Joseph Campbell believed that the mythic stories draw us into accord with nature. We tend to forget that we are still animals on a fragile planet. The tales remind us of our place in the natural order.
The oral tradition had rich reflections on the changes of the season. In the Celtic calendar, the first of the four fire festivals of the year is Imbolc. It is celebrated on the second day of February.
The divinity acknowledged in these early Spring rites is the goddess Brigid, the queen of heaven. She is the greatest of the Celtic divinities and is closely associated with the land. She is the protector of the wells and springs. She is the guardian of nature, and therefore agriculture. She is specifically associated with livestock. As a fertility goddess, Brigid is also the patron of the poets, artists, and others who create. Hence, her name is invoked at childbith.
When Brigid slipped into the world, a tower of flame rose from the top of her head to the heavens. Her fire aspect means she is the goddess of the hearth, and the forge. She is the guardian of those who worked with metal. By extension, she is the goddess of the machine. If we have difficulties with our cars or computers, our pleas for divine intercession might be properly addressed to Brigid.
The various historical details have contemporary psychological implications. We can think of the deities as symbols of inner mystery. If we ponder the images in the stories as if they had appeared in our dreams, we will discover many valuable insights. Joseph Campbell thought myths were much like dreams. Guidance through life's difficulties could be drawn from their symbolism.
The symbolism of wells and springs reflects the connection to the waters of life that emrege from unseen sources. In psychological terms, this could signify the wisdom of the unconscious that flows from mysterious origins. The key is developing a practice of receptivity. For example, contemplating our dreams can open us to an awarenss greater than our conscious knowing.
Brigid's protection of agriculture and poetry underscores the need to tend our inner fertility. Tending our forms of creativity is crucial to a fulfilling life. The ancients believed that gifts of expression were only on loan. We are reminded to remain grateful, and to be good custodians of artistic talents.
Her association with fire also pertains to the creative life. Finding passion in our work is a major achievement. Handling our energies well requires maturity. It takes effort to find a balance where we have vitality without being consumed.
The plume of fire radiating from her head connects her to the life of the mind. She is the patron of scholars and colleges. One implication is that learning is a form of service to the divinities. She is also the protector of travelers. This applies to both those who explore new terrains and those seekers who are on inner journeys.
Brigid is said to have invented the fervent Irish nourning wail called keening. Part of her presence resides in the faerie spirit whose keening can be heard at night in times of grief. This link reminds us to respect our losses. Experiences of renewal often include bereavement. We continually suffer losses, especially in the moments of passage. Claiming our wholesness includes valuing the sorrow for that which is no more.
One traditional practice on her day was to put baked goods out on the doorstep. They were called cakes for the queen of heaven. These offerings were often eaten by hungry travelers in her name. We might honor this custom by giving money to the homeless for something to eat on Imbolc. The idea is to find a way to share the boon. Those who have been blessed in life are called upon to develop some practice of service to others.
Down through the years, mythic stories continue to enchant. On close inspection, the images have much to say about modern life. Joseph Campbell said the ability to see the metaphors in the old tales opens us to the richness of everything around us. The whole world turns into a holy picture. We can become aware of a dimension of significance in the ordinary that is nothing short of radiant.
So let us honor the Great Mother, the Queen of Heaven. May we be open to her many gifts of inspiration in the season of renewel.
Imbolc and Self-Dedication
by Wyldrose
In the old calendar system, Imbolc, St Brigid’s day marked the first day of Spring. In Ireland which still uses the old colander dates, this still marks this as the beginning of spring. This was the time of the year when farmers prepared for new birth of their animals and indeed Imbolc is sometimes called ‘First Milk.’ With the birth of the new and the preparing of gardens and fields for planting came the task of deciding what to grow and what to nurture.
Because of this time of beginning and the understanding that one had to nurture crops and animals to prepare for the next winter came the internal understanding that was a time for beginnings. In the past, in Wicca, this was the time of either initiation or self-dedication.
There is a difference between initiation and self-dedication. Initiation implies that you are initiated into an existing tradition in the manner that all others of the group have become initiated. Self-dedication on the other hand is a personal vow to study or dedicate oneself to learning about the goddess/god. Self-dedication can also be in the form of creating a certain style of art, poetry, craft or music sacred to a certain god or goddess. In some cases people dedicate their services such as volunteering so many hours a week in service to the Lord and Lady. Most often though a self dedication is seen as vow or promise to study in earnest for a set period of time and/or to announce one’s dedication to a certain mythos or path.
