Summer Solstice is the pinnacle and illumination point in the Wheel of the Year. The Sun is at it’s peak power, which imbues us and the Earth with clarity, energy, healing and protection.
The energy is similar to a Full Moon- the energy is drawing things up and out to be seen, to be felt, to be released and then integrated through the rest of the year. This can be a mixed bag, emotionally! Solstice always represents a memorable turning point in the year, as there is more clarity now on our circumstances and all that was maybe hidden under the surface of our life is out in the open for us to deal with, consciously and tangibly. We may also just feel called to be ‘out’ more- expressive, social, or exploring and enjoying the outdoors.
Solstice also calls us to let our own authenticity shine- the power of the Sun melts our defenses and allows our inner light and authentic self to take up space! It reminds us that we are made of energy. Our body is light, our spirit is light, we are part of the intricate web of life that is ultimately made of light. The Earth Mother and the Sun are offering us their gifts at full force now, which awakens our own divine energy within.
I always feel connected to my inner child this time of year, and feel called to enjoy life’s simple pleasures- soak up the sun, spend more time outside, garden, make nature-based crafts, and enjoy all the colours that surround us this time of year, as so much is in bloom. I think about the things I loved as a kid- bike rides, ice cream, jump rope, drawing with chalk on the sidewalk- and do at least one of those things!
There is a nostalgia and emotional depth that comes in during the Solstice season as its entrance aligns with the Sun moving into water sign Cancer, the crab, ruled by the moon. We may feel called to nourish our inner child, watch old movies, play, connect with family or friends, delve into our ancestry, imagination, cleanse emotionally, improve our home situation, and connect with the water element.
Summer Solstice is interesting because there is both this yang sun energy alongside a yin lunar energy creating a very potent recipe for inner and outer healing, nourishment, grounding and creative manifestation! It is quite emotionally and energetically activating and initiating. I like to think of the sun on the horizon of the ocean as depicting the combo of fire and water this season holds.
As a point of initiation of a new season, this is a time to set intentions for the coming 3 months until the Autumn. How do you wish to harness this abundant energy towards your dreams and goals?
Cultivating Joy:
I’m centering on Joy for this Solstice season. I used to be somewhat disconnected from joy, because I equated it with bliss, a very heightened state that I felt was out of reach in daily life. I thought I might need an exciting trip or peak experience to feel it, so I stopped noticing all the ‘small joys’ that surrounded me, and felt depleted. It wasn’t until I started letting some of the harder emotions like grief flow out more, practicing gratitude and noticing how smaller joys were abundant during my day, that I felt connected again.
I realised that joy isn’t necessarily a high vibe bliss state out of reach, but a warm hearth flame that expands within when I engage with the present moment more fully.
Now I notice all the small things that uplift and warm my heart in a day, like a cute baby bird hopping on the ground, a funny kid, kindness between strangers, love shared, a pretty spiderweb, etc. and I let it all fill my cup, until my heart becomes so full it bubbles into joy.
My desire for this season is also to have more fun! Again, in small ways. So, one day that might mean I break up a bad mood by putting on a fun song and dancing to it, or taking a walk outside and intentionally noticing cute/beautiful things, or watching a comedy.
Thinking about the Summer Solstice’s opposite time of year, the Winter Solstice, I feel simplicity and authenticity are themes of both celebrations. The Summer calls us to the simple pleasures-enjoying nature’s abundance, and connecting with our inner child, while the Winter calls us to conserve our energy by focusing on the simple things and foundations. Both ask us to come back to our true self, without the mask, the performance, or striving- but simply being.
Color Magick & Crystal Healing:
Summer Solstice is a colorful season! From the many flowers and colors of nature’s bounty to the rainbow of Pride parade, June asks us to wear our true colors and shine.
One powerful way that light affects us and our mood is through color. Is there a specific color attracting you these days? You can manifest what this color represents in a tangible way through ritual or spell work.
For instance, if you are attracted to the color green, this may signify a need for healing, grounding, balance, heart-healing, growth, spending more time in nature, aligning with herbal medicine, desire for abundance, stability or fertility in your life. Green soothes intense emotions and represents nature’s balance.
