Imbolc -Harbinger of Spring

It was a bright sunny day
with only a little snow
ushering in an early Spring,
Bears even in February
and flowers.

 Clearing and clearing
and clearing
preparing for Bridget.

When Winter doesn't come
with the endless snow and cold
of blank landscapes,
it's disorienting.
But our longing
for the return of the light
and of waking to birdsong
is no less.

flowers from all of the flowers
that bloomed here last year
saved with gratitude
and offered to Bridget

 From the photos and our journals
and thinking about this season past,
I remember that ritual was a familial gathering
reconnecting delightfully
in the newly found sunlight,
grateful that we have gotten this far,
and how important is a mindfulness
of the sacred nature and time
of our assembling.
Sacrifice
from the heart
-even from the pantry-
is so much more.
Our intent and focus elevates.

The sound has been the essential thing.

Without fear we welcomed February,
special time to honor and acknowledge
Bridget's blessings,
leap year transition time.

There's been some minor snow events
loads of serious wind
and much discovery
this season.

Now less than two weeks until
Vernal Equinox,
it's been hard not to do
too soon garden work.
Speeding time and climate
belie the need to remain slow.

How do you move through
Bridget's girdle-
dancing, leaping, shimmying,
stepping,
with assistance or not,
with laughter,
with your feet or arms
or mind
or heart?

Words and Pics from then and some other Words from now

fun fun fun
gentle
the time to do

lighting ice lanterns
one placed in each direction
around the circle


be yourself absolutely

Bridget's voice
and touch
in your head and heart

anti-fear
love love love

lighting the fire
lighting the Bridget's candle

 

 just being
you

feel yourself on this earth

 10 plus us
then two more later.
SHASHUKA!

 

following the sun
honoring the sun
loving the warmth
of this great star

may this be one of the last rituals
where we are mourning
unfathomable dead

Angels are here and they're all around
if you give them an ear you will hear their sound
coming through
me and you
and we're in heaven-
Perry Robinson "Angelology"

 

  simple healing of everyday
barefoot in the sun
cloaked in the shade

 

 

water on the well of ice
underneath which is water
Water Ice Oreo.

 just being
home

 

just being

everyone
with so much praise
for Bridget

can we ever be done with
praise offerings
for her

photo by Nicci

being ok
with not doing everything
helping everyone
help yourself

  Omens

from our Honored Dead
the Runes: Uruz- the Auroch, primordial Ox, strength of life force,
the proto-ancient
the sound ur

the Ogham: Iodhadh- the Yew tree, the most ancient, associated with age and Permanence
the letter i

from the Spirits of Nature and Place
the Runes: Raido- communication or journey or circuit
going all the way around
the sound of r

the Ogham: Coll- the Hazel, wisdom and judgement
it also has to do with second sight and inspiration
the letter k

from the Gods and Goddesses

the Runes: Ansuz- the wind and the Voice
(Odin's cape flapping around),
qualities of wind and voice and direction

the sound of Oss

the Ogham: Onn- the Gorse, related to wheel and the sound, gathering abundance and a foundation
vitality and gratitude
the letter o

for the Season

the Runes: Isa- Ice which is not fire,
dense and hard, clear and still
the sound of silence

the Ogham: Fearn- the Alder Tree, protection, emotional shelter and guidance
confidence in times of challenge
the letter f

 

ice
destruction
or anti-destruction
solidity and slick
beautiful stillness
without fear
but wonder
respect & love 

going thrice
thru Bridget's girdle
transformed
Spring's a-coming.

 

keeping humble

Bridget's inspiration/compassion/love
forging our fire

allowing
the embers in our belly
to go to flame

inspire our hearts 
and our spirits
and our joy

 
sometimes we do another fire
after everyone has gone home
or the next day
to make sure all sacrifice is consumed
to make sure we clear energies
to make sure we feel whole.