As the seeds in the ground begin their new life cycle, we can begin ours. February and Imbolc bring the energy of conception. Imbolc is a celebration of light and the first spark of spring and is the first of three Spring festivals on the Wheel of the Year; it is a whisper of warmer weather and an ember of hope in the darkness of winter. Allow yourself to fall in love with creativity, in love with life, and in love with the energy of the earth flowing beneath your feet. The wheel shifts, allowing us to shed the doubts we have harvested the past year so we can step fully into our power now. This is a time of nature awakening in the Celtic seasonal calendar, near the halfway point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. It’s time to let go of the past and embrace the present, making space for new beginnings in your life. Breathe deeply to feel the freshness of February. Feel your mind and body emerge from winter’s hibernation. Feel nature awakening and the cleanse that Imbolc brings for body, mind, and soul. Join us to celebrate Imbolc with a reflective walk, pausing for signs of new life stirring in nature.
What You Can Expect
A deeper connection with nature through a slow walk pausing amongst the quiet, dormant trees. Enjoy the stunning beauty of the land, the light of the sun, and the crisp winter air. Gift yourself this time to slow down, de-stress and experience a new level of nature mindfulness through a series of sensory connection invitations to practice Forest Bathing.
Time for reflective journaling to deepen your attention and intention, tuning in with your surroundings. Sit with this beautiful energy to find a sense of clarity and restored direction. Journal Prompt: What fresh goals would you like to set as we move toward spring? Choose three things - one for yourself, one for your community or family, and one for the Earth. If you do not have a journal practice, tune in with the energy of the land and season—this could mean writing a few words describing the season or sketching a spring flower or mushroom.
Together, we will create a Land Art Valentine for Mother Nature using nature’s gifts found on our walk and set an intention to open ourselves up to nature’s greater presence in our life.
We will conclude our time together with the lighting of a bonfire, meditating gently on the pure flame, and feeling your own inner fire – the flame of your Spirit that burns brightly within you. There will be time to write down the ideas and intentions that come to you and give thanks in the knowledge that you will have the power and energy to manifest these intentions in beauty. We will share a traditional Imbolc Lavender & Rosemary Seed Cake and an Imbolc herbal tea blend around the fire.
BRIGID, CELTIC GODDESS OF CRAFTS, LEARNING AND FERTILITY
Imbolc has ancient Celtic roots and is closely associated with the Celtic goddess Brigid. Brigid was one of the most beloved Pagan goddesses of pre-Christian Ireland, so much so that when Ireland was forced to convert, she became a saint who is still very popular today. She is associated with healing, wisdom, and animals and is often connected with sacred flames and healing wells. She is also thought to be a representation of the triple goddess, the pagan concept of a single goddess who represents the maiden, the mother, and the crone – three facets of the divine feminine.
The goddess Brigid was also revered as the Irish goddess of poetry and song. Known for her hospitality to poets, musicians, and scholars, she is known as the Irish muse of poetry.
Born at the exact moment of daybreak, Brigid rose into the sky with the sun, rays of fire beaming from her head. She was the daughter of Dagda, the great ‘father-god’ of Ireland.
In Druid mythology, the infant goddess was fed milk from a sacred cow from the Otherworld. Brigid owned an apple orchard in the Otherworld, and her bees would bring their magical nectar back to earth.
It is said that wherever she walked, small flowers and shamrocks would appear. As a sun goddess, her gifts are light (knowledge), inspiration, and the vital and healing energy of the sun.