If you wish to draw more abundance, balance or healing into your life, you could include green in your daily rituals or spellwork. You could wear green clothing and jewerly, use green herbs, candles, crystals or artwork on your altar, and begin practical steps to manifesting your ‘green intentions’ for your life.
If your intent is for health, you maybe eat more greens, visualise green light around your body, place a green crystal on the part of your body that needs it, etc.
If it is for financial abundance, you maybe create a little money spell jar or sachet with herbs, carve a green candle with affirmations of abundance, speak to a financial advisor or career expert or change your spending habits, spend time connecting with the earth in gratitude, and keep working towards your green goals!
What color is attracting you these days? How does it make you feel and what desire does it awaken within you?
Color Associations:
Red: Love, passion, power, desire, sexuality, boldness, leadership, courage, confidence, the Root chakra that grounds us.
Orange: Creativity, sensuality, pleasure and appetite, confidence, optimism, motivation, joy, exuberance, the Sacral chakra of our creativity.
Yellow: Intellectual clarity, curiosity, learning, inner sovereignty, self-confidence, abundance, happiness, positivity, the Solar plexus chakra of our independence and healthy sense of self.
Green: Healing, health, wealth, abundance, prosperity, fertility, the earth, balance, inner peace, the Heart chakra of love and relationship.
Blue: Peace of mind, wisdom, calm, cooling and soothing, truth, clarity, rest, communication, the throat chakra of expression and communication and the brow chakra of insight and clear perception of truth.
Purple: Intuition, spiritual connection of feeling ‘we are all one’ with the universe, imagination, otherworldly connections, inspiration, creativity. The crown chakra of spiritual connection to all things.
Pink: Love, softness, kindness, innocence, sensitivity, gentleness and self-love. Pink also corresponds to the heart chakra, reminding us to love ourselves as much as we give love to others.
White: Purification, cleansing, starting anew, spiritual initiation, innocence, desire for a clean slate.
Black: Protection, mystery, transition, the sacred void, fertile darkness, embracing the liminal, doing shadow work, protecting energy with boundaries.
Brown: Grounding, safety, support, comfort, stability, the earth, strength.
There are so many more colors I didn’t list! What colors are you drawn to? Where can you see this color in nature?
One unlisted color I’m often drawn to is teal, the mix between green and blue. I just love how it carries qualities of both colors, reminds me of water, and feels soothing to my nerves and mind, as well as stimulating to my heart and creativity. Another unlisted favorite is indigo, the combo of blue and purple like the night sky, which is so soothing to the mind and helps me feel sleepy. Also gold or silver may be colors you feel drawn to, which resonate with the sun and moon.
Crystals:
Another way to connect with color energy is through crystals.
Crystals are ancient beings that hold deep wisdom from the Earth. They carry strong vibrational frequencies that resonate with their color which can help us come back into balance and remember our true nature. As an animist, I treat them as living beings with a spirit, and when one is in my sphere or I wear it or am working with it, I feel into its wisdom and energy. I notice what it is trying to open up, shift or change within me and my energy field.
It is an honor to care for crystal beings. I think spiritual capitalism has gotten carried away with crystals, in that they are over-harvested and the mining of them often cause harm to people and the earth. Like many spiritual folks, I’ve collected quite a few crystals over the years, but have significantly lowered my purchasing of them and instead focus on appreciating them and giving them purpose, ensuring I have a relationship with them and honoring them instead of collecting them as pretty high vibe ‘things’.
Crystals carry the frequency of their color very strongly. You can connect with specific crystals to support your goals and to help you on your spiritual or healing path, by placing them on the body, carrying them, wearing them as jewelry, or placing them on your altar or in your space.
Try my guided meditation journey to connect with a color and crystal ally for your path:
Celebrating Summer Solstice:
So, what are some ways to celebrate this season?
Enjoy simple pleasures, especially what delights your inner child!
Be intentional in receiving the sun’s light when outdoors. Breathe in its gifts of healing, protection, liberation and revealing your authentic self!
Invite light and bright colors into your space or wardrobe, hang suncatchers in your space, create something colorful!
Connect with a crystal or a color that calls you, and use it to draw what you desire into your life.
Plant flowers or spend time in a public garden.
