IMBOLC – A DEEPER LOOK INTO THE STIRRING OF THE FIRE WITHIN
We all somewhat know that as we approach Imbolc, we are 6 weeks from the Spring Equinox and this is a great time to work alongside the agricultural season and start planning our goals, intentions, and seeds we wish to manifest this year, however, we can do more than simply writing these intentions in our journals or on a sheet of paper.
Anytime we truly apply ourselves more than the bare minimum effort…we are in turn showing and telling those Divine Powers of the Universe that we are meeting them halfway and that we are ready to receive, claim, and do the work to manifest things into reality. Imbolc is more than “planning & planting” seeds, it is also about what I call the “QUICKENING”. What do I mean by quickening? I mean this is a time to STIMULATE ourselves and our power by embracing cleansing, renewal, and rebirth. It is time to start putting things into motion! We can see this just outside our windows with how the days are starting to grow longer and the Sun is returning with its warmth preparing the Earth once more for growth.
This is a sabbat that is about preparing and starting to work for what is to come, getting rid of old things that no longer serve us (like how we do Spring Cleaning) and introspection. Imbolc is about beginnings and the transformation from Winter to Spring. Simply put, you can’t get more or new shit if you’re still carrying around your old baggage… That old baggage is the kindling to the blazing fire of your transformation and renewal to this new year of possibilities.
During the Winter, we usually rest, reflect, and process... but now it is time to stir & quicken within.
I want to put a thought in your mind…We know in magickal or spiritual living, each season/sabbat has a corresponding element. However, have you ever matched or read the story of those elements in a sequence? For example, we know Imbolc is Fire, Spring is Air, & Early Summer is Water. At Imbolc we clear, plan, and begin to send those intentions through a portal of Fire. Then the smoke of our intentions is carried on the breeze by the Air of Spring to the higher realms and beings. Then we start to see the first beginnings of growth of our intentions being manifested and nourished by the rains and water of Early Summer.
Imbolc is Fire - Fire is a purifier but in living a magical or spiritual life it is so much more… fire is also a powerful tool because it is also seen as a portal or gateway to send our intentions to those higher realms & beings. That’s why so many different paths and religions use fire and candles. Every time we burn a Bay Leaf or piece of paper with an intention on it (no matter if the intention is drawing or releasing), we are sending those intentions by smoke to those higher realms & beings to manifest it and bring it forth to reality.
Agriculturally, this is a time when people start clearing the land from the Winter’s rest and preparing it by burning the dead and old leaves and sticks (removing the baggage). By burning we are making room by clearing the old & sending our intentions of new crops and harvest to the universe. Also, by burning we are also preparing & healing the land by adding some ash to the soil to help those future crops absorb nutrients from the soil and help it to become fertile once more. This is why we see so much agriculture and nature being applied to the idea of our intentions being spiritual seeds and crops that we want to cultivate and harvest… it’s almost like our “simple” ancestors were on to something ;)
Imbolc is the light at the end of the tunnel, the birth of the new Spring. It is a small light, like a candle seen in the distance because Spring is still some distance away (which is why we see some Christians celebrate Imbolc as Candlemas). It makes it only right to celebrate Imbolc with candles rather than torches or the blazing balefires that will mark our Spring & Summer celebrations.
So, this Imbolc take some time to stir your inner fire within and light some candles, release the baggage, and send all your "seeds of intention" for an epic year to float on the breeze of the new coming Spring.
