Blessed Imbolc

Shh, listen. Can you hear it? A stirring deep within the Earth, hushed, nearly imperceptible.

From the belly of the Mother, new life pushes forth at the Imbolc cross-quarter gateway. In the depths of the Earth womb, beneath snow and ice, natural cycles of creation are silently at work. New life is gestating. Rebirth is at hand.

The ancient Sabbat of Imbolc marks the seasonal turning from winter toward spring in the northern hemisphere. The days grow noticeably longer, and signs of spring begin to emerge from the ground. The promise of rebirth and renewal is fulfilled. South of the equator, this is the Lammas cross-quarter, with the Sun's light beginning to recede as autumn approaches.

February 2 is the traditional date of Imbolc. The festival was Christianized as Candlemas, when the candles to be used in the Catholic Church in the coming year are blessed. In North America, February 2 is Groundhog Day. The groundhog tells us when spring will come, based on whether he sees his shadow.

Traditional Imbolc on February 2 coincides this year with a revolutionary New Moon featuring five planets in Aquarius and a highly-charged aspect between Venus and Uranus. Details in my blog post here: http://starpriestess.blogspot.com/2011/02/feast-of-love.html

Zodiacal Imbolc falls on February 3 as the Sun crosses 15 degrees Aquarius. This is the mid-point between Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox. Imbolc is one of the four “cross-quarters" traditionally celebrated as Sabbats in pagan traditions. Like the solstices and equinoxes, the effects of the cross-quarters are felt for three days, so the gateway is February 2-4.

“Imbolc” means “in the belly.” In Celtic tradition, this Sabbat is the festival of the Goddess Brighid, who relates to the Corn Maiden in Native American tradition. Both goddess archetypes symbolize the potential of new life within the Earth, within the human female form, and within the feminine aspect of all beings, male and female. Imbolc reminds us of our powers of creation.


The Sabbat

Traditionally we celebrate the Sabbats with ritual, consciously creating with intent as we move toward the birthing at the Spring Equinox on March 20. Progress may seem slow on the surface. Trust that new life is sprouting on inner levels, just as the tiny seeds of spring are beginning to germinate deep within the belly of Mother Earth.

The cosmos gives the green light for new projects, travel and adventure when the Sun enters active Aries at the Vernal Equinox on March 20. This year, Imbolc heralds the beginning of the ninth and final underworld of the Mayan calendar (March 9) and the advent of Uranus' re-entry into Aries (March 11) as he closes in on seven exact squares to powerhouse Pluto in 2012-2015.

Soon, hibernation will be over. The Sun warms our bodies and kisses the Earth. The sights and sounds and smells of a wondrous creation fill our senses. Spring is life on Earth. A new you blossoms, as a flower opening to the sky.



Galactic Awakening
A Tele-Gathering Celebrating Imbolc and the New Moon
February 2, 2011
Details: http://galacticawakening.blogspot.com

You're invited to join others around the world in sacred circle on the evening of the Aquarius New Moon and the beginning of the Imbolc cross-quarter.

In this special teleconference gathering, you'll learn more about the tradition of Imbolc, share your experiences with others consciously weaving the galactic energies of the solar year, and co-create ritual in alignment with the sacred gateway.

It is my honor and privilege to introduce you to the creatrix and facilitator of this circle of empowerment, Leah McCullough.

When Leah and I met a half-dozen years ago, we immediately recognized each other. It was a reunion of souls, the fulfillment of a sacred contract. Our paths have intertwined through the ages. We had called each other in.

Since then, Leah has studied with me and supported me in circle, in preparation for her role leading groups. A natural intuitive, priestess initiate, budding astrologer, devoted wife and mother of precious twin star babies, Leah is a remarkable talent, wise beyond her years, heart-centered and dedicated to the awakening of higher consciousness on Earth.

I am pleased to invite you to join Leah for the birthing of her latest creation, Galactic Awakening, which she'll initiate February 2 and continue on the cross-quarters and Summer Solstice.

Details: http://galacticawakening.blogspot.com

A blessed Imbolc to all.


Aquarius New Moon

http://starpriestess.blogspot.com/2011/02/feast-of-love.html


Copyright 2011 Allison Rae/StarPriestess.com All rights reserved

Blessed Imbolc

Listen. There's a stirring deep within the Earth, hushed, nearly imperceptible.

From the belly of the Mother, new life pushes forth at the Imbolc cross-quarter gateway. In the depths of the Earth womb, beneath snow and ice, natural cycles of creation are silently at work. New life is gestating. Rebirth is at hand.

