Celebrating Imbolc

Awakening Energy Between Winter and Spring

Imbolc represents the midpoint between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox and the stirring and awakening of the energy from the Yin deep cycles of Winter and Autumn. Imbolc translates as “in the belly”, the time when the ewes were newly pregnant with the Spring lambs, the strengthening sun summoned the soil, while the dark hag, the Cailleach, was shapeshifting into Brigid the Maiden

Fertility. Renewal. Light. Potential Awakening

Imbolc: The Midpoint of Winter and Spring

Here between the Winter and Spring cycles, we take these three days of Imbolc to honour the spaces in between endings and beginnings. Through the seasonal lens, we honour this awakening moment as a beautiful and necessary space where all possibilities exist, and nothing has yet been chosen.

Completion. Emptying. Waiting.

All around us the sap is stirring and preparing to rise while the forest erupts in the gold of wattle, reed flowers and cuttlefish-strewn beaches. The Yang energies, rested and reinvigorated by Winters rest are preparing for the upcoming cycles of growth and transformation.

The Energy of Imbolc: Fertility, Renewal, and Potential

Nature is the product of the yin-yang action and the result of the large yin-yang changes of the earth. The arrival of spring is the result of the development of yin in nature to its extreme point, enough for it to produce (or become) yang. The process from spring to summer is the process of Yang growing and Yin disappearing, and the process from summer to autumn is the process of Yang disappearing and Yin growing, and then in winter energy returns to Yin.

The Cross-Quarter Days and Yin-Yang Cycles

The summer and winter solstice are the two turning points in the transformation of yin-yang in its natural cycle. Imbolc, Beltaine, Samhain and Lammas are the cross-quarter days that hold the energy of shift where Yang first begins rising or Yin begins to fall in varying their degrees. At the time of Imbolc, we initiate the light, the new beginnings and the birth of new ideas as all things are stirring, pulled by the warmth of the sun as it grows in strength overhead.

Honouring Imbolc with the Three Fires

The three fires of Imbolc are lit over this period, Brigit is honoured and we feast.

The Fire of the Hearth - Our home, hospitality and family
The Fire of the Forge - Our creativity, industry and contribution
The Fire of the Heart - Out love, healing and inspiration

Together may we release the last 12 months with love and gratitude, fearlessly seed what we are being called to next, and take the grounded action needed as we cross this threshold of the light.