I love the beginning of February. Never really knowing why it always had such a big influence on me; until I started looking at some of my ancestral wisdom.
But many years prior to tapping into my Celtic roots I took a Feng Shui Bagua course and loved how this ancient Chinese system wove together principles of yin and yan, the I-Ching, and the Elements. Inspired by nature; not just on earth but in the heavens also. The Bagua is based on living in balance with that natural world above and below.
I would start spring cleaning my space shortly after January 1st and as I approached February 4th I had everything cleaned, tidied, sorted, and purged. Ready to look at my compass, Bagua Chart and Flying Stars Forecast for the new year (Feb 4th); I would apply cures in each sector of my home to tap into the most auspicious balance with nature.
There are other earth based cultures that honor the seasons, the turning of the celestial wheel and sound of the heartbeat of the earth. What is it telling us ?
Falling between Yule (Winter Solstice) and Ostara (Spring Equinox) is Imbolc. Celebrated on February 1st, it is one of 4 of the Gaelic Seasonal Festivals. Perhaps this is why I was drawn to the Chinese ancient wisdoms, my own Celtic ancestral voices were speaking to me.
Imbolc is a time of preparation. Preparing for the return of the sun. Preparing for Rebirth. Nature is speaking at this time. Whether you are in the Northern or Southern Hemisphere (celebrated on August 1st). It is the midway point between Winter and Spring.
Here in Canada, winter for me is all about candles, fairy lights, cozy blankets, rest, stacks of books and watching the soil and plants rest and snuggle in too. I hesitate to remove debris and old stalks, or move my planters around. There is a stillness. With the exception of those few leafy greens I have growing in the greenhouse. They have full command of the space and are quite happy to not have to share resources. So I am rewarded with a beautiful harvest to nourish my body.
More than any other time of year there is a magic that happens, shortly after January 1st, I’ll be outside and feel the movement of the sun move through my solar plexus with a barely perceptible whisper that something has changed. The angle has changed, the rays have changed. Something has changed. There is a feeling of excitement and that feeling of – spring cleaning 🙂 That feeling of taking stock of my seed bank and wanting to get my hands in the soil.
That time of cleaning my space. Dusting off those stacks of books, washing my cozy blankets. That goes for my body and mind too. It’s a great time to drink cleansing teas, have cleansing baths and re-evaluate my thoughts and beliefs and how and who I want to be in the world.
Use this time, leading up to Spring Equinox, to cleanse, purge, re-evaluate, listen to the rustlings of nature and the earth, and create your sacred space within and without. Oh ! and wash those blankets and dust the stacks of books.
~~Pause, put your hand on your heart, think of something or someone that fills your heart with love and breathe.
~~Blessings Be~~