The ancient Sabbat of Imbolc marks the seasonal turning point from winter toward spring in the northern hemisphere. The days grow noticeably longer, and signs of spring begin to emerge from the ground. The promise of rebirth and renewal is fulfilled. South of the equator, the Sun's light begins to recede as autumn approaches. This is the Lammas cross-quarter in the southern hemisphere.

February 2 is the traditional date of Imbolc. The festival was Christianized as Candlemas, when the candles to be used in the Catholic Church in the coming year are blessed.

In America, February 2 is Groundhog Day. The groundhog predicts when spring will come as he pokes his head out to see his shadow, or not. This squirrel-like creature burrows deep within the Earth, the realm of shamams and mystics. Deep meditation unlocks secrets of Great Mystery at this special time.

Zodiacal Imbolc falls on February 3 as the Sun crosses 15 degrees Aquarius, the the mid-point between Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox. Imbolc is one of the four “cross-quarters” of the year known as Greater Sabbats because they’re considered to be the most powerful Sun-Earth alignments of the solar year. The better known solstices and equinoxes are the Lesser Sabbats.

“Imbolc” means “in the belly.” In Celtic tradition, this Sabbat is the festival of the Goddess Brighid, who relates to the Corn Maiden in Native American tradition. Both goddess archetypes symbolize the potential of new life within the Earth, within the human female form, and within the feminine aspect of all beings, male and female. Imbolc reminds us of our powers of creation.

Traditionally we celebrate the Sabbats with ritual, consciously creating with intent as we move toward the birthing at the Spring Equinox on March 20. Progress may seem slow on the surface. Trust that new life is sprouting on inner levels, just as the tiny seeds of spring are beginning to germinate deep within the belly of Mother Earth.

The cosmos gives the green light for new projects, travel and adventure when the Sun enters active Aries at the Vernal Equinox on March 20. Hibernation is over. The Sun warms our bodies and kisses the Earth. The sights and sounds and smells of a wondrous creation fill our senses. Spring is life on Earth. A new you blossoms, as a flower opening to the sky.

Calling All Souls

Last night an owl called out, several times, near my window. He was hidden, somewhere on the mesa bathed in bluish, milky moonlight. His voice was clear and persistent. I relished the invitation to explore the mystery in this sacred season.

Every year I count the days to Halloween, which is also the cross-quarter sabbat called Samhain. What a powerful time it is, our connection with the netherworlds strengthened, our night vision more acute, extrasensory perceptions finely tuned. The seasons are turning, toward winter in the northern hemisphere, toward summer in the south. Fall is a time of harvest and gratitude. We prepare for winter and go within as the nights grow longer. The Samhain fire releases pain, suffering and outdated beliefs, preparation for our journey into higher realms of consciousness.

With the Sun in Scorpio, Samhain (pronounced 'sow-in' or 'sow-een') skims the boundaries between the living and the dead. This is a special time when we honor the Ancestors and loved ones who have crossed into spirit. We're especially attuned to their guidance, love and wisdom through this portal.

This year, the Full Moon energizes the mystic, healing qualities of this shamanic gateway. Full Moons illuminate what's been held in the subconscious. In Taurus/Scorpio, she invites us to see and embrace the shadow.

Samhain begins with Halloween on October 31 and continues through "true" Samhain on November 7 when the Sun reaches 15 degrees Scorpio. All Saint's Day is November 1 and Dia de las Muertas (All Soul's Day) is November 2. The Full Moon rises Sunday night, November 1. The alignments create a bubbling cauldron of possibilities fueled by Scorpio's promise of transcendence. Prepare for the cycle of death and rebirth embedded within this change of seasons.

Light a candle and invite the Ancestors and departed loved ones to your circle of prayer, healing and manifestation. Be clear with your intent and notice messages from beyond the veil. Mercury's conjunction with the Sun in Scorpio facilitates otherworldly communication. Also commune with the Earth herself, the animal and plant kingdoms. Open to receive their medicine and the visceral sensations of this creation.

Owl carries us into the Void, quantum field of no-time, no-space... the fertile ground where shamans and alchemists dance.

Tune in, ritualize and create during this sacred passage.

Special Astro-Tarot Readings - Halloween Weekend Only!

http://www.StarPriestess.com/services.html#astrotarot

Samhain, Full Moon and More

http://www.StarPriestess.com/cosmic_time.html

Sabbats

http://www.starcraftsob.com/craft/sabbattiming.shtml

Animal Medicine

http://www.sayahda.com/cycle.htm