Express your authentic self in whatever way feels natural- through play, dance, a sport, gardening, speaking, writing, an art form, etc.
Get together with loved ones or friends and celebrate life doing something you enjoy!
Journal the reflection questions below.
Reflection questions for Summer Solstice:
What is being illuminated, clarified or healed for you now?
Like the flowers and trees in bloom, is there a part of you ready to bloom too?
In what ways are you called to receive the beauty around you?
In what ways do you feel called to share your unique, authentic self with the world?
What color is drawing you right now? What mood or energy does it awaken in you?
Where in nature does this color show up? Is there a crystal or flower of this color you wish to connect with?
If you wish to delve deeper, and are in the Toronto area, please join me for my Summer Solstice Circle- Color Magick & Crystal Healing where we will discuss these themes, find our crystal ally, learn about crystal care and use, create our own suncatchers, and socialise around the bonfire. Space is limited!
Welcome to the season of Spring Equinox, also known as Ostara, derived from the Germanic Goddess Eostre, or Alban Eilir (Welsh for Light of the Earth) in Druidic tradition.
This is the season of new beginnings! It is also the astrological New Year, as on March 20th, the sun enters fire sign Aries. The energy helps us to access our inner courage, trust, raw energy and faith that pushes us out of our comforts zones to grow- internally and externally. The flame within us is gaining strength, urging us to take bold steps forward in our personal growth and towards manifesting our dreams- whether they be big or small, the dreams we begin to nourish now have the energy of the earth and cosmos behind them. We don’t need to have a full, complete idea of what we want, even just a feeling of ‘yes’ or ‘no’ sense within us we can follow to take us in the right direction. We can trust our instinct to follow what energizes and feels like a ‘yes’!
The first shoots of new life beneath the earth are drawn to the surface by the warmth of the sun, and push through to greet it! The shoot trusts their instincts and the warmth pulling it up. It carries the strength necessary to forge a path forward, breaking ground and eventually blossoming into who they are meant to be.
Likewise, we can reach for what draws us, warms us, and let it evolve us.
As we harness the emerging energy of spring, we will find it easier to make positive changes in our lives. Sometimes though, we may run up against challenges or obstacles, and get frustrated. But instead of forcing through, getting impatient, or giving up, we can take a moment to breathe, and come fully into the moment. There may be ways we haven’t noticed, options we were to narrow-minded to perceive. We must open up to all that is available to us. We may need to cultivate a bit more patience and give ourselves more time than we originally planned. Some dreams are meant to unfold over more time. Some dreams take a long term commitment. Aries season will teach us what is doable now and what will take time. We may not be able to act on everything yet. But the first steps can definitely be taken.
We’re meant to trust the desire within us to pull us forward, and just take it one step at a time, being open to learning through the process.
Is there an area of your life where you are being called to make a change, take a step forward or try something new? Go for it. There’s no such thing as mistakes, only learning. Let this time be your chance to experiment and follow your heart. Feelings of vulnerability or self-doubt can accompany this time, so honor your tenderness with love. Know that you are loved and protected by Spirit through this process. The Earth Mother each spring gives her all in her offerings, knowing not everything will blossom or be harvested. The important thing is making the effort and trusting that what is meant to grow, will!
We can think back to bulb planting season- the autumn, and think about what has been incubating deep below the surface, resting, gaining strength, nourishment and waiting in our lives since then. This may be something that comes up to grow and flourish this season. The winter season may have clarified what no longer serves us and what inspiration or spiritual beliefs carry us through hard times. We can build on that inspiration in spring.
The wonderful thing about the equinox is that light and dark are in balance. This helps us see situations with a balanced clarity and wholeness- both our inner and outer needs can be addressed with greater ease. It is a strong time for decision making as we can better focus our energy on what we really want and take the necessary steps to get there.
It is a great time for trying a new diet or exercise regimen, picking up a new hobby or craft, a new area of study, creating career and project goals or meeting new people!
Ways to celebrate the Spring Equinox season:
Plant some seeds and grow your own plants (indoors still likely if you’re in Canada)
Buy fresh flowers to decorate with
Begin to write a plan of action for your vision or goals, take the first step
Create something new that energizes, inspires or speaks to your inner child
Try anything new! Read a new book, start a new health regimen, buy new clothing or adornment, take a class, meet new people,etc.
