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Imbolc is the first pagan fire festival of the year and the first promise of spring when the Earth begins to stir into life. It is associated with the bride Goddess Brigit (my favourite spelling), Irish Goddess of hearth and home, who comes to me very strongly on the eve of Imbolc. Brigit is the Goddess of healing and inspiration, her presence blessed the Earth for centuries and her sacred fire had been kept alive and cherished by so many before us. Today she is very present for me, as I light a white candle, make my Brigit cross and sit down to draw her face.

The Feminine stirs gently stretching towards the potential light underneath warm layers of soil.  Walk on Earth with your feet bare, feel how she feels and merge with the rhythms and vibrations of the warm pulsating heart hidden underneath the rich soil and warm protective layer. Things are coming into life. My heart begins to flutter with the knowledge of new possibilities, cleansing, purifying, refreshing my ways and musings and my walk upon the sacred. It is the time to cleanse the home, work on protecting with light and love all that we cherish. It is time to light the fire of new possibilities, new births within our souls and listening to that gentle voice that is approaching us beneath the layers of the Earth, calling us into new ways of being, new adventures and explorations. What a wonderful journey of becoming, unfolding and stretching into consciousness.

This Imbolc I’m going to extend the celebration by going on a journey with Brigit for 30 days doing little exercises every day to tune into her energy and honour her sacred presence during this transitional time. I will look at what I need to release in order to let myself be born again and what my new being seeks to manifest and also what seeks me. It is in the movement forward and letting go off what holds us back that we experience the flow of life.

What ways are you letting Brigid into your home and inspiring renewal?

Brigid ~ Inspiration:

“Let me come to you

through the mists

through the fire

through the plants

through the deep flowing wells

with ideas

visions

words

music beyond the tips of your ears

Let me move you

enliven you

till your perspective shifts

and your mind ~ body~ spirit explodes

and you are left standing

in the wake of what has been revealed…

and life feels very sweet.”

Meaning of the Card: “Brigid comes to ignite you with inspiration. Are you feeling a lack of direction? Motivation? Energy? Has your path gone out of focus, your life become unclear? It is time to nurture wholeness by taking in the sparkle and crackle of inspiration. Brigid says that a life without the fire of inspiration is dull indeed. She further counsels that by allowing inspiration to nurture your life you become sharper, clearer, and more energetic.” -by Amy Sophia Marashinsky, Illustrated by Hrana Janto

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Natalia Clarke is a writer and pyschotherapist.