Happy Imbolc, to new life in the Southern Hemisphere

by · February 1, 2020

Happy Imbolc!

It is the time of the Spring Festival and with the new moon last weekend the New Year (the Year of the Rat!) in China as well for many other peoples around China.. such as those from Vietnam.. Therefore, to my friends who observe, Happy Lunar New Year!

To my friends actually in the UK, Scotland and Ireland, right now — I’m so sorry about Brexit..

To my family and friends whose ancestors are from the UK, Scotland and Ireland, Happy Imbolg (in Scottish Celt), and Happy Imbolc (in Irish Celts), and also Happy Saint Brigid’s Day!!

For my orthodox Christian friends, Happy Candlemas too!!

And of course to my Hindu friends, Happy Vasant Panchami!!

As we become more conversant (thanks to the Internet), and generally less judgmental, realizing our own privilege and our place amongst the citizens on this planet.. and much more interested in multi-cultural ways, and especially interested in the olden ways of our own ancestors, of living with the land, before Christianity..

We are much more open to observances of the land, the stars and how we feel. Right now is the cross-quarter day between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox, and if you’re like me, living in the Northern Hemisphere, you’re feeling it in your bones. Light earlier in the morning and just a bit later in the afternoon. This noticing, that the days are now longer, yet Winter is still here, this is a definite sign that Spring is coming. The first signs of spring. It brings jubilation.

A reason to celebrate. To make ready. To give thanks.

Happy Imbolc. To one and all. 

May this time of year fill you with light and hope and inspiration. 

It is a time to perform some sort of ritual such as light a candle, make a milk pudding, and nurture a house plant or make something beautiful with plant fibres. Clear out a box of things. Say a few words out loud. Give thanks. Say a desire. Wish a loved one Life’s best blessings.

Last night, I was graced with a letter from a friend in Australia who confirmed my suspicion — that amongst all the forests ravaged by fire there would be new life sprouting everywhere. This, this was the prayer I was holding in my heart, as the dread poured in for weeks, with news and pictures of terrifying fires on the SW coastal regions.

And NOW the photographs are coming in, just at this time.. at the cross-quarter time.. in the Southern Hemisphere it is their Mid-summer.

I leave you with this. 

With hope, and the most poignant and beautiful photos of the resilience and beauty of Australia. After the fires.

Love. ❤️

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MY WISH

Holding space for grief, heart wide open
mending brokenness with words, colour, texture
inspired in the twilight of our days on this land
not ours.
Welling up with gratitude and despair both
hope is but a glimmer, yet joy is trembling
bursting forth
as the birds sing and flowers blossom
may we take pleasure as we mourn.

Welcome

These days, we are making sense of things after climbing out of a deep sleep, post-pandemic.

Our bodies feel anxious about the rise of fascism and evidence of roiling climate crises at every turn.. and so, as we increase our conscious awareness, it’s important to increase connection, each in our own local communities and become fluent with our channels for mutual aid.

Attempting to maintain control through all this uncertainty is a normal response, though it’s likely to feel triggered and confused.. do relax and feel into whatever comes up, and know it is normal in urgent times like these.. reach out to loved ones, let them know they can count on you, and allow them to be there for you, too……

I’m over here in Vancouver Canada, picking up the pieces of my shattered life. I find it helpful to use writing (journaling) and making things, listening to the land and feeling into my ancestors and reclamation as therapy to work through (and hopefully beyond) post-concussion symptoms.

Thank you for visiting.

As always, I would love to hear from you.. the usual channels, or by email at hitrish @ gmail .com  ❤️ 

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