
We enter into the Mysteries of Imbolc, Candlemas, or Fèill Bhrìghde.
As I mentioned in previous musings, Imbolc-Candlemas has long been considered a thin time and an ancestral holy time traditionally celebrated during the first few days of February.
The mid-point of Imbolc occurs when the Sun is at 15 degrees of Aquarius.
In 2017 (and 2019), that’s February 3rd, give or take some hours based on whereon this beautiful Earth you are at the moment.
This also initiates what the late Mythic Astrologer Steve Nelson called the Candlemas Hora … a holy time. He said:
“This Mid-Aquarius “power gate” begins the Candlemas Hora, a 15-day period from Feb 3 to 18 when the nature of the New Year becomes illuminated and the vital energies of Nature stir to life.”
So it’s a special energy, a special time, and an opportunity as well to strengthen Feminine, right-brain, heart-sync’d gifts like intuition, seeing, visioning, heart-centeredness, and aligning with the Holy Divine and the energies of Life in all.
The Spirit & Origin of Imbolc – Candlemas
Imbolc, Candlemas, and/or Fèill Bhrìghde were some of the names given to this time of year by the Gaelic-Celtic ancestors, as they marked the midpoint between the Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox, and later is was called Candlemas (or Fèill Brìghde).

Other cultures and traditions celebrated and honored the turning of the Seasonal wheel by other names.
I feel a special affinity for this time of year, since I was born at Imbolc-Candlemas, with Sirius and Orion visible in the Winter night sky.
For some of our ancestors, that reminder of coming Spring (and fading Winter) was a pretty big deal, in a region where it got plenty cold, and a time when there wasn’t the ease of electricity, central heating, a gas stove and electric fridge, or a chock-full grocery store.
Yet it’s truly relevant in our high-tech times, too, where ‘modern conveniences’ and a ‘sense of urgency’ abound, but people are more depressed, anxious, and isolated than ever (despite being constantly ‘plugged in’), and a genuine sense of meaning and purpose are more confused than ever.
The name, Imbolc, referred to ‘in the belly’ — that which is born in the Spring is ‘in the belly’, gestating, readying itself for birth, whether Spring lambs or Spring itself.

This was Bhrìghde’s time, too, both the Goddess and the Celtic-Christian Saint (Brigit, Brighid, Bridget, Bhríde, etc. – see below about name-spelling) of those who celebrated Imbolc.
Working with the Energies of Now
In the beginning of a new calendar year, with Imbolc and the Lunar New Year as well, it’s a perfect time for tuning into and envisioning (or inviting Divine guidance on) what’s ‘in the belly’, and asking:
What’s gestating?
What’s stirring for you?
What has heart, joy, and meaning for you?
What does Life want from you this year? (Hint: Those are the ‘sweet spot’ clues!)
To tap into the Holy Magic of the season, align with the energies of the season and of Bhrìghde Herself.

To stir soul and ancestral spirit of Imbolc, peruse Bhrìghde and her “habit of the wildest bounty,” and the story of my own challenge of kindling my own ancestral connection to Bhrìghde, both in terms of my Gaelic-Celt ancestors generally and to Clan Douglas or Dubh Glais as well, for whom Bhrìghde was the patron saint.
Wisdom Apprentices and coaching clients also have access to several audio workshops on the Bhrìghde Mysteries, as well as an abundant garden of other audio-workshops on the Black Madonna, Cerridwen and her Creative Cauldron, the Goddesses of No Fear, and others to stir into the Mysteries and gifts of the deep, rich Feminine.
ENERGIES OF NOW …. AND SOON
In recent years, we’ve seen the generational (and powerful) shifting macro-energies marked by meetings between Uranus and Pluto, and the Neptune and Chiron in Pisces getting activation from Saturn in Sagittarius.
These are most stirring (or activating) for those with cardinal and mutable astro-chart placements (which mean “parts of who you be!”).

Generational soul-groups getting lit up:
Mid-Sixities-born Generation X ‘Phoenixers‘ and mid-Seventies-born folk with A Whole Lot of Libra (a cardinal sign) … and you if you’ve got strong placements in the cardinal or mutable zones.
See this post for more on key ‘life milestones’ affecting generational soul groups:
Life Milestone Cycles & Big Energy Activations Underway
To clarify and activate your role in these times, as a Wise Guide or Keeper of the Flame in these wild, transformative times, have a look at the current featured offerings or send me an email (info ‘at’ sophias-children ‘dot’ com).
