Imbolc, Lughnasadh/Lammas Blessings!

Change is afoot as Mother Earth’s cycles morph into Imbolc here in the northern hemisphere and Lughnasadh/Lammas in the southern hemisphere. The cycle of change is a constant throughout the universe the wheel of life is in continuous movement. The more The Light subtley opens us the more opportunity we can reflect and learn about change. Like everything, change has cycles and seasons.

The Celtic Wheel of the Year Calendar with its many festivals and ceremonies becomes a template, always encouraging us back to the heart of Earth Mother.

It is a guide for living in harmony with Nature. It can be used as a tool to assist us in becoming more conscious/aware. It will guide us through the many changes in our seasons and cycles. Helping us to stay attuned with Earth Mothers cycles, rhythms and seasons helping us to become more connected with our many relatives – the elements, the animals, the trees, agriculture, the weather patterns, sowing, planting and nurturing seeds. It reminds us of the sheer majesty of Nature and to be humbled in Her presence honouring and celebrating all She provides and will provide in the coming year.

Until a few years ago I can’t say I was too familiar with the all the festivals of The Wheel of The Year, being part of my Shamanic Drumming circle has introduced me to Imbolc, Lammas and others. We connect with each new cycle and aspects of Earth Mother her deity’s/consorts (her male counterparts) as she transitions around the wheel. It has certainly expanded my connection and understanding of natural cycles.

Some of these Ancient festivals seem to pre-date The Celtic traditions and seem to have been active before canonised religions such as Christianity came into being. Communing with Mother Earth goes beyond religious practices. It is a heart to heart relationship that develops a way of living and interacting with Her where She is placed at the centre of everything in life. In these ancient traditions Mother Earth, is Life, she is everything. There are many other indigenous cultures and practices still in existence to this day, who totally revere Her.

Many say Imbolc is of the Celtic tradition, and others claim it pre-dates the Celts. Imbolc has been and still is celebrated in Ireland alongside St. Brigit’s Day (a candle mass). It has also been celebrated in Scotland, Wales, The Isle of Man and England. I’m sure there are similar festivals around the world that mark this Cycle.

Imbolc is a time of grand celebration and excitement, filled with the promise of new life as new seeds are sewn for the coming year, we are also encouraged to sew our own seeds, of new ideas, projects etc. What is happening with Mother is also happening within us. The Wheel of the Year transitions into the festivals of Imbolc Lughnassadh/Lammas.

Lammas is when what was sewn at Imbolc is now ready to be harvested. These are two of the four cross-quarter days (fire festivals). These are midpoints on The Celtic Wheel of The Year calendar – between Winter and Spring and Summer and Autumn. Other cross-quarter days (fire festivals) are Beltane and Samhain.

Lammas falls on February 1st in the southern hemisphere and August 1st in the northern hemisphere. It is apparently another ancient Celtic festival of harvesting grains, celebrating the efforts that went into the harvest. Lammas ties together the seed planting from Imbolc and propagation during Betaine. This culminates with the promise of Samhain, where the cycle starts over again.

Traditionally Imbolc and all fire festivals begin on the Eve of the festival at sunset through to sunset the following day.

• Imbolc begins this year on Tuesday February 1st and concludes at sunset on Wednesday February 2nd (in the north).
• Lammas is celebrated on the same dates in the south.It is one of the four fire festivals on The Celtic Wheel of The Year.

Ceremonial Fires are lit along with candles and symbolise purification and bringing in the Light to celebrate the transition from the darkness of Winter into the Light, making way for coming Spring. Imbolc is the time to honour the Maiden Goddess Brigid who is the bringer of light and spring. Brigid is the Goddess of Poetry, Healing, Smith-craft, and Midwifery She also tends Sacred Wells and Springs. She is a triple aspect Goddess, so all aspects of The Goddess are being honoured. Imbolc is a time for communing with her and lighting and tending Her sacred flame.

There is a buzz of new life below and above Mothers body at Imbolc, it’s a busy and exciting time that can’t always be seen with physical eyes but can be sensed. When we connect with Earth Mother, we will feel these stirrings of new life energies within our being. As the Light returns (the sun god), it grows in strength each day encouraging Mother to awaken from her winter rest as She has done for aeons. In the North, trees and shrubs are budding, pretty little crocus, and the snowdrops are starting to breakthrough Mother’s winter soil once again. The sound of bleating lambs will be heard soon. Increased bird song fills the air and soon they will be nesting preparing for their chicks.

Becoming more conscious can encourage us in becoming more responsible for taking small steps to improve where we can. Becoming more aware of how to become involved, for example, in couscous projects and initiatives to make a difference. That doesn’t necessarily mean taking part in radical mass demonstrations. To be honest in my own experience of them, they are not as effective as people may think. Small groups working towards a collective goal is much more effective.

As I have been exploring these different cycles, and festivals of The Celtic Wheel of The Year, and other traditional cultures across the world what is clear is our ancestors were part of communities that were in deep connection with natural cycles of nature and could identify where Nature’s cycles impacted them – physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. We can learn so much from these cultures and the natures cycles that can aid us in understanding more about ourselves, not only physical beings but us subtle spiritual beings encountering a physical experience.

As we continue to be filled with Light, it feeds and nurtures us but it won’t do everything for us, we have to take the steps to connect with Earth Mother. The Light is a powerful yet subtle tool to assist our connection, uplifting, motivating and inspiring us.

There are so many layers to the Light that are not always obvious, we have to become quiet and connect inwardly, then things start to reveal themselves. In doing this we will start to feel the Light merging more with The Consciousness of Earth Mother within our hearts, for this is where The Mother/The Light co-exist together. This is where we begin our union, all we have to do is go within and connect. The Light we are merged with is both Male and Female, God and Goddess. In the Light all is One, all is United. As humans in our state of separation we have a strong need for identity and therefore we find difficulty with Oneness.

There is so much opportunity in our Community to learn and grow and share together as we move through these inner cycles.

I wish you many blessings for Imbolc and Lammas.

Enjoy Cycle.

Much Love,
Loraine