|
CYCLES OF THE EARTHNEW YEAR & IMBOLC
The transition of the New Year, marked by the illumination of fireworks and candles, is a brief moment in the depths of winter in which we may acknowledge the passing of the old year and welcome in new life and future possibilities for the year ahead. Once the vision passes we return to introspective hibernation, for in the midst of wintry cold dank days and long dark nights this a time to rest, focus within and stay close to home in heart and hearth. It is not until the first green shoots of the early snowdrops emerge from the snow covered and hard frosted ground in the first week of February that there is any sense of life beginning to stir. Now we can properly turn our thoughts to the year ahead as our energy rises and we begin to unfold from the dark snug and slough off the heavy mantle of the previous year to emerge fresh and renewed. This is the time of the Celtic festival of Imbolc, sacred to the Maiden aspect of the Goddess, which honours the earth in her renewal and welcomes her re-emergence in early spring. As the pale sunshine strengthens and the thaw continues the flow of the waters in rivers and streams increases expressing a physical corollary of this new cleansing tide. This is the time of spring cleaning when one cleans the dust and dirt of the past year out of one’s house, which traditionally literally meant clearing out the old strewn herbs and straw. But this is also a time of washing away the old, outworn and empty elements of our inner life which are part of the past and thereby release space for new experiences, projects and plans that you would like to bring to life in the new year ahead.
|