Get out for a walk in nature
Spring cleaning of the home and hearth
Connect with your Power- spiritual power through meditation, connection with deity or spirit guides, the divine energy flowing through your body through mind-body practice.
Cultivate your relationship with your plant and animal & allies- read my blog post on this.
Animal Allies for support:
At this time of year, as a time of volatility and change, I like to enlist the help of spirit allies to help midwife us through the process. I especially like to focus on the animal allies, because they carry that instinctual wisdom that we can emulate to help us step forward in our lives.
Is there an animal that’s been showing up for you lately? Or one that you feel drawn to or a deep connection with?
You may want to cultivate this relationship. Learn about them. How do they navigate challenges and survive? What do they eat? How do they create family or socialize? What senses do they rely on? What is their energy like? Most importantly, what qualities do they awaken within you?
If you want tips on connecting with animal and plant allies, you can read my latest blog on that here.
Also, if you are interested in celebrating the spring equinox and connecting with an animal ally and you are in or around Toronto, come to my in-person spring equinox circle on March 27th!
Spring Equinox Oracle Reading:
Speaking of Animal Allies, I invite you to choose an oracle card from the Animal Elders Oracle by Asha Frost & Hawlii Pichette!
First, take 3 deep breaths, calm, ground and centre yourself. Then ask- ‘what animal energy would be helpful for me to connect with now?’ Choose your card below and scroll down for the description!
Animal Elders Oracle by Asha Frost & Hawlii Pichette
Remember that number, and scroll down for the description! Words are of the deck’s author, Asha Frost.
Elder Heron- Practice Patience
Heron knows when to stick their long neck out and strike to hunt their food, and they know when to stand silently in the reeds. With an inherent trust in their knowing and heart, they follow their unique self-guidance, teaching us to do the same. You are asked to return to what you know to be true and release outside noise and opinions of those who surround you. Sometimes the path can seem like it moves at a slower pace, as you are asked to trust the flow of life and the inner stirrings of your soul.
Patience is indeed a virtue at this time, and you will soon see that listening to your wise inner voice brings immense joy and breathtaking beauty when you finally decide to spread your wings and soar. It’s a magnificent sight to see when Elder Heron finally takes flight with a fish caught in their beak- a journey that will be yours when you commit to patience and quiet listening.
Elder Heron Speaks: “Call on me when the world around you gets noisy and you are having a hard time discerning what is best for you. I am here to steady you and remind you that you can depend on yourself for wisdom and advice. It’s safe to slow down, trust, and be patient. Everything is unfolding at the perfect pace. When you are in doubt, I will return you to the truth that your heart always knows.”
2. Loon- Dive Deep
Elder Loon is here to compassionately guide you to see what is hidden beyond the light, at the bottom among the reeds, so you can bring healing to it. This Elder gently swims around you, inviting you to meet what is rising from the depths of your being. Is there a part of your child self that needs to be seen? Or perhaps there’s a belief that you have inherited that can now be handed back to your ancestors? Loon journeys with you to gently unearth anger, grief or other pain that is ready to flow out of your heart and body.
Elder Loon reminds you that balance in your mind, body and spirit is available when you tend to what is calling from the inside. This might take more introspection than you are used to, but with this Elder’s help, you can move the layers of what no longer serves you out to the land and waters. Your old stories and feelings are sacred, and Elder Loon promises to hold them as such as they rise out of your being, like bubbles to the surface of the water.
Elder Loon Speaks: “Call upon me when the opportunity to dive deep summons you. I am adept at underwater hunting and can stabilize all that is ready to surface. With my help, this process can feel effortless as long as you welcome my medicine. I am deeply attuned to keeping your sacred waters clear and purified, so receive my song into your heart so I may be your ally.”
3. Elder Beaver- Remain Focused
Elder Beaver reminds you that they will never take on more work than they can handle; they simply complete the work that is required of them. Only when they hear water draining from their territory do they shore up the leaks. In this way, they are beautiful teachers of energy conservation. Let go of everything that may be distracting you or pulling you away from the task at hand. It’s time to focus and gather the resources that will create a secure foundation.
