Are you sensing the subtle shifts beneath your feet? While many of us might still be navigating through the remnants of winter, the seeds of change are quietly germinatingโboth in nature and within our personal and professional lives. โจ Thatโs the magic of St. Brigid’s Day and Imbolc. โจ
๐ช๐ต๐ฎ๐ ๐ถ๐ ๐๐บ๐ฏ๐ผ๐น๐ฐ?
Imbolc is a cross-quarter day that falls between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. It was one of the four Fire Festivals in ancient traditions, bringing light and festivity to the dark winter days. The Irish term โImbolcโ means โin the belly,โ symbolizing the beginning of the lambing seasonโa crucial time for warmth and sustenance as snow melts and spring emerges.
(For more on cross-quarter days in the Wheel of the Year, check out this post.)
๐ ๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ ๐๐ฟ๐ถ๐ด๐ถ๐ฑ: The Powerful Feminine Force of Imbolc
Brigid is a multifaceted figure associated with Imbolc:
โถ๏ธ Pre-Christian Goddess: Of fire, transformation, and the forge.
โถ๏ธ St. Brigid: A revered 5th/6th-century Irish nun known for her compassion and resilience.
โถ๏ธ VooDoo/HooDoo Loa: A global symbol of love, justice, and equity.
Brigidโs influence transcends cultural boundaries, making her accessible to everyone, regardless of heritage. St. Brigidโs Day is celebrated on Feb 1, and the astronomical Imbolc, marking the exact midpoint between the solstice and equinox, occurs on Feb 3 this year. You have plenty of opportunities to connect with Brigidโs empowering energy.
๐ช๐ต๐ ๐๐ผ๐ป๐ป๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ ๐๐ถ๐๐ต ๐๐ฟ๐ถ๐ด๐ถ๐ฑ?
If Brigid calls to you, you’ll know it. If you’ve gotten this far in the post, she probably is.
- Enhance Self-Worth and Love: Foster a more generous sense of self.
- Navigate Challenges: Employ cleverness and resilience in the face of institutional sexism or racism.
- Promote Justice and Equity: Advocate for fairness in your personal and professional environments.
That last one hits home right now as vulnerable people face increasing odds; Brigidโs balanced approach to love and justice is more relevant than ever.
๐๐ผ๐ ๐๐ผ ๐๐ผ๐ป๐ป๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ ๐๐ถ๐๐ต ๐๐บ๐ฏ๐ผ๐น๐ฐ: ๐๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐๐ฒ ๐ฎ ๐๐ฟ๐ถ๐ด๐ถ๐ฑ ๐๐ฟ๐ผ๐๐
Connecting with Imbolc doesnโt require elaborate rituals. A simple and meaningful way is to create a Brigid Cross:
Gather Materials:
- Traditional: Reeds or rushes.
- Alternatives: Sturdy straw, brown paper bag strips, or pipe cleaners.
- Craft with Intention:
Create the cross, representing the sun wheel, symbolizing the emergence of seeds both in the ground and in your life. (Videos for 3 legged Brigidโs Cross/Wheel and a 4 legged Brigid’s Cross).
Infuse Your Intentions: As you weave, focus on your personal and professional goals.
Display and Bless: Place the cross on your porch or near your front door on St. Brigidโs Eve (Jan 31) or Imbolc Eve (Feb 2).
Let Brigid bless it as she passes by during the night.
The next morning, place it in your front threshold or kitchen to welcome her blessings throughout the year.
๐ Now it’s your turn: What “seeds” are you ready to plant in your life and work this Imbolc? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Imbolc #WheelOfTheYear #PersonalGrowth #ProfessionalDevelopment #SeasonalAlignment #Brigid #Mindfulness #WorkLifeBalance #NatureInspired #EquityAndJustice
PS — You might be interested to watch the workshop on Brigid that was held last week. It’s a two hour workshop where you discover all about Brigid and how she can be present in your life right now. It is a “pay what you can” workshop (suggested donation is $25, but you can attend for $0). 25% of all proceeds go to California Wildfire Relief. Grab it right here.