Wishing you a wellspring of inspiration and creativity, and a bounty of well-being, in this Month of Bhrìghde and through the coming year.
Big Love,
Jamie
* There are various spellings for Bhrìghde – this one from the Scottish Gaelic and pronounced Breed-jhuh. Other common spellings include Brighid, Bridget, Brigid, Brigit, and so on.
February 2, 2014 at 1:41 am
Thank you Jamie for your article, and all your other posts related to this ;). It’s great that you have looked so deeply into Imbolc and Bhrigdhe, and have explored the earlier wisdom of your ancestors. I’m not very excited either about what the early Christian Bishops did to truncate the Goddess,and the division and ignorance that this has created over time! As my name is Bridget I have felt a special kinship with Bhrigdhe and Imbolc – although it is the opposite down under- I still feel this time of year to be a time of inner reflection.. Those Black Madonna themes run in my life too, where I am often called to help out the underdog, and to go to places that no one is willing to go to, in order to bring those phobias/repressions/shadows to light. I am often criticised and chastised for the transformations that I initiate, and then others get the recognition for my work! It is not an easy life path! Yet, I am blessed with great creativity, vision and purpose. I have an exact Pluto/Uranus conjunction in 8th house with an Aquarius rising!
February 5, 2014 at 3:07 pm
Greetings, Bridget! Many thanks for your message and sharing some of your experiences as a fellow Bridgidian (is that a word? I guess it is now!) and also that Uranus-Pluto conjunction and 8th house vibe. Kindred spirit, indeed! And yes, an agent or catalyst of transformation. I very much understand and empathize with the experience you’ve had being a ‘transformation agent’ – it isn’t always (or even often) recognized, sometimes (maybe often) others take/receive credit for things you’ve initiated, and, well, many don’t welcome transformation catalysts, however much the transformation might be needed or ‘Divined’! We find some comfort in finding and being in touch with kindred spirits … other ‘frequency bringers’ and transformation agents on the Way. So delighted that you introduced yourself! Big Love, Jamie
February 6, 2014 at 1:08 am
Hi Jamie,
Am glad that you unplugged during Imbolc and your Solar Return. Happy Birthday to you! Did you have a nice time? Now, you can use those seeds of inspiration to birth great things. Fantastic! I found that my Imbolc helped me focus on the formatting of my short story Hector’s Hidden Treasure! It will take the form of a graphic novel, and will be very experimental, so I’m quite excited! I also have a balsamic moon in 8th house, and my Venus/Neptune/Mars conjunct in my 10th house Scorpio, adding to that transformation agent theme we spoke of earlier. Even though I am rarely recognised for the pioneering work, I do, as you rightly said, “many don’t welcome transformation catalysts”, it is always interesting to know that some time down the track they take our information, insights and knowledge and then do something with it. I know within my heart that I’ve initiated change for the better, and that gives me solace. I’ve accepted that my life path is a lonely one, as this gives me plenty of time for my studies and creative pursuits, whereby I can develop myself and be a channel for others still in the darkness. Blessing, or curse? I think I’d rather focus on the blessing! ha ha ha…:) You may like my poem Lion Heart, where I make light of a heavy topic! http://bridgetcameron.com/2013/10/30/124/#comments
blessings to you, and great to have met you, love, Bridget 🙂
February 18, 2014 at 7:35 pm
Greetings, Bridget. I hope that your emerging project, Hector’s Hidden Treasure, is coming along well, nourished by the wisdom and insight of Imbolc! Mmm, moon in the 8th and the trilogy of conjunctions in Scorpy 10th. Yes, those would likely be markers of transformation agency, and perhaps also ‘hidden’ work (like it or not, right?).
Do you know your Human Design profile? There are elements of the ‘lack of recognition’ in the Projector Profile (I could write more about that), but it’s also an evolutionary issue with Cancer North Node, Capricorn South Nodes (speaking from experience on both!).
That said, many of us who are true transformation agents, frequency bringers, ‘volunteer souls’, etc. have this experience around recognition (like Sophia shouting in the marketplace, but only few recognize Her) and being far-from-tribe or kindreds (aka the isolation, loneliness … I’ve just been hearing from another person about this!). Spiritual warrior mode, for sure, and you’re so right – choosing our perception focus and lens is both a discipline and a big help.
