Rising from Deep Rest | immram chara

In honor of the beginning of so many things, I share a fiber art piece that is still in the creative process. I began it last week as I looked toward St. Bride’s Day. The image is a cairn from the Burren on the west coast of Ireland, where Bride and her feast day are particularly honored.

Tomorrow we enter the spring quarter: Imbolc (which is pronounced imm’ ulk by the Irish, slightly differently by other Gaelic speaking groups which may include the “b” as in im’ bolg). The joy of Imbolc is the increasing tempo of burgeoning, the wild exuberance of life pushing up from the rich soil; its danger is that we will rush past the discipline of strengthening roots and stalks, to try to produce full-fledged crops before we can sustain them. So, I invite you to hold the lessons of Samhain a little longer and take your time. Pay attention to the fact that we are awakening in spirit from a form of hibernation and we don’t want to become (emotional and psychological) road kill by crossing busy streets while we are still moving slowly.

We are entering the season of inspiration, new ideas, and increasing activity in which we will be drawing on the deep rest we have (hopefully) experienced during the winter quarter. Unfolding in front of us is the time of the Maiden, when young love rises like the sap in the trees. It is a time to delight in events and people and ideas for their own sake rather than as a means to some end. It is a time to be playful and whimsical.

And finally we will begin to see the dawn arriving earlier, lightening our physical awakening. The morning people among us can celebrate the tilting of the earth toward the sun. For those who experience Seasonal Affective Disorder, there is a return of energy and direction. The seeds that have over-wintered will begin to emerge in our gardens and in our hearts.

If you read the Wednesday Reflections, you will have received a blessing for the release of Samhain and one for the welcome of Imbolc. [Click here if you missed them.]

And I invite you to express gratitude in your own words, as well. Here are some of the things I am adding to my own memory banks

* The beauty of evergreens against snow…and the smell of pine and yew in florist shops.
* The permission to go to sleep with the sun (or much closer to that time).
* The sharp, clean taste of grapefruit – which are truly in season.
* Unwrapping Christmas ornaments and the memories that enfold each one.
* Drinking hot tea and watching the snow fall.
* The long “V”s of Canada Geese sailing south overhead in the twilight.
* The clarity of the air.
* Baking bread (which always feels so rich and fundamental in the winter.)
* Friends gathered around a table in candlelight.

Maybe you have a list, too. Please share it if you are willing. Scroll down the page and leave it in the “reply” section to post as a comment.

May this last day of Samhain be a gossamer place for you.

–Andrea

NOTE: Tomorrow (February 1) is the beginning of Imbolc (the spring quarter). A new piece of fiber art and six new cards will be available on the website and in my Etsy shop. Come see!