Self dedication can either be an elaborate ritual where a person announces ones intentions to the group as a whole (usually a year and a day) or it is a private ceremony where the person announces only the gods their intentions.
Often a circle is left open after Imbolc for a time for people who wish to, can do their self-dedications. Sometimes people ask to speak during the ceremony and they may read a prepared statement indicating their self-dedication.
Often a self-dedication can involve a sacrifice. Normally this is the form of flowers (or a single flower) for the altar. Other times it can involve the making of a certain piece of artwork that can then be used to represent the vow to the petionner. A friend of mine always thought he should make a blood offering so he would go within the week and donate blood to the Red Cross. Other folks will sometimes volunteer and plant a small god or goddess garden or would promise to volunteer a certain number of hours during each month of the year helping others. When I was much younger and very broke, I used to volunteer my time cleaning the altar area and working on the church newsletter. Some folks would volunteer to stay later and help clean up kitchen after large events.
A self dedication can be a simple private prayer or it can involve writing a statement that is read either alone or in front of others. It can also involve the lighting of a special (long burning) candle that can be latter taken home and lit when the student is studying during the year. Other folks might use a piece of jewelry to show their dedication (such as a small crystal or pentagram) and wear the jewelry for a set period of time or until their year and day are over. In my opinion, the best self-dedications involve fore-thought and planning. My personal self-dedication was read in front of a large group. I do not feel this is necessary. More important is that the petitioner put thought into what they want and how they wish to accomplish this.
W E A R E T H E W E A V E R S W E A R E T H E W E B
VOLUME 1 ISSUE 2 FEBRUARY 2007 Imbolc NEWSLETTER
Prayer Bundle
Personal & Planetary Healing
Materials to have on hand for each participant:\
*An approximately 4" x 4" square of blue cotton material (or cotton mix)
*A 15" (or longer) strand of blue or red yarn.
*3 pinches of cornmeal
*A slip of paper
*A feather
Each person should also have their own gifts for the spirit of the West, (which is related to inner knowing, emotions, right brain functions). These can be natural or personal objects such as a very special shell, crystal, piece of wood or jewelry, and so on.
To quote the East Cherokee source for most of the bundle instructions, "Remember, you're asking the spirit of that direction for catalyzing help; so don't be "stingy" about your gift or gifts. What you put out, you recieve in return.
Making the Prayer Bundle
1. Light your incense and candle, and, facing the West, call on Native Guides and Spirits, which may include for this ceremony Grandmother Deer, Grandmother Medicine Bear, and the Great Spirit, as well as your own favorites.
2. On a slip of paper, concentrate fully as you write a decree to the effect that:
"Love is working in me and in my world to tip the balance towards peace and unity in my awareness and affairs. Love is now at work in every inhabitant of Earth to tip the balance towards peace and unity in all nations and between all nations now."
3. Wrap your prayer slip, gifts and three pinches of cornmeal in the piece of blue cloth and ite closed, with your feather on the outside (to take your prayers flying), with a piece of yarn.
4. Give thanks that the guides and spirits are assisting you and all beings in releasing any tendency towards guilt or blame, and that they and the Great Spirit are now moving in your consciousness and in all creation to express loving, peace-filled outcomes now.
5. Take your prayer bundle to the most natural woodsy or bushy area you can find, and after requesting permission to do so from yor favorite leafy friend, tie it to a branch on the west side.
Imbolc or Candlemas is a time of new beginnings, a time when the first stirrings of life are felt and seen. At Imbolc, we notice the first signs of spring with longer days and warmer temperatures, even though winter blasts are still likely in the Northern Hemisphere. New life begins to stir beneath the Earth's surface. Hope is renewed.
Here in the Ozark Mountains I’ve seen bushes flowering already through the ice and snow… a true sign that that life will always find a way to triumph over adversity.
This is a time to meditate upon what you would like to see grow in health and strength this year: for yourself, your family, your community, and the Earth. It’s a time to ask for the blessing of the Earth Mother and Great Spirit Father upon your prayers.
How Can I Celebrate?
For the Solitary Practitioner:
* Write down the names of the people you’d like to see healthy and prosperous this year.
* Next to each name, write down 5 positive things about them.
* Affirm that each will achieve their dreams and grow more healthy, happy and prosperous this year!