There is no time to procrastinate, as all of creation is here now, supporting you and cheering you on. Elder Beaver swims effortlessly through the waters, reminding you to clear out what is no longer essential to your life. You are asked to bring all your focus to your plan, channel your energy into your big dream, and go for it. It’s time to step it up and do the work that needs to be done. When you follow through, with Elder Beaver’s help, you will be able to marvel at what you have built and enjoy the fruits of your labor.
Elder Beaver Speaks: “Invite me into your life when you need inspiration to move forward on the project you are holding in your heart. During this time, you need to be impeccable with where you are directing your energy. I am here to assist your strong desire to fulfill your vision. Intention and focus are the medicine I bring, and I promise to remind you to conserve your energy for what matters. There are times when we can forget to enjoy what we have built, so before you gather more branches and mud, my presence will encourage you to revel in the beauty of your creation.”
4. Elder Muskrat- Believe in Yourself
Elder Muskrat glides through the waters into your space today to remind you to believe in yourself. Are you stalled in your progress toward completing a project? Or maybe you have a huge dream and feel like you don’t have what it takes to succeed. If outside opinions have lodged in your heart or the words of the world have taken down your confidence, Elder Muskrat offers a steady dose of fortitude to prop you up.
Muskrat rustles up the reeds and ushers in your ancestors who have been watching your medicine walk. They stand in a circle with this Elder all around you, offering ripples of assurance and conviction. Elder Muskrat helps you to journey back to your original instructions where your creation story told you who you are. Just like the Muskrat had unwavering faith that they could save the earth, you too can believe in your ability to do whatever you desire.
Elder Muskrat Speaks: “When your soul is weary and you feel like the world has pushed you down, call upon me to help you rise to the surface. I will help to buoy your self-esteem and shake off outside voices and opinions. You carry enormous strength in your heart, and when you forget, you can lean on me to remind you that you are not powerless. You are the hero of your own story. Hold yourself in the same regard as your ancestors. Believe.”
5. Elder Moose- Honor Your Lineage
This Elder is a proud and powerful symbol of endurance and resilience, reminding you that your ancestors moved through so much and the medicine of their strength resides in you. This is a time of honoring, reconnection, and activating past and present healing. Elder Moose brings the ancient wisdom of those who came before them and asks you to say a prayer, build an altar or set an intention with your ancestral guides.
The old ones surround you closely as Elder Moose reminds you of the importance of where you came from, the medicine of your ancestral lands that formed you. Ancestors who held certain mastery and heightened abilities step forward, and you are flooded with that same vibration and gifts. With Moose’s towering bulk at your side, you are safe to unlock the secrets of the past so you can reclaim your brilliant future. And all of the ancestral spirits rejoice.
Elder Moose Speaks: “When the old ones speak through your dreams and their ancient ways of knowing rise through your bones, know that I am walking by your side. As a lineage keeper of the forest, I remind you that the stories that live within your blood are good medicine. Call upon me when you want to acknowledge the pain of the past in order to bring healing and reconnection. You are a future ancestor, and we need your rich wisdom.”
6. Elder Fox- Step up and out
Elder Fox asks you to notice where you might be choosing to shrink or draw attention away from yourself. Have you been putting others on pedestals and missing the incredible purpose you carry in this world? Staying in the background and supporting others on their mission is admirable; however, at this time you are asked to turn your attention and capacity back to your divine path.
This Elder reminds you that you have more resources than you know, and there will be opportunities coming your way to share them with the world. Get stealthy, like the Fox. Hold your head up high, and be on alert for invitations to shine your light. It’s time for the attention to be on you. Step out of your safe hiding spot and know that you carry deep intelligence and knowing. All you need to do is to take the next step and be seen; it’s your time.
Elder Fox Speaks: “I know that it can feel safer to stay behind the scenes and be protected by the shadows, but I’m here to tell you that the people who need your gifts are waiting. Call upon me when you need that push to step onto the stage of life and take up space in a more visible way. Grab onto my bushy tail when you feel like you aren’t enough, and let me lead you into the sunshine. Let those you’ve placed on pedestals be your mirrors, and rise to meet them.”
