Looking Toward Spring: Imbolc 2010

Took this pic of the icicles out my window over the weekend. We got around 8 inches of snow, which is quite a lot for the area. And these icicles grew even longer as the temps varied, turning into long, pointy ice daggers by end of day.

Had my 2010 Imbolc celebration yesterday, here at the midpoint between winter and spring. Much to my surprise, my partner joined in (he really is trying to salvage our relationship, which makes my ol' Grinchy heart grow a size larger). I was also surprised that, earlier in the day, he got to work cleaning the house! That-never-happens. Well, what a perfect transition into Imbolc, a time when some symbolically purified their homes by doing an early spring cleaning.

So my partner and I gathered 'round the dining room table, where I set up my altar (pictured below). After clearing the space and lighting the candles, I handed out 2 seeds/nuts (I think they're hazelnuts--not sure. It was all we had, and my partner had collected them ages ago. Hmmm, maybe he's a closet shaman and doesn't know it yet...). Another Imbolc tradition is to have a feast to celebrate the pending return of nature's abundance, so we chowed down for lunch--which included cheese; dairy products have a connection to Imbolc because it's supposedly near the time when lambs begin nursing.

Also on the altar is my white "power wand" to symbolize St. Brighid, a holly twig to symbolize spring (everything else was under 8 inches of snow!) and some books of poetry, since Brighid was Christianized into the patroness of poets. After we finished eating, we each read a poem, then held the seeds as we talked about what we hoped would grow in 2010. I mentioned my spiritual practice as well as more physical exercise. And my partner said he would keep doing whatever was necessary to keep our relationship intact.

It was a beautiful, wintry weekend, very reflective, which is 1 reason I enjoy this time of year. As to the relationship status, I'm pondering all this over. Much to sort out still, so stay tuned.

 Blessings!

Looking Toward Spring: Imbolc 2010

Took this pic of the icicles out my window over the weekend. We got around 8 inches of snow, which is quite a lot for the area. And these icicles grew even longer as the temps varied, turning into long, pointy ice daggers by end of day.

Had my 2010 Imbolc celebration yesterday, here at the midpoint between winter and spring. Much to my surprise, my partner joined in (he really is trying to salvage our relationship, which makes my ol' Grinchy heart grow a size larger). I was also surprised that, earlier in the day, he got to work cleaning the house! That-never-happens. Well, what a perfect transition into Imbolc, a time when some symbolically purified their homes by doing an early spring cleaning.

So my partner and I gathered 'round the dining room table, where I set up my altar (pictured below). After clearing the space and lighting the candles, I handed out 2 seeds/nuts (I think they're hazelnuts--not sure. It was all we had, and my partner had collected them ages ago. Hmmm, maybe he's a closet shaman and doesn't know it yet...). Another Imbolc tradition is to have a feast to celebrate the pending return of nature's abundance, so we chowed down for lunch--which included cheese; dairy products have a connection to Imbolc because it's supposedly near the time when lambs begin nursing.

Also on the altar is my white "power wand" to symbolize St. Brighid, a holly twig to symbolize spring (everything else was under 8 inches of snow!) and some books of poetry, since Brighid was Christianized into the patroness of poets. After we finished eating, we each read a poem, then held the seeds as we talked about what we hoped would grow in 2010. I mentioned my spiritual practice as well as more physical exercise. And my partner said he would keep doing whatever was necessary to keep our relationship intact.

It was a beautiful, wintry weekend, very reflective, which is 1 reason I enjoy this time of year. As to the relationship status, I'm pondering all this over. Much to sort out still, so stay tuned.

 Blessings!

My Grumpy Pants Are On Waaaay Too Tight!

Boy, am I grumpy today. Had to control my temper in the grocery store after way too many slooooow people with carts got in my way!

And I know why I'm grumpy--but, *yawn*, it's the same ol', same ol'. And usually, thinking ahead to some sort of ritual provides a welcome distraction--but not right now. Next Monday is Imbolc, the mid-point between winter and spring. I always try and celebrate these moments in some way that helps me reconnect to the Earth, to the changing seasons. So this photo here, with the candles in the snow, reminds me that the light is returning soon.

But not even this is taking my mind off work, money, relationships, health--you name it!
Arrrgh! Grrrowl!

My Grumpy Pants Are On Waaaay Too Tight!

