Imbolc

By some calculations, Imbolc is February 1st and by others, it's the 2nd. I don't suppose it matters that the date is exactly right as most important is what it is about to a Pagan (one who celebrates nature's cycles)-- ewe's milk.

February 2nd is also known as St. Brighid's Day who began as the Celtic goddess of the hearth and became a Christian saint. Catholics further took it over as Candlemas. They know a good pagan festival when they see one. For those not into any religion, it's Groundhog Day which is when it's determined if it is really the end of winter...

Anyone who has read this blog for awhile knows I am more 'into' the natural, pagan celebrations than the ones we are more familiar with in our Western culture. They make more sense to me when I look out my door.

Imbolc celebrates new life and the end of winter. Yes, I know it doesn't officially end until the Equinox. It's still cold out there but nature knows it's coming; and if we are tuned to her, we can feel it also.


The egrets out at Finley were doing what looked a lot to us like a mating dance as they swirled around each other before finally separating to get busy with hunting. Photos weren't easy to get as white birds never are and then add they were in movement, but maybe you can get the rhythm of it through these shots.

The geese and ducks also appeared to be more paired up. For a month we have been hearing the owls in the trees around the farm calling for their mates. It's the time to make nests for many birds-- a time for us to refurbish our own nests.

You know when it seems particularly dreary outside, perhaps that is the time we most need a day to celebrate what is almost here-- spring and new growth. Imbolc is considered the time to celebrate poetry, healing (definitely high on my list right now of wants), and the first milk of the ewes who are about to bring forth their lambs.

Sometimes our farm has our first lambs by this day, other times they come a bit later, but the ewes, heavy with the babes inside them, are so ready for this new season in their lives, as am I.

A good way to celebrate the day is with candles, most especially a red one, while we dedicate ourselves to earth healing. Boy can it use that right now with all the upheaval happening in Egypt. Will that prove to be a new, healthy birth or end up like Iran's rebellion did?

For us in the Northern Hemisphere, light is returning; so light our candles to celebrate. We can surround the candles with symbols of spring, like plants and herbs. Some would consecrate their healing herbs at this time. Others believe in putting a white cloth or silk ribbon outside to have Brigid pass by and bless it for healing. We who write can ask blessings upon our words that we may be bringing forth in this new year, with the light from these flames, words to heal, not to harm.

New Moon is February 2 6:31 PM PST. New moons are for planting and in this case that can be our plans for the growing season-- both of plants and ourselves. So, ride the waves and make the most of a time when the energy is riding them with you.


And then, just before it came time to post this blog, the first lamb of the season was born on our farm.