7. Elder Hummingbird- Remember the Magic
Elder Hummingbird calls you back into the magic of your child self when you held awe and wonder. Do you remember wishing on a star? How about the joy of blowing on a dandelion puff? The innocence of your child heart is asking to be remembered. You are invited to see how even though you’ve journeyed through the ups and downs of life, the spark of magic remains a part of you. Gifts and blessings are here to touch your life, and this Elder asks you to expand your capacity to receive them.
The fluttering of the Hummingbird’s wings is a miraculous sight to see, and with this delicate bird at your side, this same quick vibration is offered to you. Look for the magic all around, see the beauty that Mother Earth offers you, and open your heart to receive. The nectar is here to feed you, and the blessings of your life are about to bloom in a riot of kaleidoscopic color.
Elder Hummingbird Speaks: “Invoke my spirit when you have forgotten the magic of life, for I can fly in all directions and gather it from the past, present, and future. I flutter before you and expand your heart to remind you of your inherent worthiness to receive sweetness. I carry an incredible quality to remember the flowers that have nourished me, and I bring this memory medicine to you. I shall help you to recall the sparkle in your eyes and the hope in your spirit that you once held. Magic abounds.”
8. Elder Blue Jay- Speak Up
Blue Jay has a very distinctive call that echoes through the trees. It’s a call that commands attention and invites us to listen. A powerful mimic, this brilliant bird can even imitate a human’s voice. This Elder’s precise call reminds you that even if people might not be ready to hear your truth, your words are here to initiate change. There is medicine in speaking your truth and not swallowing what you know to be true simply to keep the peace.
The path of truth invites you to root fully in your integrity. It’s not always the easiest or most comfortable choice, but Elder Blue Jay can help you to dig deep and say what you mean, not just what you think others want to hear. When you share the wisdom that has been vibrating in your heart and soul, the whole world benefits. Trust the words that are waiting to be expressed, for they are blessings for all of creation.
Elder Blue Jay Speaks: “I carry powerful vocal medicine and offer it to you. Invoke me when you need assistance in bringing the words of your belly and heart to your lips and tongue. People may turn away from your truth, but your words will land for them when they are ready. My bright blue feathers activate your throat, opening the portal for your bold expression. Call upon me when you want to get your point across clearly. Once you know in your heart that you must speak, there is no going back.”
Did your card resonate? I hope it did!
Wishing you blessings of courage, self-love, passion, growth and new beginnings for this fiery season of Aries and Spring Equinox!
This year we have quite a transformational Imbolc season, as it encompasses some important astrological shifts in year. There is a Full Moon on Imbolc itself, on Feb 1st and then Eclipse season (Solar Eclipse on February 17th, Lunar Eclipse on March 3rd), as well as a Saturn Neptune conjunction in Aries on February 20th and of course the Lunar New Year on February 17th.
What does this mean?
While Imbolc is often a season of patience and slow, gentle awakening and inner shifts, this year it might feel more emotionally intense and coincide with bigger collective events. We will evolve and grow more quickly through this season and may see things quite differently by the end of it.
This is not something to worry about or fear- that is the last thing we need to do with the energies of this beautiful season of renewal and inspiration! It simply means instead of just sipping tea by the fireplace, patiently, we may also do some tobogganing that takes a few turns and surprises. And who doesn’t love tobogganing? Ok well maybe not everyone, but it may be more active or adventurous than usual. This season will likely bring awakening, awareness and clarity that we perhaps did not expect, and it will help us to move forward and bring us exactly where we need to be!
Brigid carries us throughwith Her Flame
Brigid is traditionally the Goddess who begins to reign in this season. She is the Celtic goddess of inspiration, the hearth, light, youth, renewal, fertility, smithcraft and poetry. She brings hope, renewal, and a spark of inspiration, passion and creativity back into our being.
Imbolc is a fire festival and the element of fire is an important ally for us now. It can cleanse away debris we are carrying in our energy field, old habits, thought patterns and other baggage we no longer need to carry with us. It helps to transform us, as well as enliven and awaken us with light and magick.
Fire dances within us in our desires, as well as our impatience with the status quo- it can warm and melt where we have frozen, it can ignite our passion, sacred rage and motivation to make a change. The sunlight is more noticeably increasing now and in the weeks to come- signaling our conscious mind to become more active as we begin to become more clear on what’s been hidden in our depths and what feels most aligned to pursue in terms of our dreams and visions for this year.
