themusewithinthemusewithout:

Celebrating the fire within and without.
February the second is the day of the celtic festival named Imbolc. Imbolc represents the lenghtening of days and the return of the sun as the winter starts to give way to the coming spring. This is a celebration of regeneration as the element of fire revered this day by lighting ritualistic fires and candles stands for the overcoming of obstacles and of old stagnant ways, this is an opportunity to purify old karma as we set forth towards new versions of ourselves. The first sprouting of leaves and of the Crocus flowers (symbolic of the sun element) make their appearance, mother earth is ready to give birth to new possibilities as the first lambs begin to lactate as well; Imbolc is also associated with milking so dairy products are consumed this day. This is a celebration of fertility and of the goddess Brighid, goddess of poetry, healing and patron of metaloworkers, we may imagine the baby sun nursing from the fiery goddess’s breast as he becomes more radiant each day. The inspirational goddess provides us with new ideas and the solar plexus chakra is being activated as we enforce ourselves with renewed stamina. The ancient goddess Semele, mother of Dionysus, is another version of Brighid. Semele gave birth to Dionysus surrounded by the ritualistic flames of change that remove any impurities so new ‘pathos’ can emerge.

Brighid painting by John Duncan.