Imbolc

I very much intended to write a blog post about Imbolc over the weekend as it is generally celebrated on January 31st, February 1st or Feburary 2nd.  Alas- I found no time for blogging so opted to find some time (at work;) today to say a couple things about Imbolc.  Then I looked it up online and found that Imbolc actually happens TODAY this year at exactly 4:55 this afternoon.  Well, that's the moment that is astrologically precisely between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox.  Imbolc is when we start to see the beginning hints of spring in the amount of sunlight our little piece of the Earth receives each day.  I always like to celebrate it as Groundhog Day, mostly because of Bill Murray and the amazing cuteness of Punxsutawney Phil.  But Imbolc is about more than whether or not we have six more weeks of winter to look forward to- isn't there always more winter around this time in MA?!   Imbolc is more importantly about hope, creativity, and transformation- all that was emphasized by that great New Moon we experienced on Friday.  I'm super excited about change and new beginnings right now, as you may have seen in my last blog post about the VIII of Pentacles.  The more cosmic energy that can be generated around this transformation, the better, in my opinion.

I'm making an effort in 2014 to pay more attention to moon cycles and the creative, spiritual, and renewing energy that working with the moon can add to my life experiences.  The New Moon is a time to begin new projects, focus on goals, and put creative energy into accomplishing those goals.  I had a lot of great ideas at the first New Moon on January 1st, 2014, but things went wildly astray and I wasn't able to make the kind of focused progress I am yearning for physically and spiritually.  This next New Moon and Imbolc are both reassuring me that what wasn't so successful in January can be remedied, as well as giving me renewed hope and energy to really hit goals in February.   I actually believe I can change some of the immoderate behavior that is drawing me away from the harmony of Temperance that I crave, and letting me take a real spiritual look at myself.  I'm looking forward to doing some cleansing of my body, spirit, and physical environment.  I hope you find ways to purify, renew, transform, be creative, and nurture yourself as well at this turning of the Wheel toward Spring!