Imbolc, which in Celtic means “in the belly” is a holyday
representing Hope. This is the celebration of the stirring of
the seeds underground. Day by day, darkness gives way to light
at morning and evening. There is a sense of the eventual coming
of spring, but we feel a restlessness or cabin fever also. This
can be the bleakest time of the year when we can wonder if
spring will ever come. We long to spend more time outdoors
instead of hidden inside. What seeds are stirring in you? What
is restless to emerge? What of yourself do you wish to bring to
light instead of to keep in darkness? Imbolc is a solar holyday,
based on the position of the earth to the sun. It has
traditionally been celebrated as a fire festival, and also
honors Brigid (or Bride), the ancient Celtic goddess of poetry,
healing and smithing. It is a celebration of fertility of the
coming spring, both with livestock as well as crops. What do you
want to fertilize in yourself? What do you want fire to activate
or purify in your life? What do yo