The days are getting longer and the wheel keeps turning, even though our planet is going through many changes I feel reassured by the seasonal cycles, that all things have a pattern that make up the “bones or structure” of the year. I love Imbolc because it signifies to me that I have made it through the winter months, the days are getting longer, the seasons of planting and growing will return, and it’s time to start planning for what I wish to create and manifest during the year. I feel like the trees, my inner sap is rising into an explosion of life, and I feel that energy around me, especially in the forest.

In these modern times we have families, work, service, activities and responsibilities that often don’t mesh with the “appointed time” of an event. There are some folks out there who practise what I call “Fundamental Paganism” and insist everything has to be spot on; I do understand that if you are doing a working and desire specific energy for a precise purpose, getting all the ducks in a row is of benefit, however sabbats are “a festevus for the rest of us”. Time is a human concept we use to measure life spans, the length of days etc. I have never been less blessed for honouring a Sabbat at a time that is not exact, I don’t think the powers that be mind if it’s early or late, it is the act of taking time out of our regular lives to remember and honour the deities, energies and seasons that makes it important.

Imbolc is one of the greater sabbats it’s also known as Imbolg, Oimelc, Brigit, Brigantia, Bride’s Day, and Candlemas. For our ancestors it marked the time when ewe’s began to produce milk for their young, and has many associations with dairy products for that reason. The Goddess Brigit is associated with this day for her links to animal husbandry, healing, light and fire, and the story that she danced with candles on her head to distract the Roman soldiers from capturing baby Jesus. Some of the animals who have been hibernating begin to stir, we even have Groundhog Day on Feb 2nd, if our furry friends emerge to a cloudy day spring is here, if it’s sunny and the shadow shows winter will last another 6 weeks. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that the next Sabbat Ostara,/Spring Equinox, planting time, is six weeks down the road, do you?

The Lady and Lord are seen as young children and Valentine’s Day originally celebrated simple child like love without the adult orientation. This is also a perfect time of year to think about your unique gifts to the world and how to strengthen and nourish those talents throughout the coming year. The earth will spring to life, the land will become fertile again, the sun is getting stronger, the days longer and warmer and unlike Yule when changes are subtle, you do notice it’s not dark in the late afternoon. It’s a very hopeful time, the physical planting time has not arrived, this is a sabbat of thoughts and ideas, mapping out the direction you wish to go physically, emotionally, spiritually, and mentally.

One of the popular activities of this festival is blessing seeds, you can do a general blessing or choose a specific seed for a goal and bless it, keep the seeds on your altar until planting time. You could light candles to welcome the sun’s warmth and/or bless candles that you are designating for ritual use throughout the wheel of the year. Many people also bless and/or consecrate magical tools at this sabbat for use during the year, blessing is a general type of energy whereas consecrating means you will only use the item for a specific purpose, I discussed how to do that in my last two columns. Imbolc reminds me of promises, we often think of them in reference to other people, however it is also important to make pledges to ourselves, to recommit to our personal and spiritual growth, some folks also choose this sabbat to rededicate to a specific deity or their spiritual path.

At this time I think about the seeds resting in the earth, it won’t be too long until they germinate and begin the journey of growth that pushes up through the soil reaching towards the sun. Plants are so magical, the sun and their mojo (that we know as chlorophyll) transmutes into a form of sugar that makes them grow, by the magical process called photosynthesis. Plants are a wonderful example of alchemy at work; they celebrate their growth with flowers, when blossoms fade seeds remain with the promise and potential for the next generation.

Seeds also teach us about patience, like them, if we push too hard or too early it may defeat the natural progression of a cycle, we end up with stunted growth or something totally unexpected. Yes, you still need a healthy dose of focused thought and emotion to activate the Universal laws that is their water and fertilizer; however they need the freedom and right environment to flourish. That’s where we come in, spend a few minutes every day thinking about what you wish to create in your life this year, you might like to write it down and read it aloud when you wake and then before you sleep. That sends a clear signal to the powers that be, that you are open for business and not merely dabbling. After stating your desired outcomes remember to say thank you and connect with the feelings of how it will be to have that goal manifest. Also be open to any guidance, messages or impressions you receive while creating your year, you might like to keep a journal for this purpose. When you think about your wishes, remember to dream big, the forces of life have more stored potential than we can ever imagine. Happy seed thoughts to all!