During my preparation for this auspicious new year, I asked what I needed to do in order to uplevel my energy. I was told to get even more in tune with the Earth. This made perfect sense, as this is a 4 year (2+2, 20+20), and four is a number of structure and foundation. The Earth is our foundation.
The “how” to do this was to tune into the old celebrations around Earth’s rhythms, the honouring of the season changes and how they affect us. These were celebrations of people who lived off the land, who depended on the earth to provide for them. Life could be difficult and people were very tuned in to the changes and what they meant.
Times are little different now. We’re not so connected to the earth, although still dependent on her. Times are still difficult, just in different ways. Personally, I’ve found this year so far to be very challenging. I have been awake for hours, sleeping for hours, my body is uncomfortable. We are going through changes, and they are sometimes difficult to cope with. I’m hoping to see if connecting to the earth by following the rhythms that were identified in ancient times will help.
The first celebration that came up is Imbolc, celebrated on February 1st, half way between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox in the Northern Hemisphere. It’s been taken over by Groundhog Day here in North America.
Imbolc is a wonderful celebration marking the internal beginning of spring. It’s a time of hope and expectancy. This is the time when new life is beginning but is still dormant. The seeds deep in the earth are becoming aware, but not yet stirring. To me, this relates to our personal journey as well. At the New Moon in Aquarius we received an inspiration. It may still be deep in our being, just beginning to stir, not yet ready to be born, just like the seeds in the earth. This is the time to nurture ourselves and those seeds by taking time to be quiet, and by clearing space.
The days are becoming noticeably longer, so we celebrate the light, knowing that with each day, we come closer to the time when we will see growth, and the bounty of the earth will return. This is a time when we rest from the rigors of creation, of planting, of tending, of reaping and storing and cleaning up. It is a time to dream, to allow inspiration, to set goals. It’s a quiet time to rest and restore, so I build time for that in my schedule. It’s those quiet times when I recognize the inspiration.
I am also cleaning and clearing, making space for those seedlings to grow. That seems to be a year long project, with making space now, weeding later, pruning and culling, and making space for preserves. It’s never ending.
The goddess related to Imbolc is Brigid, goddess of the hearth (where we could be sitting enjoying a nice cup of tea, or enjoying watching the flames) and of the crossroads. This year we are being offered the opportunity to change our lives, to change our way of relating, of working, of being. That puts many of us at the crossroads, were we need to make difficult decisions. Call on Brigid to help. There are probably many invocations to her on the internet, but those of you who know me, know that I like to keep things simple, I just invite her –“Welcome Brigid, thank you for being here with me.”
I’m already feeling more grounded, with just this one celebration. I lit a candle (this is a fire month), brought out an amethyst crystal and sat in front of my alter, connecting with Brigid. I looked at what has been happening in my life and what the seeds that are beginning to percolate might bring. When I connected with her, I felt supremely nurtured and supported. When I asked what I needed to do this year I was told I need to anchor this year. We’ll see what that means.
I hope you have the opportunity to connect with Brigid and share her vibration. If you do, I would love to hear about it, if you are willing to share.
