Imbolc: A Time for Becoming...

[Tanga]

When I was in my coven, we had to write a poem, and I wrote one about the Goddess Brighid. I think it fits with Imbolc that is coming, since it’s Brighid that brings Spring to us, and Imbolc is related to Brighid. I had an image in my mind when I wrote that poem, an image I found on the internet years later, which I will share here as well.


The Radiant Brighid

She comes into the light,
Her naked feet caressing the snow,
And as she comes, bringing the light,
The snow melts under her feet.

She bears the Sun on her cloak
And Spring on her pale face,
A warm breeze plays with her blond hair,
Her smile full of promises.

Her radiant beauty makes Winter go away
And Darkness hides at the other side of the world.
Her green thumb is prosperous,
It gives life and heals.

With her fingers on her harp,
She awakens the souls and the spirits
From their deep sleep
And inspires them visions of beauty and of peace.

That's pretty cool WolfyJames
Thanks so much for sharing it.
Occassionally poems just come to me (and annoyingly I lost a whole book of my poetry in our housemove some years ago... somehow Sigh. I was planning to publish them - just for myself.).
But more often these days if they come, it's in the form of a chant or invokation for magick and ritual.

A poem writing exercise sounds interesting... (I am presently Coven-less).
The image looks like a version of Flora - Roman Goddess of flowers and Spring. Pretty!
And incidentally and sadly - an association I have with Flora - was when I went to an Imbolc open Pagan ritual once years ago - which was soooo badly organized it was embarrassing - and I complained officially about it afterwards too. Lol. That was the 1st time I learnt about who Flora is.



Banbha - did you make the Brigid Cross yourself?

I love snow drops because they're the real marker of Imbolc for me.
So - I'm waiting... (I've planted some - so I know which green bits coming up might be them).

 

[banbha]

Banbha - did you make the Brigid Cross yourself?

I love snow drops because they're the real marker of Imbolc for me.
So - I'm waiting... (I've planted some - so I know which green bits coming up might be them).

Oh no, I wish I had the skill to make them. I buy them from craftspeople/stores.

Here's a neat one interesting because it's made of sticks:

 

[banbha]

 

[banbha]

The Birth of Fire – A History of Imbolc Traditions

 

[MandMaud]

Imbolc feels very important this time, which for me is very odd because I have never particularly celebrated it. I usually mark the sabbats by being aware and noticing, maybe a candle or something vague like looking on YouTube for related songs, I don't really mark them. So far. But this time, the excitement has been building up in me for weeks. Since before Christmas, I think. I did the traditional Christmas with my sons without much interest, but have been looking forward very much to Imbolc and it's also the first time I've bothered to find out exactly when it falls. (I'm not very much a calendar/dates person, can you tell? )

In a way it's my favourite season since I learnt about it, for one reason and another. But no idea why it matters more this year than ever before.

 

[HearthCricket]

Blessed Imbolc to all! My altar this year, with a nod to Elen of the Ways!

 

[RavenOfSummer]

Blessed Imbolc to all! My altar this year, with a nod to Elen of the Ways!

Beautiful altar.

Thanks to all for sharing their Imbolc pictures, poems, and wishes. It is lovely to read and look at them all.

In my heart I feel very much in touch with the Imbolc season, but haven't done much to prepare or celebrate yet- no altar, no ritual etc. My husband and I just got back from India, and with the travel it seemed like there wasn't much time to prepare. But, we are planning to do a small ritual at home this weekend.

I'm also going to an event at the National Cathedral called Kindling the Flame: A Creativity Retreat for the Feast of St. Brigid, this Friday. I wonder if I will be the only one there to bring up Goddess Brigid, teeheehee.

 

[banbha]

Imbolc feels very important this time, which for me is very odd because I have never particularly celebrated it. I usually mark the sabbats by being aware and noticing, maybe a candle or something vague like looking on YouTube for related songs, I don't really mark them. So far. But this time, the excitement has been building up in me for weeks. Since before Christmas, I think. I did the traditional Christmas with my sons without much interest, but have been looking forward very much to Imbolc and it's also the first time I've bothered to find out exactly when it falls. (I'm not very much a calendar/dates person, can you tell? )

In a way it's my favourite season since I learnt about it, for one reason and another. But no idea why it matters more this year than ever before.

I love Imbolc. For me, in part, it's cleaning out the winter and preparing for Spring. I'm really looking forward to it this year and fresh beginning it brings, because last year was a rough one.

Here's a site that may interest you: http://www.archaeoastronomy.com/

It pin points the the exact time and date of the solstices, equinox's and cross quarter days on the wheel of the year, every year.

 

[banbha]

Blessed Imbolc to all! My altar this year, with a nod to Elen of the Ways!

Blessed Imbolc to you HearthCricket! That is a beautiful altar! And Oh! Elen of the Ways too. She is such an ancient goddess going back far into the mists of time, I can't help but love her. She really resonates with me on some deep level, at a time when reindeer ran down trails in Britain.

 

[banbha]

Beautiful altar.

Thanks to all for sharing their Imbolc pictures, poems, and wishes. It is lovely to read and look at them all.

In my heart I feel very much in touch with the Imbolc season, but haven't done much to prepare or celebrate yet- no altar, no ritual etc. My husband and I just got back from India, and with the travel it seemed like there wasn't much time to prepare. But, we are planning to do a small ritual at home this weekend.

I'm also going to an event at the National Cathedral called Kindling the Flame: A Creativity Retreat for the Feast of St. Brigid, this Friday. I wonder if I will be the only one there to bring up Goddess Brigid, teeheehee.

Haha, I'd bring her up too. I think going to the National Cathedral retreat is honoring the goddess Brigid as well. The Saint is cut from Her cloth after all!