Boy, am I grumpy today. Had to control my temper in the grocery store after way too many slooooow people with carts got in my way!

And I know why I'm grumpy--but, *yawn*, it's the same ol', same ol'. And usually, thinking ahead to some sort of ritual provides a welcome distraction--but not right now. Next Monday is Imbolc, the mid-point between winter and spring. I always try and celebrate these moments in some way that helps me reconnect to the Earth, to the changing seasons. So this photo here, with the candles in the snow, reminds me that the light is returning soon.

But not even this is taking my mind off work, money, relationships, health--you name it!
Arrrgh! Grrrowl!

Learning About Lucid Dreaming from My Groundhog Jedi Masters

How can a groundhog be a Jedi? Hello, remember Yoda? He wasn't much bigger than a groundhog. So with all the groundhog energy in my yard lately, I thought I should take another look at the critter's symbolism, get in touch with it on a shamanic level and see what the animal might represent. Sometimes, yes, it's just a pesky groundhog, but here's what I found.

Excerpted from Ted Andrews' "Animal Speak":
Because of their digging and tunneling abilities, the appearance of a groundhog may reflect your own ability to go deep within an area of interest or when a new area of study is about to open up.

The groundhog's "medicine" is its ability to hibernate for long periods. In the winter, its body temperature drops to just above freezing, its breathing slows to one breath per minute (wow) and the heart beats only about 4 or five times per minutes (wow, wow). This symbolizes opening to the dreamtime and using it more powerfully. Groundhogs can alert us to the significance of dreams and the ability to develop lucid dreaming and other altered states.

Just like groundhogs, shamans, yogis and other mystics would slow down their own breathing and heart beat in order to enter altered states or trances. In these states, they would seek healing or knowledge. So, the groundhog announces more opportunities to explore these states of consciousness.

Ok, cool, so I guess I need to pay more attention to my meditations, journeys and dreams, to delve deeper. There's quite a bit about consciousness I haven't explored, and I do have much more to learn. We've actually discussed this in our shamanic workshops, and there's one recurring dream I have that I'd like to explore in a more intentional way. This has always been a fascinating topic to me.

But then it gets scary: "Animal Speak" also suggests that groundhogs, because of their ability to hibernate, can offer lessons associated with death and dying and revelations about its process. Um--that doesn't sound all that fun. Thank you Messrs. Groundhog, I'll take all this under consideration--but I think I'll focus on the dreams instead!

Of course, don't forget Groundhog Day in February--same time as Imbolc or St. Brigid's Day, when the critters emerge from hibernation to predict the weather.

Learn more about groundhogs here, or read the full "Animal Speak" entry.

Learning About Lucid Dreaming from My Groundhog Jedi Masters

How can a groundhog be a Jedi? Hello, remember Yoda? He wasn't much bigger than a groundhog. So with all the groundhog energy in my yard lately, I thought I should take another look at the critter's symbolism, get in touch with it on a shamanic level and see what the animal might represent. Sometimes, yes, it's just a pesky groundhog, but here's what I found.

Excerpted from Ted Andrews' "Animal Speak":
Because of their digging and tunneling abilities, the appearance of a groundhog may reflect your own ability to go deep within an area of interest or when a new area of study is about to open up.

The groundhog's "medicine" is its ability to hibernate for long periods. In the winter, its body temperature drops to just above freezing, its breathing slows to one breath per minute (wow) and the heart beats only about 4 or five times per minutes (wow, wow). This symbolizes opening to the dreamtime and using it more powerfully. Groundhogs can alert us to the significance of dreams and the ability to develop lucid dreaming and other altered states.

Just like groundhogs, shamans, yogis and other mystics would slow down their own breathing and heart beat in order to enter altered states or trances. In these states, they would seek healing or knowledge. So, the groundhog announces more opportunities to explore these states of consciousness.

Ok, cool, so I guess I need to pay more attention to my meditations, journeys and dreams, to delve deeper. There's quite a bit about consciousness I haven't explored, and I do have much more to learn. We've actually discussed this in our shamanic workshops, and there's one recurring dream I have that I'd like to explore in a more intentional way. This has always been a fascinating topic to me.

