02/02/2024
Happy Imbolc! Today is half way between the official start of winter and the start of spring.
Some of us call it Groundhog Day, some Imbolc, some St Bridget's Day.
No matter what you call today, even if you have never thought about the symbology, many traditions take today as a day to decide if there will be 6 more weeks of winter, or alternatively, an early spring.
No matter what the groundhog, or Cailleach, decides about how many more weeks of winter there will be, what is most important is to notice how we are feeling about our own inner "wintering." It has been a big year for me personally, and I yearn for more time by the fire, more books to get lost in, and more opportunity to just sit with what appeared in my life this past year.
While personally my body would LOVE more sun and spring like weather, the inner me is not ready to "get up and go." I know that I need more time to simmer in he still semi-dark days of winter.
What about you? It is ok if you want both more sun, and less rushing. Both can be true.
Today is also a day to set some intentions about what else you want to do with your "wintering" time. Are there more books to read, seed catalogs to look over, more time to snuggle up next to your kiddo or animals? We will only ever be at this moment once in our lives. Next year will be different. Savor it (even if you will also savor more sun in the coming weeks)!
Artwork by Annie Louvaine
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Lanie is a healer, weaver and naturalist located in the Back Mountain of PA. She has healing and bodywork practice at Reprieve Muscle Therapy in Dallas, PA. Sessions are fully clothed, include some light touch, some talking and body awareness movements. Check out innerresiliencehealing.com for more information on what she does.