Water is also a potent elemental ally for us this season. As a season of cleansing, we may be drawn to salt baths, a spa day, long ritual showers or drinking more water to help cleanse our emotional and physical body of toxins.
Tender Nurturance and Self-Care
In some ways, Imbolc is like ‘pre-spring’- it helps us prepare for making bigger changes ahead and moving forward. Imbolc season is excellent for clearing what no longer feels authentic to us, aligning our daily habits with who we really are, and beginning to nurture and protect the emerging self and the hopes and dreams we wish to bring forth into the world. it’s a great time to get rid of objects, subscriptions or other leaks or drains on our energy, so we can focus on tending to the new life slowly awakening inside of us.
This year may carry a bit more of that bold spring energy due to the eclipses as they tend to quickly move us forward towards our destiny. This Imbolc, especially because it includes an eclipse season, it is important to be gentle and tender with ourselves, to keep ourselves grounded as best as we can into daily activities that nurture us. This helps us have a supportive container for our transformation and rebirth.
Slowing ourselves down to process our feelings and cultivating patience is necessary to build our dreams, no matter how urgently they burn in our belly.
Imbolc means ‘in the belly’, and it often feels like we are not quite who we were, not quite who we’re going to be. During these moments of change, we can feel overwhelmed, and so finding those anchors for you can be helpful, whether they are talks with a good friend or loved one, pet cuddles, nourishing meals, salt baths, walks, meditation, yoga or prayer- let those daily rituals keep you grounded.
Spiritual Renewal:
Imbolc season is wonderful to reconnecting us to our ‘why’ in life, and the faith, hope and inspiration that draws us forwards. This is a great time to reflect on our ideals, values and our beliefs and see if our daily life is aligned with them. It’s traditionally a time to cleanse and renew our altars, perhaps perform a ritual of dedication or re-dedication to a deity or spiritual practice, and check in with our actions to see if they reflect what we are devoted to in our hearts and make any adjustments. Our spiritual practice changes as we change, and we can sometimes get stuck in old habits that hold us back.
This is a great season to review what we believe in, what we hope and vision for ourselves and others in the future, and to make small changes that align our spiritual practice or daily living with this.
A Goddess Oracle Reading for Imbolc!
This is one of my favorite oracle decks I’ve been using for many years- The Goddess Oracle by Amy Sophia Marashinsky, illustrated by Hrana Janto.
Take a moment to relax and center yourself with 3 deep breaths. Then ask ‘What do I need to know right now’? and choose a card. Scroll down for it’s meaning. The italics are from the author and the rest are my words.
The Goddess Oracle by Marashinsky & Janto
Now remember that number and scroll down to find your card!
Lillith- Power
“I dance for myself. I am whole. I am complete. I say what I mean and mean what I say. I dance the dark and the light, the conscious and unconscious, the sane and the insane. I speak from myself, authentically, with total conviction, without regard for how I might look. All the parts of myself flow into the whole. All my divergent selves unite as one. I listen to what needs to be heard. I never make excuses. I feel my feelings, deeply and profoundly. I never hide my sexuality to please myself and pleasure others. I express it as it needs to be expressed, from the core of myself, from the wholeness of my dance. I am female. I am sexual. I am power. I was greatly feared.” – Lillith
When Lillith shows up, it is time to reclaim your power. We all have had times in our life where we gave away our power or had it taken from us. This can happen through betrayal, abuse, oppressive systems and more. We are often left with a wound or a part of ourself that we no longer accept or love and this can get triggered over and over until we face this power loss and reclaim this part of ourselves. Sometimes we feel broken or like we’ll never be our full self again. However, Lillith reminds us that we do indeed have the ability to take our power back and that we are always whole. Our power is a part of us- it can show up as our confidence, our creativity, our inner sovereignty, our inner child, our ability to love or feel worthy of love, our spirituality, our magick and much more.
There currently is a part of yourself wanting to rise up and be reclaimed. What might this be? Where have you felt ‘not enough’ or like you’re wounded beyond repair? Is there a situation in your life asking you to be more than you’ve allowed yourself to be? A more authentic expression of who you are?
