Imbolc

The beginning of the earth's awakening to spring, Imbolc is one of my favorite of the pagan observed holidays.

For over a month now, the daylight has been growing incrementally longer, and for a few weeks I have noticed that the local birds are making their spring calls.

Tradition dictates that all of the greens used to decorate for Yule be removed and burned on Imbolc or Candlemas as it is also called. Letting go of the vestiges of winter in order to invite the return of spring.

I have always loved making my own traditions or adapting existing ones to my own liking. And so, here is my version:

Each year I cut paper snowflakes to decorate for the winter holidays. I love the zen experience of creating them - a very focused attention. It is also one of those past times - like knitting - that can be done while you are waiting for a baby to be born, as it is quiet and can easily be put down and taken up again as the situation dictates...

I also love that the symbology is non-denominational and suitable for any of the winter holidays in the Northern hemisphere. I make them at home and at work, and I sometimes get co-workers to become as obsessed as I am with making them! We tape them up on windows and walls, and on occasion have covered the entire L&D unit with them!

My rule has always been that we cannot start cutting until after Thanksgiving, and that they must come down by Imbolc!

So I have spent the last week collecting the snowflakes I have made from the various locations where they have been hanging - my front door, the door to the midwifery office, my clinic, etc.

Once I have collected them all, I burn them - usually outside in the garden.

This year, I will take them to the land where we are building our new home and burn them there as a welcome for spring, and an invitation to the anticipated completion and our moving in.

One thing I have never done before, is take photos of my snowflakes and preserve them in cyberspace... I hope that this does not counter the effects of the magick...