The festival of Imbolc occurs on February 2nd. This date is near to astrological 15° Aquarius: the precise cross-quarter time between the Winter Solstice and the Vernal Equinox. The etymology of Imbolc refers either to old Irish i mbolc meaning "in the belly" referring to pregnant ewes, or oimelc, refering to the ewes' resulting lactation. The festival is linked in various Indo-European cultures to fertility, ploughing fields, hearth fires, and home purification. Imbolc is the time of year when we are gifted with the promise of spring: the first green sprouts are coming up from the ground, livestock are giving birth, and the days are becoming noticeably longer.
Imbolc is a time of growing potential. It is is the freshly plowed field which could be sown with any crop. It is fresh milk feeding offspring, and ready to be turned to cheese or left to go sour. It is a time of raw fertility, a fertility waiting to be impregnated with possibilities. Imbolc is like that moment in the Two Powers meditation when Chaos and Order have merged and are waiting in a state of raw power at our cores.
As modern Pagans, we can honor the essence of Imbolc by tending our hearths, spring cleaning, preparing garden plots, and engaging in arts and crafts. This would also be a good time to consider choices we might make for the coming year, and what we wish to sow into our lives come spring.
Showing posts with label Imbolc. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Imbolc. Show all posts
Friday, February 3, 2012
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Imbolc Ritual - January 29, 2012
I attended the Sierra Madrone Grove Imbolc Ritual at 4pm on Sunday, January 29th, 2012 at the Unitarian Univarsalist Society of Sacramento with my Grove. There were several new people present for the ritual, but I knew most of them from other places in my life. We began the ritual by giving an offering to the outdwellers and processing into the ritual space.
Betula lead the ritual, Sean called upon inspiration, Lindsey performed the offerings, and I called to the Earth Mother. Our Deity of the occasion was Brighid. She was also called on as the spirit of inspiration. Brighid is a Patroness of a number of people in our Grove, so I felt her presence strongly. Manannan MacLir was called on to be our Gatekeeper. I personally called on Asclepius to help heal my friend's new premature baby so he will be healthy and fine. We also had a ceremonial lighting of candles for those of us who were voted onto the Sierra Madrone Grove Board of Directors.
Many previous Imbolc rituals we have had were accompanied by intense winds and other forms of inclement weather. It was surprising to experience such a calm, sunny day for Imbolc. We enjoyed the weather as it was, and some of us prayed for rain in spring. I have hope that the calm weather during this week is indeed an omen of stronger weather before the heat of summer arrives.
Betula read the omen, and we partook of the Waters of Life. The three Ogam drawn for the omen were ceirt/onn/idad: misfortune, movement, & vision. I see our Grove growing, and there are challenges that come along with growth. If nothing ever challenges us, we do not grow to our potential. We will grow, though; we have been blessed with movement and vision. We can see ways to meet the challenges ahead, and grow ever stronger. So yes, even misfortune can be a gift of the Kindred. It keeps us on our toes.
After ritual, we enjoyed a delicious feast. There were some exceptional sheep's milk and goat's milk cheeses and Fey wine made of milk and spices.
Betula lead the ritual, Sean called upon inspiration, Lindsey performed the offerings, and I called to the Earth Mother. Our Deity of the occasion was Brighid. She was also called on as the spirit of inspiration. Brighid is a Patroness of a number of people in our Grove, so I felt her presence strongly. Manannan MacLir was called on to be our Gatekeeper. I personally called on Asclepius to help heal my friend's new premature baby so he will be healthy and fine. We also had a ceremonial lighting of candles for those of us who were voted onto the Sierra Madrone Grove Board of Directors.
Many previous Imbolc rituals we have had were accompanied by intense winds and other forms of inclement weather. It was surprising to experience such a calm, sunny day for Imbolc. We enjoyed the weather as it was, and some of us prayed for rain in spring. I have hope that the calm weather during this week is indeed an omen of stronger weather before the heat of summer arrives.
Betula read the omen, and we partook of the Waters of Life. The three Ogam drawn for the omen were ceirt/onn/idad: misfortune, movement, & vision. I see our Grove growing, and there are challenges that come along with growth. If nothing ever challenges us, we do not grow to our potential. We will grow, though; we have been blessed with movement and vision. We can see ways to meet the challenges ahead, and grow ever stronger. So yes, even misfortune can be a gift of the Kindred. It keeps us on our toes.
After ritual, we enjoyed a delicious feast. There were some exceptional sheep's milk and goat's milk cheeses and Fey wine made of milk and spices.
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