Thank you for sharing your Lion Heart poem!
Big Love,
Jamie
Feel free to email me directly (jwalters at ivysea dot com) if you would prefer the less public sharing of details, speaking of 8th house and Scorpitude. 😉
January 30, 2015 at 6:04 pm
Reblogged this on Sophia's Children and commented:
‘Tis the time and the Season, so here’s some updated Imbolc-Candlemas inspiration to take you into this deeply creative, deeply Feminine time of the year.
Big Love,
Jamie
February 1, 2015 at 4:37 pm
Hi Jamie — This was most instructive. I have little awareness of this point on the Celtic calendar. My husband’s birthday comes on February 6th and his inward focus seems to resonate with this deep intuitive nature of the Divine Feminine. It was also interesting to learn that the nature of the year is revealed at this time (Chinese New Year?) I connected a few more important dots while reading this. Thank you so much for sharing, Alia
February 1, 2015 at 5:09 pm
So glad you enjoyed it, Alia, and an early happy birthday to your Aquarian husband. That’s such a beautiful way of expressing it … that the nature of the year is revealed at this time. Though I defer to others for knowledge about the Chinese New Year, I know it syncs with the second Aquarian new moon later this month, and we enter the year of the Sheep. What will the essence be? 🙂 Imbolc-Candlemas Blessings! Love, Jamie
February 3, 2016 at 6:53 pm
Hi there, Chinese New Year – Feb 8, 2016 with the New Moon, year of the fire monkey http://www.chinesefortunecalendar.com/2016.htm
That always feels more like new year to me than end of December, which feels more like good hibernation time! I wonder if we collectively return to that calendar more aligned with Nature what things would look like….xxo, Dayna
February 3, 2016 at 6:57 pm
True enough, Dayna … it’s kind of the ‘dark moon’ of my year (the end of year holidays, January). And the year of the Fire Monkey … that has a certain humor energy to me. 🙂 Being more in sync with the body wisdom and Nature … natural rhythm … would likely be a good thing for a whole lot of reasons in this culture! (See you soon in email!). xoxo to you and Jack. Jamie
February 3, 2016 at 6:51 pm
Thank you for an illuminating post about my ascendant time and your birthday time. Happy Solar Return Jamie! ( sorry I am 1 day late)
It is interesting that I have an old friend who shares your birthday. She is the artist Caryn whose art I have featured on the blog. You guys were born exactly 1 year apart. I love the belly reference since that is where I tend to have most of my health issues. This info will spark tons of insights of which I am certain.
Thanks again for taking the time and care to research all this old wisdom and distill it for us here. I am very much enjoying our growing connection and I blessed to have you in my circle.
Blessed be at this moment and for every moment thereafter.
love and joy,
Linda
February 3, 2016 at 7:02 pm
Thanks, Linda. My pleasure on delving into the old wisdom and passing along the insights and distillations. Part of the purpose, as well as my pleasure (I guess that’d sync with Frederick Buechner’s comment about where our joy meets the world’s need, etc.!). Plus my Part of Fortune is … ta da! … at the ‘Ancestral Tree’ Sabian symbol. 🙂 Gotta love that.
On the stomach thing, one thing I’ve noticed is that many empathic people get activated in the solar plexus energy center. The belly and throat centers also come up in Sufi teachings (primary areas where the muck wafts in!).
Happy birthday to your friend Caryn, too. I had a nice catch-up yesterday morning with an “Aquarian Little Brother” who’s a February 1st-born, and a lovely convo this morning with a Feb. 6th Aquarian friend. And you’ve got your Rising ‘Mystery School’ placement there in Aqua Zone. Some nice Aquarian interweavings here. 🙂
Lots of love and Imbolc-week blessings to you, Linda.
Jamie
February 3, 2016 at 7:04 pm
part of fortune at the ancestral tree Sabian Symbol. Talk about on point! 🙂
February 3, 2016 at 7:05 pm
It’s pretty funny how it all works, as I know you can appreciate, too! 🙂
February 19, 2017 at 11:45 pm
Reblogged this on dreamweaver333.
February 21, 2017 at 8:02 pm
… and thank you, again, for sharing this Bhrighde’s Creative Well musing! I appreciate that you resonated with them and shared them as well. Love, Jamie