The Spiritual Significance of Imbolc
Imbolc 2024
Finding Purpose & Inspiration in the In Between Times
“May the stirring of life underground, stir new dreams into life within you.
May the flames of inspiration and new growth be ignited within your Being.”
Imbolc, when the seeds of life are planted....
February 1st has been celebrated for time immemorial as Imbolc, it marks the peak of winter and the middle point between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. The word Imbolc means literally "in the belly" in the old Irish Neolithic language, referring to the pregnancy of ewes. This celebration represents fertility of the earth, the waking of the Goddess from her wintery sleep, and the rising of the sun on the horizon line casting more light in our days and summoning the soil into spring energy.
Historically Imbolc was the festival celebrating the Goddess Brigid, honoring the healing arts, fertility, agriculture, music, poetry, and art, as well as representing the gifts of prophecy. Today, in our western culture, it is symbolically celebrated as the return of Spring, or the continuation of winter with Groundhog Day. In Christian religions it is now recognized as Saint Brigid's Day honoring the patron Saint of babies.
In ancient Irish mythology Brigid was a fire goddess. Nowadays her canonization is celebrated with a perpetual flame at her shrine in Kildare. St. Brigid represents the Irish aspect of divine femininity in her role as patron Saint of babies. The Saint and the Goddess continue to intermingle into the present day.
Imbolc is one of the four major fire festivals that mark the spaces in between the Equinoxes and the Solstices. The other three festivals on the Celtic calendar are Beltane, Lughnasadh, and Samhain.
The Energy of New Life is Stirring
I know it might seem that we are in the midst of winter, and on the surface things seem dormant and dead, but under the ground the energy of the earth is stirring, and the life force is awakening. Wherever you may find yourself, today can be a good day of reflection and engaging with nature and the cycles of life. By acknowledging this transition we are symbolically honoring the space between the seasons.
In this way, we may honor the experiences within our own lives and timelines, the spaces in between. In the spaces of in between, there may feel an emptiness or loneliness, because what once was, is now gone, but what will be, has yet to fully manifest or arrive. Where things seem dead and dormant on the surface; they may actually be the times when underneath things are stirring and the life force of new things are awakening within us.
Power of the Spaces in Between
There’s a power that lives in the space ‘between,’ that subtle instant when something ends, and what follows next hasn’t yet begun. This is a beautiful and necessary space for growth. In the spaces in between, all possibilities exist, and none have been chosen.
The energies of the transition and changes of this past January will be amplified! Which represents another period of completion where we may lay down the old and empty ourselves for the new that is coming.
In order to make room in ourselves for the miraculous to take root, most of us need to uncover, examine and ultimately leave behind a deeply rooted fundamental insistence on a life of limitation.
I hope you are able to embrace this time of new beginnings and of change, because this is how your spirit grows and evolves, even when we feel uncomfortable or alone.
And in the beautiful, divine brilliance of nature, the growing energy of the season is supporting you in that powerful work.
May you know your worthiness at the deepest level, today and every day, and feel your connection to the greater cycles of life that we are a part of.
“Holy Spirit,
giving life to all life, moving all creatures,
root of all things,
washing them clean,
wiping out their mistakes,
healing their wounds,
you are our true life,
luminous, wonderful,
awakening the heart
from its ancient sleep.
”
Learn More About the Spiritual Significance of the Seasons
If you have questions about engaging the cycles of nature, the moon cycles and how you can harness their influence, and to learn more about earth-based practices for wellness you may be interested in the The Wisdom of the Four Directions Apprenticeship.
Wisdom of the Four Directions Apprenticeship
As our planet stands upon a precipice of enormous change and transformation, each one of us has a choice to make. How will we participate in the great turning of our times? Learn more about the cross quarter festivals, lunar influences, and powerful energy medicine techniques to harness and transform your life in the Wisdom of the Four Directions 5 month Mentorship Program.
A Guided Journey to greater Self-LOVE
Our hearts’ desires are divine impulses meant to motivate us, guide us and inspire us to become the greatest expressions of who we can be.
We are made of Love and it is said that our desires are the keys to unlock our unique destiny.
The 21 Days to Love Program is an easy to follow journey to experience greater love and greater abundance.
This program will help open you up, gently, to all that you are - love, joy, harmony, and you will experience so much more in these powerful transmissions!
Experience the profound spiritual meaning of Winter Solstice on Explore Deeply. The energy of winter is that of going within. It's the fruitful darkness and silence out of which our soul's yearnings and new inspirations can eventually emerge. Awaken your purpose with insightful reflections and transformative wisdom.