Imbolc
(Yes, I posted this last year, but it saves me having to go waaaay back to last February)... :)
Celebrated on February 1 or 2, Imbolc or Brigid's Day marks midwinter. Animals begin to come out of hibernation and ewes begin lactating; light is returning. This is a time to acknowledge our individual gifts and feed our talents with supportive action. Imbolc is connected to the powerful new life awakening in the depths of the earth and thus also represents the rebirth and upsurge of personal power. Now we can plant seeds of inspiration, acknoledge the returning light, invoke patience, find virtue in perserverance, and inspire others. Symbols of the holiday are: seeds, wells, and fire.
Herbs and other plants for this sabbat include angelica, basil, bay, cinnamon, frankincense, myrrh, nettle, orris root, rosemary, rowan, and saffron.
If you're open to trying a Wiccan approach to welcoming in the dawning of spring and its warming light (especially welcome in the midst of all these crazy storms we are having), Jamie Wood, who wrote 'The Wiccan Herbal' that I often quote from, also suggests a nice little 'spell' (though it's not really a spell in the traditional sense, keep reading, you'll see!)... You need three things to do this - a yellow candle, a blue candle, and some basil oil, which you can either buy at a specialty shop, or make yourself by sealing fresh basil leaves in olive oil in an air-tight jar for at least 6 weeks before using. :)
As Jamie says, 'this spell is intended to remind you of the peace and importance of relaxation during the dark times, especially if a wicked case of the winter blues hits.'.. Perfect. :)
Now, prepare your candles - carve the word 'light' into the yellow one, and the word 'peace' into the blue one, then anoint them both with the oil. As you light the yellow candle, picture the first rays of sunlight filtering back into your life - imagine how the warm sunshine feels on your skin. Know that the same light already burns inside of you. Now light the blue candle and breathe 'deeply of peace and tranquility'. Say to yourself the word 'Serenity' three times, imagining what peace looks like in your life. Know that the calm of peace resides within you. :) I like this one.
I felt a similar sense of peace (somewhat begrudgingly, but it was there) this morning while standing in the cold at the bus stop. The bus hadn't shown up again (it seems to be rather unreliable at 7:30) and as I shivered and scowled, I caught sight of the trees across the street, ablaze with golden light. As I really looked at them, I could see the sunlight illuminating every branch, every shimmery piece of bark, every pinecone, and I thought 'warmth is coming'... Yay! Bring it on Mother Nature, I'm so ready... ;)
S
(Yes, I posted this last year, but it saves me having to go waaaay back to last February)... :)
Celebrated on February 1 or 2, Imbolc or Brigid's Day marks midwinter. Animals begin to come out of hibernation and ewes begin lactating; light is returning. This is a time to acknowledge our individual gifts and feed our talents with supportive action. Imbolc is connected to the powerful new life awakening in the depths of the earth and thus also represents the rebirth and upsurge of personal power. Now we can plant seeds of inspiration, acknoledge the returning light, invoke patience, find virtue in perserverance, and inspire others. Symbols of the holiday are: seeds, wells, and fire.
Herbs and other plants for this sabbat include angelica, basil, bay, cinnamon, frankincense, myrrh, nettle, orris root, rosemary, rowan, and saffron.
If you're open to trying a Wiccan approach to welcoming in the dawning of spring and its warming light (especially welcome in the midst of all these crazy storms we are having), Jamie Wood, who wrote 'The Wiccan Herbal' that I often quote from, also suggests a nice little 'spell' (though it's not really a spell in the traditional sense, keep reading, you'll see!)... You need three things to do this - a yellow candle, a blue candle, and some basil oil, which you can either buy at a specialty shop, or make yourself by sealing fresh basil leaves in olive oil in an air-tight jar for at least 6 weeks before using. :)
As Jamie says, 'this spell is intended to remind you of the peace and importance of relaxation during the dark times, especially if a wicked case of the winter blues hits.'.. Perfect. :)Now, prepare your candles - carve the word 'light' into the yellow one, and the word 'peace' into the blue one, then anoint them both with the oil. As you light the yellow candle, picture the first rays of sunlight filtering back into your life - imagine how the warm sunshine feels on your skin. Know that the same light already burns inside of you. Now light the blue candle and breathe 'deeply of peace and tranquility'. Say to yourself the word 'Serenity' three times, imagining what peace looks like in your life. Know that the calm of peace resides within you. :) I like this one.
I felt a similar sense of peace (somewhat begrudgingly, but it was there) this morning while standing in the cold at the bus stop. The bus hadn't shown up again (it seems to be rather unreliable at 7:30) and as I shivered and scowled, I caught sight of the trees across the street, ablaze with golden light. As I really looked at them, I could see the sunlight illuminating every branch, every shimmery piece of bark, every pinecone, and I thought 'warmth is coming'... Yay! Bring it on Mother Nature, I'm so ready... ;)
S
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