* Plant these positive thoughts in fertile ground – even if you have to dig through the snow to find some!
In a group circle:
Have each person write their name at the top of a piece of paper, then pass your paper to the person on your left. Write a positive comment about the person, and pass it on to the next person on your left. Continue doing this until you finally have your own paper back.
Watch the light return in each one’s eyes as they read all the positive comments!!
Have you given thought to the new beginnings you want this year?
During the Candlemas ritual is a good time to write them down and then set the paper to flame to carry your thoughts into the mental world.
Watch the paper burn for a quick look into the future manifestation of this desire.
Does it burn with a strong flame? Does the light last a long time?
Or does it flare up and burn out quickly?
New beginnings take some thought. A bright new future takes some planning. Everything that IS was first a thought. That which you focus upon expands and grows.
Where is your attention focused?
Lightening The Soul
Soul Evolution
From the moment we are born, our souls may feel heavy because they are carrying the weight of all we have lived, loved, and learned in our past incarnations. It is only when we actively seek to work through our issues that we can lighten the load and our souls can evolve. Divesting ourselves of what no longer serves us, such as unwarranted fear, the inability to feel empathy, or self-limiting behaviors, are just some of the many challenges we may face in this lifetime. While some issues we face are easier to deal with because they are the final remains of residue from a past life, other issues offer greater challenges because we are meant to work through them throughout this lifetime.
Often, we expect ourselves to recover quickly from difficult or painful circumstances. When we do not or cannot, we may feel emotionally inept or hopeless. The evolution of the soul, however, is an ongoing process that can take many lifetimes. It is a matter of accepting that even when we do our best there are going to be situations, people, and outcomes that we cannot control. It is also important to remember that your experiences now may be setting the groundwork for future healing-whether in this lifetime or the next one. The more you release in each time, the more you grow and the more your soul will evolve.
Although it is not always possible to work through all of our issues in a single lifetime, it is important that we confront what we are called to face in this life and do the work we need to do. It is also important to remember that the most effective way to let your soul grow is to be an active participant in life. Be present in each moment and your soul will do this work for you.
More often than not, I am mindful of the season in progress and it's celebrations by the events and happenings of life on the farm.
This season is a time of new beginnings and with the calving of our cows it is a perfect reminder. Yes, even in these sub-zero temperatures, it is a time of new life and it brings excitement and prospects for springtime and all that is promises.
Even if you don't live on a farm where life is a constant cycle of living and experiencing the season, you can create mindful activities in so many ways. Here are a few ideas to attune yourself and your family in celebration of the Earth's Cycles and season.
This is a perfect time to plan a garden. Even a small patio garden will provide the much needed spark in this time of winter and cold. Get out the seed catalogues or search online.
Start a new project. Learn a new skill. This is the time of year that I decide what I would like to add to my knowledge of herbalism or animal husbandry. What have you always wanted to learn? Check out your Community Education newsletter. Maybe something there will peak your interest.
Embrace this time of year with goals and ambitions and renewed interest of something you've put on the back burner. Feel the stirrings...of something new and exciting in the not so far future.
Blessings,
Teralyn
Transmutation—Making Changes
We are born into this life with a certain set of weaknesses to overcome and a certain set of strengths to acquire, and the circumstances of our lives are such to teach us these things about ourselves.
We grow by learning through trial and error to repeat those thoughts and actions that are rewarded or to make other choices when we feel punished by the results. This is the Great Spirits Law of Cause and Effect in action. We change for the better when we choose those thoughts and actions that are rewarded. We improve our character by being aware of the lessons that life teaches us through the circumstances of our lives.
Change is a necessary part of growing. Without change there can be no spiritual growth. Only with spiritual growth can we gro closer to the Great Spirit and Holy Earth Mother and thereby allow their Power to flow through us to work our magic more effectively. The more we come to know ourselve,s the more we come to know Spirit, and the more we find our way to the Source of creative power.
Do you welcome challenges in your life as opportunities for growth? Do you think of them as puzzles to be figured out and put together?
"If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change," says Dr. Wayne Dyer in his book "Real Magic.
"My teacher, Father Eli, was fond of saying: "No problems, no thinking -- No thinking, no learning."
How do you view the challenges in your life? Are you ready for the opportunities life gives you? Are you willing to try something new? Are you able to accept change when you find a way that works better?
