Imbolc

Sweetest Blessings to you.

So here we have it, I'm starting up a blog for my website, and where better to begin than Imbolc?

Imbolc was on the 1st of February and is celebrated as the slow reawakening of the land after its winter slumber within the northern hemisphere. It is at this time of year where we start to see life beginning to reemerge and it is filled with so much magic!

I just love seeing snowdrops and crocuses peeping their way through the frost, daffodil shoots pushing their way through the surface. It gets me excited for what is to come, it inspires me to think about how I envision the spring and summer, and what is needed in order to breathe it to life.

In all fairness, I actually loved the winter this time round. Usually I become sad and uninspired, quietly counting down the days until it is warm and light once more. This year I danced and revelled in it. I spent time with friends and loved ones, I took the time and space for stillness and repose. I said Yes to what felt right, and No to things I knew would be a drain on my my energy, and because of this I feel like I'm coming out of my winter cocoon fresh and ready!

An image I took on 35mm film of some Primroses in the snow last month

If you're not feeling so hot right now, that's is still ok too. It's still cold and dark out there- grey more often than it is sunny, I get it. One thing I've really enjoyed doing this week as one of my Imbolc rituals has been to organise my seeds and growing year, heck, I even sowed a few to start of indoors.

This is the first year in many that I actually have a small amount of outdoor space. My current rented home has a little patio to the side in which I hope to fill with plants and flowers for dyeing and food. I've been looking forward to this for so long! Last year I also began helping out on the community garden, so come the spring I will be able to plant out some potato tubers. It's these small wholesome acts that I filled with feelings of hope. And let's face it, in the current situation of the world, hope is very much needed!

I'd highly recommend getting out there. See what is growing. Perhaps begin an observation journal where you just note the changes throughout the year. If you have some space, plant something, sow seeds, be a part of the change.