17/01/2025
~ QUICKENING THE FIRES OF INSPIRATION ~
Yesterday (16th Jan) the Sun transitioned from the days of Birch into the days of Rowan.
We have observed in the past that the new solar year is born from the Winter Solstice, and that Elen (Birch) can be seen as a ray of sunlight across the land (the word 'elen' means ray of light in Greek, and the Druids used Greek as a trade language - the Druidic symbol of the Awen /|\ is three rays of light, a triple elen).
One of the primary symbols of the goddess Brigid (Rowan) is her eternal flame, goddess of inspiration - the rays of the Awen /|\ are also known as the fiery arrows of Brigid.
So, the Ogham pattern is this - Yew, rebirth of the Sun; Birch, the ray of light across the land; and Rowan, the eternal flame of inspiration.
All this leading to Imbolc, the festival of Brigid, the first day of Spring.
In the Ogham Grove year wheel, the days of Birch span from the 9th degree of Capricorn to the 27th degree of Capricorn - so Elen is completely of the antlered stag (the Celtic equivalent of Capricorn). The days of Rowan span from the 27th degree of Capricorn to the 15th degree of Aquarius - and we are at the dawning of the Age of Aquarius - which belongs to the 'Queen of the Gods' - Hera (Greek), Juno (Roman), Isis (Egyptian), and Brigid/Brigantia (Celtic).
From a Celtic perspective, the Age of Aquarius (the next 2500 years) is the Aeon of Brigid - Aquarius, ever-pouring the healing waters of inspiration into the Middle Cauldrons of all living things. The re-awakened, re-loved, Well Maidens - life-giving waters of the land; flowing joyfully, uncontaminated by pollution.
Both Capricorn and Aquarius are traditionally governed by the planet Saturn - the darkest, densest, coldest, time of the year - but it is in the deep, deep, dark that the light of inspiration, spark of inspiration, is ignited. A light in the dark. Yin giving birth to Yang.
These are the days of the quickening of inspiration, the returning of the Light of the Land, driving to Imbolc, to bring energy into buds and to awaken the new.
The Light in the dark.