Imbolc approaching, spring on its way!
The signs of Spring are here and I am very excited about that. As I said before I love Imbolc with all its hope and potential and I love seeing this out in nature.
Elijah and I went for a walk this morning, to see what we could see, how the land is changing and the flowers are beginning to appear. As you can see, we spotted snowdrops, dog violet, primroses and daffodils. For me the daffodils as captured sum up Imbolc perfectly - bursting with potential…
I also got some photos of Elijah and a well we found. Imbolc is represented by the goddess Bridgid who represents healing, smith craft and poetry. Although she is known as a fire and solar goddess, She is also associated with rivers and often particularly wells.
Throughout Great Britain and Ireland there are many wells named after Brigid. As the story goes, when pools of water appeared without an apparent source, ancient people thought these waters originated from springs the Otherworld – they arose from within the‘oimbelc’, the belly or womb of Mother Earth. It was understood that their waters could impart knowledge and healing. The waters of different wells offered an array of virtues. For example, one might restore sight to the blind or cure diseases of the eyes, one might have the power to bring an individual back from insanity or to cure arthritis, one might make a barren woman fertile.
In Ireland there are at least 15 wells dedicated to St Brigid, albeit there are said to be approximately 3,000 holy wells dotted throughout Ireland itself. The ones dedicated to Brigid are visited on Imbolc and the water drawn from them.
In England, Brighid is one of the primary Goddesses associated with my favourite place across the channel - namely my spiritual home of Glastonbury, and a holy well is dedicated to her. I know any of you have visited Glastonbury and have been disappointed, not able to see beyond the crystal shops and those who choose to frequent the high street, some begging, and some clearly high on drugs, but it is one of those places, like Sark as a student reminded me, that has various layers to it, and the more you rest into the place and trust it, the more it will reveal more of itself (and indeed yourself) to you, so that you begin to see things that you did’t see previously.
Anyway, wells are my current thing and a bit like neolithic stones, Guernsey is gradually revealing more of them to me. It’s a rather magical land this one upon which I am lucky enough to live and many of you too. There are layers here as well, and I am enjoying finding more of them as Elijah and I explore more of this land, and Eben when he’s not at school. Albeit after school today, he got up this tree, fortunately E is with him!
Anyway, enjoy the increasing light, it’s 5pm as I write this and the boys are still outside, it’ll pick up the pace soon and before we know it. it’ll be the spring equinox and we’ll be half way to the longest day. So enjoy every minute of this fabulous shifting energy as Imbolc approaches on Wednesday!
Love Emma x
