We fill the bowl with things that represent all the things we want to grow in the coming season: seeds of root crops and salads, onions and fruits such as peppers, herbs, culinary and medicinal, beans and flowers and leafy greens; The peas represent gratitude for last year's harvest ~ there's also a pencil for writing and drawing and a sample of the lip balm I made with beeswax and honey. There is a heart shaped beach pebble for Steve and Me and a little gold heart I made for all our loved ones, and our internet friends ~ that's you!
A good blowy walk up Sancreed Beacon first, then quietly, past flocks of fieldfares down to the Holy Well.
Beautifully adorned for the celebration of new energies.
Down the seven steps into the womblike dripping darkness to light a candle and float
our thanks and dreams and blessings on the sacred waters..
Imbolc blessings to us all
Morvah, how beautiful!
ReplyDeleteTeach me, teach me... I need to research, research, research. Was this to happen on a certain day or is there still time? It's such a wonderful idea for gratitude and manifestation.
(I'm such a novice).
I love your blog. x
Thanks Alice ~ I love your comments too! Well, as far as Imbolc goes, it's one of the four Celtic Fire festivals originally marking the fixed points of the zodiac ; 15 degrees of Aquarius = Imbolc, 15 Taurus = Beltane, 15 Leo = Lughnasad and 15 Scorpio = Samhain. These are the halfway points between Solstice and Equinox and in the British Isles at least, the times when we notice a change in the seasons. I suspect the times were probably marked by stone and shadow and most likely were often a little variable. When Christianity arrived with its clever way of adapting our calendar, it kept the symbolism and times of the festivals,not least because they were of practical importance in agricultural communities. Imbolc became Candlemass and where it is still celebrated, takes place I think on the 2nd Feb. Modern Pagans seem to favour 1st Feb but in practice it's 'as and when' according to the dictates of work and weather and the Moon. I like to keep as close to the fixed points as poss but that's just me being a bit of a maverick I expect! Honestly Alice, it really doesn't matter. It's a very female festival this one, celebrating the Mother through her waters - thus Holy Wells and springs are visited. The Goddess is Brigit/Brigitta and she presides over childbirth. Her symbols are Swans, sheep and lambs and the wolf; ring any bells? I don't actually know what the pagan lot round here do but the North Cornwall people held a drumming fest at St Clether Holy Well last weekend. We just do our thing which we invented and pick our best moment. You could do it anywhere you can float candles - that's the traditional part (I found papier mache bowls float well and it's fun to make them)
ReplyDeleteIncidently, talking of variables - I noticed this morning how the times of sunrise and set vary from west to east: Todays sunrise is 7.29 in Norwich and 7.49 in Penzance while your sunset is at 16.50 and ours at 17.24! isn't that a big difference? Warmer here too I see - keep warm, lots of love to you and all your boys M xxx
Just like to mention that of course we take away all the seeds and everything, Nothing worse than coming across the messy remains of other peoples' parties (grumble)
ReplyDeleteGorgeous pictures, beautiful words, wonderful intentions.
ReplyDeleteLove this post and very much enjoyed your reply to Alice. I didn't know about the fire festivals marking the fixed points of the zodiac, you have bought a new level to my understanding of things.
I always notice and observe the solstices and equinoxes but you have really broadened my knowledge of the other marker points of the year.
Thank you lovely lady! x
Susannah! I'm so pleased to have been a help. There's no end of associations once you 'tune in'...Lovely to see you and a special whift of blessings coming your way..
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