A Spring Welcome
A welcoming of Spring
Imbolc (St. Brigids Day) is a Wiccan and pagan holiday – the Gaelic traditional festival is celebrated around 1st of February. The festival was apparently a feast of purification for farmers. It is sometimes referred to as Candlemas; 2nd February is known in the Christian faith as Candlemas day. I tend to refer to them interchangeably as generally, in modern times, these festivals remind us that the light and the increasing power of the sun is now returning to give warmth to our year ahead. It marks the beginning of spring.
This surely sparks joy, as by the time we get to the end of January, officially the longest month in existence, we’re all but ready for, and anticipating, that shift in seasonal energy.
Awakening
The earth stirs below our feet with its gentle signs of awakening. It is the halfway point between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. It’s a time to truly celebrate the lengthening of days, as we now start to observe the early signs of spring, the most notable at this time being the arrival of the first snowdrops.
Consider the following quote:
There is much to be learned from tender snowdrops – delicate flowers that emerge, with resilience from the frosts, symbolising hope and the promise of new beginnings. Their white colour reflects their purity and symbolises the blank canvas upon which the coming seasons shall paint their stories.
You may wish to eat pancakes on the 2nd February. This originates from past times, where Candlemas referred to the fertility of the earth. Farmers used to bake crêpes with surplus flour from the previous year. With their round shape and golden colour, pancakes symbolised light, sunshine and the return of fine weather.
Folklore: If Candlemas Day is clear and bright, winter will have another bite. If Candlemas Day brings cloud and rain, winter is gone and won't come again.
Spring is the time that the light really touches us. A freshness, derived from the early morning crystal-like dew upon grass, and the cool damp mists that still swirl in the air before gently dissolving to bring us the new day. Spring is quietly contemplating, a renewed charm that is armed with a muted vibrance, one that facilitates us in escaping the dark ashes of midwinter.
A Glimpse of Spring
The pre-dawn skies had exhibited visible stars. Stars so bright, it was as if the skies were lit midnight blue, with an underlying luminance that shone deep from within its own silk veil. There’s a semi pale skyline, one that later in the spring and throughout summer, never truly retires. A sheen like glow, like a ripened peach backdrop reflected against the distant edges of the horizon.
The dawn dissolves into a crisp day that teases us with the essence of spring. The earth is stirring with its gentle promise. The morning delivers the freshness of the overnight, sweetened rainfall.
It’s nice to have these blissfully ‘alone’ moments, where intuition and inspiration can re-wild themselves. At present the peace of dawn washes over me like a zesty shower, cleansing my mind. The spirit of the morning – a fragile balance between light and dark, punctuated with the sounds of the countryside as the daylight emerges from its temporary hibernation - one of prescribed hours. Alas, the sun has risen.
Spring Reflections
What do we love most about spring? What are you looking forward to? It is always wondrous to see the hedgerows alive with blackthorn; their bursts of vibrant white flowers are much like a spring snowstorm - an explosion of colour that brings hope to the year ahead. The showers of Blackthorn appear spritely and joyous, matched only by the tender song from sparrows amongst the hawthorns. The days are mild – clear blue skies and the comfort of sunshine warming the day. Spring always allows me to notice the small pleasures and absorb them, fully in the moment; bare feet upon dewy grass, birdsong, and spectacular sunrises.
The colours, sights, sounds, smells are awakening everywhere as the weeks unfold. Those deep earthy scents that come with the spring rains - raindrops that will water growth.
Looking ahead, by early May, spring brings with it the unmistakable dawn chorus. In the garden I’ll often spot the distinctive great spotted woodpecker on the bird feeder, as well as blackbirds foraging, a black cap, or a family of great tits - their song the definitive reminder that spring has arrived. Out and about on walks, there’s the distinctive call of the green woodpecker, the unmistakable flash of red upon green as it takes flight. Colours become abundant - young oak leaves and grass shoots with their tender, yet vibrant pigments. The explosion of yellow dandelions and buttercups.
In the woodlands, the bluebells will form a vibrant carpet of periwinkle beneath the canopy of trees, clinging to the gentle slopes and dressing the woodland banks in contrasting colour and subtle scents – fleeting moments, that will come to pass quickly. In the evenings, the sun shall cast its shadows, dancing across the varying degrees of viridian hues, before retiring below the horizon, to make way for a rising moon. Dusk fades to deep night, taking with it silhouettes of the day, etched into our memories like lino prints.
Planting the Seeds
Now is a good time to gently stir awake and think about what you want to plant and harvest over the coming year - both symbolically and physically. You can light a candle at home while you ponder and reflect upon all the possibilities that renewal brings, because at this point in the year, it’s a time of new beginnings and in the physical sense, it’s a great time to plant seeds and bulbs.
During periods of quiet reflection, think about, and set your intentions for the year ahead. What do you wish to accomplish and how will you achieve your goals?
Visualisation can help with this and is a powerful tool for focus and manifestation. If you like to work with crystals, then they can be a great help during this time also. Try utilising the calming energy of amethyst or the nurturing energies of moonstone. If you wish to focus on abundance and prosperity use citrine, while Quartz is the perfect complement to the other stones to help amplify all the other energies. Seek to do a mindful activity each day, however small.
Want to use some herbs? Try bay to complement the citrine stone (prosperity and success). Sage for clarity of the mind, lavender for calm and relaxation and rosemary for energy and vitality.
Conversations with a Robin
Sometimes, you experience odd and special moments in life. It’s exactly how one morning encounter in February last year felt when I was out on a local walk. There was no real conversation that took place, least not in the traditional sense, but there was definitely an energy that passed between me and the friendly Robin I encountered.
I sat atop a log in the woodlands, taking in the views. It was when I looked into the bramble bush close by that I saw the Robin stood in what looked like a little arch in the bramble – like a miniature front door! I noticed him staring at me. It was like our roles were reversed and he was watching me from the cover of his home. And observe me he did, carefully.
Then, he came closer, hopping onto a tree right beside me. He sang a little, not high-pitched or vibrant song, but almost like personal mutterings. And then he came closer still. He seemed captured in that special moment – a sense of fascination coming from him. We were like that for a while before eventually, he flew towards me and then past me. I am not sure what he was telling me, but it was something, and he choose to seek me out and trust me. It was a lovely moment, whereby I was not alone.
Fireside Reads
Nightwalking by John Lewis-Stempel
Meadowland by John Lewis-Stempel
Beautiful Jus!