Today, February 2, 2011, is Imbolc. Imbolc is the Pagan celebration of the First Day of Spring. It is a time when we celebrate the fact that, beneath the icy mantle of the Earth, there are seeds that are beginning to stir and that will gestate and create beautiful greenery in the Summer. It is also a time when we acknowledge the fact that the Light is returning to our world.
One of the traditions that I love to do is to light every lamp (candles included) in the house and walk through with incense chanting, "By all that's Good, and blood of Kin, We welcome the Light and let it in!" I did that this morning because I actually had time to do so. Sometimes it takes me until the evening to have the time, but it really doesn't matter when it is done, as long as it gets done. Yesterday I created more light at my Healing Altar, both as a celebration of Imbolc and, well, because I was tired of the decorations that were there. New meaning had to be expressed. And when better to create something new than on the New Moon?
I like the light that is expressed in this photo, taken by my friend, Bob Menzies, off the coast of Scotland. When an area is used to having grey skies, any amount of light becomes precious and appreciated to the fullest. That is how I have felt this winter. Not a lot of light was experienced because of cloud cover. But today is bright and sunny and beautiful.
That is truly what magic is all about. It is the honoring and expression of the beauty that is experienced in nature each and every day, each and every season, each and every moon phase. The celebration of life begins with appreciation thereof, and continues into an exuberance and abundance that overflows from our hearts to the Earth, out to the Universe and back!
Blessed Be
Trent
http://www.youtube.com/trentdeerhorn
www.deerhornshamanic.com
3 comments:
A stunning photograph of the Light piercing the shadows, Trent.
I performed the Imbolc ceremony the way you described it in your post. The house was completely lit up by the time I'd chanted through all the rooms with my dragon's blood incense in hand. The brightness chased away all the shadows for a moment. I feel somewhat uplifted after participating in the observance of the first day of Spring and the return of the Light to our world.
Thanks for the post!
You are most welcome! Enjoy!
Sending you lots of blessings on Imbolc. Events have kept me from celebrating so far this week, but I plan to do so this weekend. Thanks for your encouragement here!
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