IMBOLG BLESSINGS 2022
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February 3 12:51pm PST
(commonly assigned to Feb 1 or 2)
Imbolg (or Oimelc) is the first of the three fertility festivals. Many of our European ancestors celebrated this time of year as the beginning of lambing season, where new potentials were symbolically fed by the lactating ewes (Oimelc means “ewe’s milk”; Imbolg means “in the belly”). Imbolg is a time when the very first signs of new growth show themselves – the promise of renewal and spring to come.
However, it is important to remember Imbolg is actually the midpoint between Yule (Solstice) and Ostara (Equinox). This time of year can be very inspirational and hopeful, but we must remember that there are still six more weeks before the sun’s warmth and light overtake the cold and dark. Snow is still possible and, while some shoots have sprouted, roots won’t be established until spring.
With that in mind, this is a great time to start clearing the way for that new growth. Sweep away any remaining decay that may impede the new growth – both literally (in the garden) and metaphorically (in the Self).
“Thus we banish winter, Thus we welcome spring”
The God at Imbolg
The Sun born to the Goddess at Yule is now gaining his independence in Aquarius – sign of innovation and humanitarianism – and developing towards his roles as consort and father. However, at Imbolg he first takes on the role of Lord of Life representing creation and growth for humanity as a whole. This role is supported by the Aquarius guide – Uranus – who represents both the creator sky god archetype as well as the Prometheus archetype responsible for the creation of humans, and giving them fire. The promethean gift of fire ensures humanity’s literal existence through light, warmth, and food, but also metaphorically as the spark or essence that animates all life… which brings us to the Goddess.
The Goddess at Imbolg
The Earth moves into fiery Leo, home of the Sun – the main source of heat, light, and life here on earth. Shifting from the primordial sign of Cancer into the personal sign of Leo, the Goddess activates the energies of nobility, selfhood, creativity, and fun. Free of the dependent child, the Goddess is able to focus on Self and personal development. As the fire of life is brought to humanity, the divine feminine inspires us to discover our individual selves and honour our inner nobility through creative self-expression.
GIRDLE OF THE GODDESS
In the language of Theodomy, the 12 signs of the zodiac are further divided into 36 primordial energies of the divine feminine, called the Girdle of the Goddess.
At the time of Imbolg, the sun is in the 32nd primordial energy activating Brigid, the Goddess of Inspiration and Creativity. See my BRIGID post for more information.
For a look at the traveller energies at play, please see my post MOVING FORWARD at IMBOLG 2022