It's that magical thin-time of the year again, so here's some refreshed Imbolc-Candlemas inspiration to take you into this deeply creative, deeply Yin-Feminine time of the year. Imbolc-Candlemas is celebrated during the first few days of February, and the exact-point... Continue Reading →
"There is mystery at the heart of what holds us together, expressed in shared symbols, stories and experiences." ~ Brigidine Sisters On the last eve of January, we enter into the Mysteries of Imbolc, Candlemas, or Lá Fhéile Bhrìghde. As... Continue Reading →
"There is mystery at the heart of what holds us together, expressed in shared symbols, stories and experiences." ~ Brigidine Sisters We enter into the Mysteries of Imbolc, Candlemas, or Fèill Bhrìghde. As I've mentioned in previous musings, Imbolc-Candlemas has... Continue Reading →
New Solar Year. New Lunar Year. New Moon. New vision. New beginnings. New adventures. New mindset.
Any time we begin anew -- or want (or need) to stir new inspiration and meaning into what's already underway -- it's a fine time to invoke our Muses.
This Sophia's Children article explores the tradition of the Muses of Inspiration, and how we might connect with our own Muse ... or Muse Posse!
You'll even find clues about how to spot the Muses in your astrology chart (which itself is a clue-map from a long-running wisdom tradition!).
There is deep wisdom in aligning with the energy and spirit of the season ... of Nature's rhythms, with which are bodies are strongly evolved to orient towards (or suffer from the cultural dissociation with Natural rhythms!).
There's also a wisdom and mythic quality associated with Imbolc, and other important archetypal energies and milestones as the wheel of the year turns.
What inspiration and deep restoration awaits you at this time of the year ... or any time that Imbolc-Bhrigdhe wisdom might spark the fires of inspiration within you?
Imbolc-Candlemas is celebrated during the first few days of February, and the exact-point occurs when the Sun is at 15 degrees of Aquarius — February 3rd this year (check your own time zone for any variations).
Imbolc-Candlemas also initiates whatthe 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.”
Lady of Częstochowa, another well-known Black Madonna located at the Jasna Góra Monastery in Częstochowa, Poland. Read the ‘Rilke & the Black Madonna’ post to learn more of her significance.
Read on to stir your Divine Spark —and the Wise Guide and Keeper of the Flame that you may be, in your unique way and presence — in sync with the meaning of this season.
If you’re in the Southern Hemisphere, you’ll be at the midpoint of Summer Solstice and Autumn Equinox, which is Lughnasadh. You can read about that here.
Even if you’re in Lughnasadh time, if you’ve got interests in the deep Feminine,the Black Madonna, and the associated gifts of deeper and awakening Wisdom, you’ll enjoy the Imbolc-Candlemas post for those goodies.
For additional clues and insights on your role for these times,have a look at the current featured offerings or send me an email (info ‘at’ sophias-children ‘dot’ com).
Featured Image Credit: Aqua Sulis, Bath, England. Photo by your Sophia’s Children creatrix, Jamie Walters (that’d be me!). Link here if you use it, please.
In the Orchard (1912) by Franz Dvorak. Public domain image courtesy of Wikimedia.
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Magdalene with the Smoking Mirror, Georges De La Tour, 1640
We enter into the Mysteries of Imbolc, Candlemas, or Fèill Bhrìghde.
Imbolc or Fèill Bhrìghdewere 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…
I originally wrote a version of this post in May 2012, about the Virgoan qualities of the Feminine, and had a strong intuitive nudge that it was time for an update. She speaks. Her medicine must be needed even more right... Continue Reading →
There is a concentrated energy of new beginnings at the moment, with the five-element theme making a big shift from water to fire. Regeneration is one of several key 'fire themes' of this coming year -- think 'Phoenix', the beautiful... Continue Reading →
Initially written in 2013, and updated in 2018 It's Thanksgiving week here in the United States, though the underlying meaning can be summoned up at any time, in any place. Of course, I'm thinking about the soon-to-be-feasted-upon turkey, stuffing, gravy,... Continue Reading →
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... Continue Reading →
Happy Lughnasa-Lammas! Technically, the 'exact' time for this ancestral 'Festival of Light & Harvest' is when the Sun reaches 15 degrees of Leo -- August 7th this year. But the traditional calendar time is the first several days of August,... Continue Reading →
Magdalene with the Smoking Mirror, Georges De La Tour, 1640 
