We are so sorry our Blog space to celebrate the arrival of Imbolg, has been delayed by server and platform problems. Nevertheless, we celebrate here a little late the unnoticed beauty and energy emerging all around us.
Febuary 1st, Brigid's day, an Ancient marker for this new season comes full of possibilities to place energy at our feet for a whole new year.
Imbolg asks us to notice the footing we have had in Samhain, yes, our winter. It was not always all about, grey, dark, cold and 'not summer' complaints around winter. Let's get past it! Samhain retained an ancient awareness of winter's latency, its store of energy and its anticipation of spring. The reaching forward to new possibilities, new beginnings, the energy for small new starts when required, had its standing place on the edge of Samhain. The latency of Samhain becomes a provider for the glow of fresh awakenings in Imbolg.
People who know a thing or two about trees tell us that as we look in the dead of winter at trees, they seem empty, dark, leafless, stark. But underneath within the roots system, there is the loudest party of new life, new activity, communication and celebration. Nature and the 'knowing' of the trees anticipate new beginnings for themselves, soon. They are 'getting spruced up', getting their 'glad rags' on.
Imbolg asks us to recognize that our world in its natural beauty, in its shape, sound and presence holds for us shelter, luminal places, thresholds of presence and insight, places to experience warmth, goodness and grace.
However, the standing, looking and asking is up to us. The gentle art of becoming a listener is all we need to hear, experience and enter.
Grooming in the Park. 20x16 OR 10x8Pictorial/Local interest/Editorial/Social
Ancient and wise voices recognized that there is friendship in creation for the journey of our souls. Creation assists our ability to live, love, to flourish. Yet again we see that in the process of seeking to reach toward 'the other', our gaze is lifted beyond ourselves, placing us in our meaning, rooting us and paradoxically meeting our own needs.
Imbolg marks Brigid's day. The symbol of a Brigid's Cross still holds strong meaning and indeed, presence. The fire of Brigid's own presence in the world, her poetry in destiny and voice has long been celebrated as a call to grow where you're planted. The story of her persistent holding, loving and serving the oppressed and impoverished, along with her prophetic sense to speak truth to power has served to model a life full of meaning while gazing on the other, be that God in spirit, or need in the frame of a friend or stranger in front of you. We don't realize sometimes that her name is among many others who, out of their experience of divine love, presence, and voice, became risk takers, rebels, and vanquishers on behalf of others around them. Brigid marks the call, as it were, to our own poetry and gifting in the world, for the world.
Early Christian site at Killeshin. 20x16 OR 10x8keithdowlingphotography
So maybe there's a little symbolic burning to do, but remember Imbolg is a footing that gently offers new beginnings without regret as we slowly turn our gaze from the old toward the new. Remember too, in the Celtic sense, to be filled with compassion and tenderness toward the face in the mirror, then share that a little :)
Keith at Teach Bhride Ancient Spaces 2019