Imbolc Garden Planning Moon
On the Great Wheel we have moved past winter now and have arrived in a season dedicated to Brigid, the triple goddess of smith, hearth and poetry. Her fiery inspiration fills the kitchen, the world of artisanry and of the poet.
Her fertile presence in the world is also reflected in the name of this cross-quarter season, Imbolc, or in-the-belly. In Ireland of old this was the season when the ewes became pregnant, that is, had a lamb in-the-belly. This meant the ewes freshened and could be milked.
(see more of Wendy’s work at paintingdreams)
After a season of bleakness and no growth fresh milk and the cheese made from it would have added a lot to the diet, protein and calcium in particular, and done it with no need to diminish stores or kill an animal. This was a seasonal miracle.
In our time we can walk or ride to the grocery store and pick up a half gallon of milk in any season. Imagine what it would have been like to have had only stored vegetables, probably a lot of porridge made from whatever was still left in the root cellar or pantry, and then, suddenly, to have fresh milk. And cheese.
A glorious thing, I’m sure.
Today we might look in our pantry and check what’s almost gone. That is, what in your life has gone out of supply. Energy? Love? Imagination? Motivation? Friends? Family. Consider those the result of a fallow time, a winter of emotional or relational resources. We all have them at different times and in different seasons of our life.
Look, then, for the new milk. What’s quickening in your life? Perhaps a new project. A new friend. Maybe a child. Could be a feeling of confidence, of new direction.
What do you need, after the fresh milk has invigorated you to bring your little one into the world? More time to devote to it. More affection to bestow. More time with yourself for ideas to emerge? More time with family and friends to allow your relational life to blossom?
Whatever it is, Brigid is the goddess who represents the creative force necessary to freshen your life. You might look at her and what she means. Google Brigid. There are lots of articles. Don’t get into the ontological question. Look at how a presence like Brigid might move into your life and give you new perspectives, new images, new paths.
Open yourself to the things you need to have a fruitful and productive new year. The season awaits.
