Aligning with the Rhythms of the Earth: Imbolc

The Shaman Woman in me keeps a very detailed calendar to mark (and ritualize/celebrate) the seasons that represent the natural rhythms of the earth. I also record the Moon cycles in my 'Goddess Book of Moons' that keep me touch with the phases of the Moon, my female body and my *Moon Magic*. As a Virgo, Calendaring also keeps me in touch with my love of Astrology........ which I will share about in another post.
Coming from one of the most fertile valleys of our country, the Imperial Valley in California, , it is only natural that I am very sensitive to the seasons of the year. Where I grew up, our lives were oriented around the rhythms of the year.... as farmers follow the cyclic pattern of planting, tending and harvesting. It was not until my fifties that I began to get back in touch the rhythms of nature. I came to realize how important it is to align with the energy of the seasons aand the moon: it helped me to reconnect with the earth, the stars, and the universe..... and with myself. Although it seems like a simple idea, it has a profound and transformation effect.

For most people this this weekend will mark the playing of the Superbowl!...but perhaps it is just our modern way to celebrate Imbolic (or Candlemas) one of the great cross-quarter days which make up the wheel of the year. Imbolic falls midway between the winter solstice and the spring equinox and in many traditions is considered the beginning of spring.

There are many ways to talk about Imbolc. But I was completly "blown away" by a post describing Imbolc posted by Rain on Rainy day thoughts that I want to share this morning.
She "says it all" and her personal pictures are breathtaking. I hope you will visit her bog and see her work.

From Rain........
Saturday, February 02, 2008
Imbolc
Today is one of four, seasonal Celtic festivals-- Beltane, Lammas,
Samhain, and Imbolc. Typical of our culture to downgrade its
meaning, most know Imbolc better as Groundhog's Day. The
early Christian church renamed it Candelmas (representing
40 days after Jesus's birth, the purification of Mary, and the
presentation of Christ to the temple). Imbolc is also known
as the festival of waxing light-- meaning the days are growing
longer.

It's midway between Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox.
This is the season where we all look toward the branches to
see if the buds are starting to swell-- or we would if it wasn't
snowing or freezing rain outside. Some call this day Brigid's
Day for the ancient Celtic goddess of water and fire.
**(See:Owl's Wings for more on Bridid's Day)
She [Brigid] presided over smithcraft, poetry and healing--
all forms of sacred fire, inspiration. Her holy flame at Kildare
was tended by nineteen vestals.

"Later, when the worship of the Goddess was disguised as
the worship of the Saint, her priestesses were replaced by nuns."
by Starhawk 2007 and in We'Moon '08.

Basically it is a day for us to think about justice, about what
we want the growing light to bring to our world. One way
to celebrate it is with water and fire. If I was a wiccan,
which I am not, I might gather together with others who had
a desire to see justice and healing grow throughout the world,
and we would bring our water, light the fire and say words
that had meaning to us.My heritage is French Celtic,
something I discovered in the family ancestry many years
after I felt it in my heart.

I have long been drawn to Celtic music and simple rituals,
using natural elements, which add symbolic meaning to my
own intentions both for my personal life and for what I hope
to see manifested in the world. Many of the so-called pagan
ways, have more depth than what some today consider to be
religious but instead seem to be empty of any meaningful
symbols to help us focus on what we most need for ourselves
and others."One by one, in tiny increments, candle by candle,
gesture by effort, wish by prayer, concern by care, we feed
the life-fires of the soul and light the infinite universe, little
by little from within." by Donna Henes 2003 in We'Moon '08

So sometime soon, it's not so important what day (Imbolc can
officially be between January 31st to February 3rd), gather
the water of life and light the fire of intention for change
in the coming year-- meaningful change that makes our own
life and that of others on this earth better-- even though
it might be bit by bit.

Posted by Rain
**(Be sure and go to her site Rainy day thoughts
and see her wonderful personal pictures.)

I hope you have meaningful Imbolc.......and your team wins at the
Super Bowl!
And The Beat Goes On....................................