Plans for Imbolc

[RavenOfSummer]

We are just days away from Imbolc! Does anyone have any plans for celebrating Imbolc this year? Any rituals or traditions you will take part in, either solo or with a group?

[AJ-ish/Sharyn]

I'm looking for a nice African Violet plant. A promise for Ostara.

I might make fortune cookies

I'm going to hunt for enough straws to make a Brigd Cross

 

The idea of  using a quick burning candle (birthday cake type)

Divide a paper into fours

name sections for areas in my life that need attention

or the four cardinal directions

and see where the wax puddle the most.

Use a file card or something a little stiffish, drop dot of hot wax and stick the candle in the center

 

Looking forward to using my Ostara deck for Beltain

[Flaxen]

Imbolc is usually one of the quieter festivals for me.

 

This year, as it's so close to the full moon, I'll light a candle in my garden, dip a ribbon in the collected rainwater and hang the ribbon on my apple tree. If I have time I may do knot magic with the ribbon - a psychic spring clean.

 

I'll also get myself a pot or bunch of spring flowers.

[Albadawn]

I'm very happy that my younger sibling is going to celebrate with me this year! I'm planning to make a drink called lambswool - it's baked apples whisked with mulled wine and apparently goes all white and frothy! I haven't tried it before so it will be interesting to see how it turns out. I'm also committing to a pescetarian diet between Imbolc and Ostara as a kind of nod to living with the seasons - food was scarce at this time of the year and this is a simple way of remembering that to myself.

[RavenOfSummer]

These are all so wonderful and inspiring! ❤️

 

Blessed Imbolc all. I just came across this poem I wanted to share:

 

IMBOLC

So the skies rumbled and the snows came, 
And everywhere down through the centuries of this gray night, 
Came women gathering to pray, 
And to sink their hands into the dark earth.

They gathered seeds and prepared them for planting,
They meditated in the icy darkness,
And they celebrated the lambing of the first ewe, 
To hasten spring.

And when through the earth they felt the stirring, 
They sang songs encouraging the tiny seeds to grow.

In the dark, wet soil you can smell their work still; 
They are digging along beside us. Listen!

The north wind carries their song across the snow, 
This Imbolc night.

As the Earth prepares for Spring, 
Wise women gather in circles to await the promise of new life,
And to sing praises for the green earth.

And so do we, here now, 
This year, and every year.

Welcome Imbolc!

 

 

[Albadawn]

That is a truly wonderful poem, Raven! Thank you so much for sharing.

 

The snowdrops are out in full force now and it's so uplifting to see that tiny bit of life in an otherwise barren landscape. Soon will follow the gold and purple crocuses, then the daffodils and pansies. I can't wait to hear a skylark sing; my mother has heard one this year but I have not been graced by one so far.

 

The one thing I miss most about living in the countryside is getting to hear and see all the little lambs. They don't usually arrive quite this early here but it's such joy when they do.

 

Blessed Imbolc everyone! What "seeds" are you intending to plant? :) For me, it's getting my head around the tax laws here so that I can hopefully launch my online tarot business after Ostara!

[Flaxen]

Thank you for sharing the poem, RavenOfSummer[/member]. Lovely words to read today.

 

I'm cheered by all the catkins on the hazel trees - almost makes me think spring is not too far away. The mornings have been getting lighter too which makes it a bit easier to get up for work!

 

Your plan sounds very exciting, Albadawn[/member]. It's a good seed to plant as it's quite practical and you can take definite steps to help it come to fruition.

 

I've been finding it hard to narrow down my 'seed' - I'd like to work on my financial abundance. I am abundant in many ways but the house needs some work and I need to attract some finances to pay for this. I'm upping my hours at work which is a practical step in the right direction.