and growth during winter is usually underground – seeds and plants hibernating in a way. And we do it as well. Get through to the end of the year.
But now? Now it’s clear decision time. Where is your energy going to go come spring? When we ascend into Imbolc, when we climb the metaphorical ladder to return to the light, what are we returning to?
The world as it was?
Or are we choosing to change?
Maybe it’s too early yet
Maybe it’s a bit early yet to plan out the year all in one go.
But if you have the chance – make some decisions now. Write them down. Get organised to put them into place.
Then once we’ve ascended into Imbolc – it’s all go, no holds barred, let’s do this thing!!
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