But then it gets scary: "Animal Speak" also suggests that groundhogs, because of their ability to hibernate, can offer lessons associated with death and dying and revelations about its process. Um--that doesn't sound all that fun. Thank you Messrs. Groundhog, I'll take all this under consideration--but I think I'll focus on the dreams instead!

Of course, don't forget Groundhog Day in February--same time as Imbolc or St. Brigid's Day, when the critters emerge from hibernation to predict the weather.

Learn more about groundhogs here, or read the full "Animal Speak" entry.

I'm Back In Time to Celebrate Imbolc!

Well, crazy week, 'nuf said. Hopefully, next week won't be as manic.

And here we are at Imbolc, the midpoint between winter and spring. If you don't know, it's an old tradition that marks the time when lambs start to nurse and focuses on fertility and the return of the sun from the dark, cold days of winter.

If you're curious about my altar photo:

• The white cloth and candles, plus the blue candle, reminded me of the wintry season we're in.
• The "white wand" at the left side is a mana tube I made. It contains sand and a quartz crystal within a copper pipe to attract energy. It's decorated with clear beads, reflective ribbon, glitter, white tape and white adhesive skulls. Yes, I am a 12-year-old girl--so there! Anyway, I actually made this several months ago. But then I read that St. Brigid, the patron deity/saint of Imbolc, "uses her white want to breathe life into winter," I thought, perfect!
• I have a dead twig to symbolize winter and a sprig of monkey grass to symbolize the coming spring.
• The ginger snaps also symbolize winter and the last celebration, Yule. The milk recognizes the nursing lamb aspect of Imbolc.
• The stuffed wolf is actually a poppet I made when i was given the name "Riverwolf." The wolf is one of my animal totems/spirit guides, and they have several connections to Imbolc. Some say that wolves, along with groundhogs, come out of hibernation about now to check the weather. In some areas, February is considered the "wolf month" because of its harshness and old tales of wolves eating humans to stay alive. Also, in roughly 2 weeks, is when Lupercalia, an ancient Roman festival, was once held (roughly same time as our Valentine's Day). The best part? As part of the fertility ritual, the men would run around town naked except for a wolf mask! Sounds like fun--but it's a wee bit too cold for that around here!

Given the fertility rites surrounding Imbolc, it's a good time to focus on what we hope will grow in our lives in the coming year and how we can sow these seeds. I had my usual: more writing assignments, more honesty in my life and relationships and, of course, a whole lot more fun!

It's good to be back!

I'm Back In Time to Celebrate Imbolc!

Well, crazy week, 'nuf said. Hopefully, next week won't be as manic.

And here we are at Imbolc, the midpoint between winter and spring. If you don't know, it's an old tradition that marks the time when lambs start to nurse and focuses on fertility and the return of the sun from the dark, cold days of winter.

If you're curious about my altar photo:

• The white cloth and candles, plus the blue candle, reminded me of the wintry season we're in.
• The "white wand" at the left side is a mana tube I made. It contains sand and a quartz crystal within a copper pipe to attract energy. It's decorated with clear beads, reflective ribbon, glitter, white tape and white adhesive skulls. Yes, I am a 12-year-old girl--so there! Anyway, I actually made this several months ago. But then I read that St. Brigid, the patron deity/saint of Imbolc, "uses her white want to breathe life into winter," I thought, perfect!
• I have a dead twig to symbolize winter and a sprig of monkey grass to symbolize the coming spring.
• The ginger snaps also symbolize winter and the last celebration, Yule. The milk recognizes the nursing lamb aspect of Imbolc.
• The stuffed wolf is actually a poppet I made when i was given the name "Riverwolf." The wolf is one of my animal totems/spirit guides, and they have several connections to Imbolc. Some say that wolves, along with groundhogs, come out of hibernation about now to check the weather. In some areas, February is considered the "wolf month" because of its harshness and old tales of wolves eating humans to stay alive. Also, in roughly 2 weeks, is when Lupercalia, an ancient Roman festival, was once held (roughly same time as our Valentine's Day). The best part? As part of the fertility ritual, the men would run around town naked except for a wolf mask! Sounds like fun--but it's a wee bit too cold for that around here!

Given the fertility rites surrounding Imbolc, it's a good time to focus on what we hope will grow in our lives in the coming year and how we can sow these seeds. I had my usual: more writing assignments, more honesty in my life and relationships and, of course, a whole lot more fun!

It's good to be back!