Imbolc: Thawing Your Soul

Introduction

“A book must be the axe for the frozen sea within us.” Franz Kafka

February 1st in Ireland marked the first day of Spring and the beginning of the farmer’s year for the Celtic people. Well before the blooming of the buds, we glimpse the little bowed humble heads of snowdrops in the still cold earth. This is the time we prepare for a new future that we know is surely coming.  Imbolc is the festival of divination, a time for visiting holy wells and infamous Spring cleaning...this festival marks the halfway point between the Winter solstice and the Spring equinox. 

The days are growing noticeably longer. There is ‘a grand stretch in the evenings’ as we say in Ireland and the Goddess of the land is waking up after her sleep. She takes the form of a young child - an Brídeog - filled with new life and promise, though sometimes visiting her trickster energy, ensuring we are kept on our toes... 

These new beginnings can be times of tough teachings, demanding that we learn hard and fast lessons. Like the weather in the northern climes at this time, things can change very suddenly and dramatically. A beautiful, fresh sunny morning can quickly shift into a sleet and bitter cold afternoon. 

But as with every season, we must remind ourselves that we do not walk the path alone. Nor are we facing these challenges and opportunities for the first time. We can learn from those with more wisdom than ourselves. So much of that wisdom is passed down to us, encoded in the ancient traditions and customs of the past.

Day 1: Hospitality and Welcoming the Stranger

Could this be a new beginning? The Celtic imagination knew that every new horizon began by the knocking of something strange arriving at our door. We will explore the poetics of Spring and new beginning, looking at the mythology, poetry, song and spirituality of a new horizon coming into view.

Day 2: And for Ireland I’ll Not Speak Her Name

Like a bud that blooms too soon only to be burned by an unforeseen frost, we can name that which we desire too soon. We must learn not to name our love too soon, only to have the peripheries of the world make us lose true sight of our desires. Where can the wisdom of Imbolc and creativity hone our inner wisdom?

Day 3: ‘The Happy Heart is True’, Saint Brigid, Celtic Goddess

Saint Brigid, Mary of the Gaels, is one of the most important spiritual figures in the Celtic Imagination. Her feast day is the first of February. The feast of Saint Blaise is also at this time. In this tradition we will bless our throats with flame to embolden us to be strong in our voice.

Day 4: Sowing Seeds on Fertile Ground

Now is the time to get to work and begin our own metaphorical agricultural year. How can you work the land of your life to be ready for the seeds of an inner harvest yet to come?

What you will receive:

• Attend four Zoom meetings

• Gain access to recordings of the four sessions indefinitely

• Download the Teaching Notes and Participant Chat for each session

• Receive an invitation to join the Dámh Imeall (h)Edge School Facebook Group

• Become a part of this ever growing community of creativity and imagination

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