IMBOLC RESOURCES
Imbolc
Imbolc means ‘In the belly of the Yew’ and is the first fire festival of the year celebrated traditionally on the 1st of February. It marks the halfway point between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. A time where the first signs of Spring are appearing but the icy embrace of winter is still thick on the land. It’s a time where seeds are swelling and germinating underground where the days are still long, and many creatures are still hibernating.
Time of Year - 1st February, Midwinter
Time of Day - Before Dawn
Human life cycle - Death / Conception
Plant Life - Seed soaking / swelling
Attributes of Connection - Creativity / Quiet Mind
You can do the practices here individually or by themselves at anytime of the year when you’re looking to connect with the above energies. However we recommend doing them in the six weeks after Imbolc and before the Spring Equinox.
These resources are designed so that they build on one another towards a ritual but are also stand alone if you want to find your own flow with them.
Nature Connection
This is a short nature connection video which gives insight into the 8 shields map with a nature connection invitation that you can do at home.
Embodiment Practice - Yoga
Our bodies contain so much information and when we attune ourselves to what our body is trying to tell us then we are using the intelligence of embodiment. This practice guided by Anna Ling is a beautiful way to awaken your bodies capacity for movement and awareness.
Playlist and Altar Suggestions.
Creating an Altar in your home is a great way to tune into the energy of this time of year and what it is you are marking, honouring or bringing attention to in your ritual. It can support you creating an intentional space to step into. We recommend putting on this playlist, clearing your space, gathering up some items and enjoy creating your altar.
Nature - Snowdrops
Herbs - Rosemary
Incense - Frankincense
Food - Milk |
Symbols - Brigid's Cross, Seeds
Things that can also be good to include on your altar is something that resembles the five different elements earth, air, fire, water and spirit.
Meditation
Our ability to be present with ourselves is important to becoming alive to our true nature. This meditation guided by Gaia Harvey Jackson supports you sinking into the self and letting whats alive and true emerge for you.
Journaling Prompts
Once you’ve done the above meditation, grab a pen and your journal and sink deeper into the intention of this time of year and what you want to bring awareness to.
What are you feeling grateful for from these past six weeks?
What has been challenging over the past six weeks
Where is mystery, soul, spirit showing up in your life?
What seeds are currently being incubated and germinating?
What ways are you ready or not ready for Spring?
Think about:
How can you create sacred space around you?
Whats the beginning, middle and end of the ritual?
What intention might you carry for the ritual?
How can you include the presence of the elements?
Ritual
Ritual is a container that allows us to enter into a heightened state of awareness. We offer a rough guideline of a ritual you can follow below but we encourage you to adapt and make it your own.
Preparation
You might want to do some of the nature connection practices above or follow the embodied yoga session to transition from whatever you were doing before.
A great way to prepare for a ritual is to take a bath or use the element of water to cleanse yourself in some way.
What You’ll Need
Your Altar, Candle, Seeds (These can be pulses, beans or seeds you want to sow), a bowl, some soil.
The Steps
Listen to the meditation above
Follow the journaling prompts
Turn off all artificial lighting and light a candle on your altar.
Hold the seeds in your hand
Feel into what has been mysterious in your dreamtime.
Notice the emotions that arise as you recall your dream.
Hold the seeds close to your mouth and whisper the dream to them, telling them every detail from the perspective that you are experiencing the dream in the present.
Place them in the bowl
Place your hands lightly over the seeds and listen quietly until three words come to you that carry the essence of your dream. Say them out loud three times.
Then cover over the seeds with the soil as you say out loud ‘I offer my dreams to the mystery’
Blow out your candle when you feel called
If you can plant your seeds in the soil outside at some point in the next week if they are seeds that can be grown.
Integration
Notice what thoughts, feelings, images and dreams come to you in the days after this ritual. You could share the three words that came to you in the members telegram and a bit about your experience. You can also check the members homepage for further resources to support you.