Imbolc

 

At winter solstice we witnessed the birth of the new sun, and began our next journey through the wheel of the year.  It’s now at Imbolc that we see the first signs of natures burgeoning and spring to come. Imbolc is said to translate as in the belly, apt with it being the beginning of lambing, and a much broader reference to the boundless fertility of the natural world at this time. The seeds dispersed last autumn have waited patiently, nurtured by the Earth in preparation for this moment, beneath the litter of last years' glory, the green shoots of this year are beginning to stir.  Imbolc blessings /|\

Imbolc

 

Sundown saw the arrival of the festival of Imbolc, the festival of retuning light, the first festival of spring. Springs' floral herald the Snowdrops have been bursting forth for a week or so. As winter enters its' final trimester the first hints of spring are becoming apparent, nature's on the move. Above, though still young, the sun is developing tangible warmth. If you haven't already, it's time to prepare. Remember. The wheel turns fast. We're at a point of potential and possibility, and we wont reap the harvest if we don't plant the seed. Blessings at this time of new beginnings. /|\

Imbolc

 

Imbolc is here, enjoy the first feast of spring and the excitement it brings. With the first signs of life renewed, our hearts with light and love imbued. Said to mean 'in the belly', a reference to the pregnancy of ewes, Imbolc more broadly represents the imminent burgeoning of spring. Blessings at this time of new beginnings y'all.  

Imbolc

 

Right on cue the new shoots of spring break on through.

Imbloc blessing y'all /|\ 

Stirring

 

Although even the most cursory glance outside will tell you (if you weren't already aware) that winter's grip is far from loosening, the landscape slowly wakes as Imbolc approaches; in the belly of the land the future stirs as above the first heralds of spring break through.

Imbolc

Is it me or has the wheel begun to turn faster? It certainly seems so. Ramsons flowering now!, the leaves regularly begin appearing in January or February, though the flowers don't usually appear until early May. In nature strangeness abounds as a see-saw climate plays trickster. Anyway. The days are getting longer and our new sun born at winter solstice grows in strength; the earth's warming, the first green shoots of spring are emerging and the birds sing of new beginnings. A time to prepare, it wont be too long before all the sleeping seeds awake. Imbolc blessings to all.

Imbolc

The wheel delivers us once more to Imbolc and the land's awakening, out there the nascent potential of nature is tangible in her swelling buds, green shoots and early blooms. This time last year we couldn't have known that Covid would see our seeds for a year's hopes and dreams fall on salted ground, never even to sprout. It's been a hell of a 12 months. This year my hope is just one simple word...better. Better for everyone. Imbolc blessings y'all /|\

Imbolc song in Bratley Wood

The high crowns of the ancient and veteran oak and beech of Bratley Wood were alive with song this morning, as the assembled birds celebrated Imbolc, and heralded Spring's approach...they feel the subtlety of the seasons more keenly than we do. As the young sun grows and the soil warms, out in the forest the seeds and embryonic buds of potential begin to swell, closer to home, our hopes and dreams for this turn of the wheel are awakening. Imbloc blessing y'all. /|\

(I neglected to focus the camera, so the picture's not all that, but it's really for the bird song I posted.)

Burley Old clearing

Last month I posted about an enclosed cleared area I'd come across in Burley Old Enclosure, and I'd speculated as to its purpose.  One proposition I put forward was it might have been ritual and in some way associated with other man made (or enhanced) features that felt congruous to each other. I visit the clearing today, and what I discovered certainly lends some credence to that hypothesis. There's a fallen tree that truncates part of the cleared area, on it had been placed a natural wooden plate, on which were the remains of an offering of seeds. Quite significant, as a couple of weeks ago it was Imbolc marking the beginning of Spring, seeds are often used in Imbolc rituals or as seasonal offerings. It's certainly a great woodland setting for a ritual. I wonder if there'll be any activity at the equinox? We'll see.

Imbolc

Though winter still holds us in her grip,
through her fingers we'll eventually slip.
Look carefully out of the corner of your eye,
that's the shoots of spring and hope you'll spy.

Imbolc blessings y'all.

Imbolc

The wheel turns and now with Imbolc upon us the promise of new life is manifest in the shoots of spring just poking their heads through last autumns fall. This is just the beginning. It wont be long before these Ramson shoots cover the woodland floor, and then fill the stands with their garlic scent. This is a time of preparation and readying. A time spiritually and emotionally to clear the decks of those unwanted and unhelpful things in our life; the negative attitudes, the doubts and self constructed barriers to fulfilling our dreams, or at least striving for them.  A time to clear the home of clutter, easier said than done for a hoarder like myself, who as is the way of hoarders, really believes that I'll find a use for the draws, boxes and jars of things I know I should have thrown away. Tidy house, tidy mind, yeah right. And in our garden and/or allotment, a time for clearing the ground ready to receive the seeds of future harvests. It's a lovely time of year, a time of unbound potential and possibility. A blessed Imbolc to y'all, enjoy.

Imbolc

The wheel turns and with it the season changes, you can feel it. Nature is waking from her sleep and the energy to transform is slowly forming. Imbolc blessings y'all.

Imbolc

Imbolc

The wheel of the year is invisibly turning.

Deep in the Earth there stirs a yearning.
And though Winter still holds us in its sway.

We know that warmer days are on their way.

Our youthful Sun now warms the land.

And times of change are close at hand.
'In the belly' is Imbolcs' Celtic meaning.
And below the surface lives just beginning.
Roots and seeds go searching forth.

Eager to embrace the soils growing warmth.

Soon the white Blackthorn blossom will show.

Throughout our roams new life will grow.
And, in the gardens of our mind.

Tilled soil from dreams and plans we'll find.

For new beginnings we'll raise a cheer.

The promise of spring is nearly here.

Imbolc blessings y'all.