Lillith brings you the courage to remember your wholeness and be who you are unapologetically. Take up space. Be who you know yourself to be. Stand in your fullness, stand in your power. You are always whole and beautiful just as you are, and you have been strengthened by your challenges. All of you is worthy, and your wholeness- light and dark makes you powerful. Sometimes we just need to remember this.
2. Hecate- Crossroads
“I sit in the blackness of the dark moon night with my hounds at the crossroads, where three roads converge. At the crossroads, a place of choice. All paths lead to the crossroads and all are desirable, but only one can you travel. Only one can you choose. Choice creates endings and all beginnings come from endings at the crossroads. Which one will you choose? Which way will you go? Though the choice is yours, here’s a secret I’ll share: The way to choose is to enter the void. The way to choose is to let die. The way to choose is to fly free.”- Hecate
There are times in life where we must makes a choice. This can be something small or big in your life. Perhaps it’s between choosing an old way of doing something and a new way that is a bit uncomfortable or unfamiliar but more beneficial. It could be choosing a new attitude, way of seeing things, a spiritual path or it could be something more tangible like a job, a place to live or a relationship. Decisions can often bring up our fears of the unknown, or cause us to over-analyze or feel pulled between our head and heart. Be gentle and kind to yourself during these times of change- you don’t need to fear making the wrong choice. Just simply give yourself time to stand at the crossroads. Imagine standing there with Hecate, the wise Goddess holding a staff of light. Just rest in this space and allow yourself to imagine the different possibilities before you without any pressure. Ask her for guidance and clarity. Deep down, you’ve already chosen. Trust what you feel.
3. Sphinx- Challenge
“If I ask the question that provokes, will you stretch to find the answer? Will you take up the gauntlet flung boldly and defiantly answer the call? Will you meet my challenge with tingling in your blood, with your hair blowing electric in the wind, with all your being? Knowing that every challenge is an opportunity, every challenge presents a gift. Every challenge is there to serve you, or not, it’s your choice.”- Sphinx
This is a time calling upon your inner courage to meet a challenge. This may be a part of yourself you are challenged by, or it could be a person or situation outside of you. Sometimes we know that the only way forward is through. We cannot avoid facing life’s obstacles and challenges that force us to summon our inner resources to meet. Every challenge we face sharpens, strengthens and deepens us, helping us to become more of who we want to be. It can be hard to see the gift in a challenge when we are in it. It is often in hindsight that we see where our path was taking us and what we needed to learn or experience. But the Sphinx knows she was made for this. The challenge has presented itself because you are ready, you have what it takes, and you will succeed. Trust your instincts, all the experiences that brought you here and wield your sword in full confidence of who you are what you are capable of! You’ve got this, fierce one.
4. Kuan Yin- Compassion
“I made the vow and kept my word. I reached enlightenment but rather than pass over to the state of eternal bliss, I retained human form till all beings attain enlightenment. Keeping human form enabled me to know more deeply the pain others experience. Because of my deep feelings, because of my understanding of misery and suffering, because of my decision, I am called The compassionate One. She Whose Name Alleviates All Sufferings. But wouldn’t you prefer to wait, feeling what others feel, suffering what others suffer, knowing their pain as your own. Wait till the end of all suffering and pain till all beings reach enlightenment? For me there was no other choice.”- Kuan Yin
Kuan Yin comes to remind you to have compassion for both yourself and others. You cannot really have one without the other. One of the most challenging paths of spiritual growth is to continually deepen and expand our hearts and be humbled by this human experience. In order to expand our hearts, we must come to terms with our own suffering, our own wounds and hold compassion for ourselves first. Otherwise, we can’t do the same for others. So take a moment to feel into your heart- what are you carrying? What are you feeling? Can you hold compassion for yourself in this moment? Can you see yourself reflected in another? Compassion includes all parts of ourself- including the parts we don’t like so much or that feel a lot of pain. There is an opportunity right now to take a softer approach. Be gentle and remember that we are all on this earth path as spiritual beings having a human experience- and being human includes many states of feeling, including suffering. We don’t need to glorify it, nor dwell in it- but we need to allow ourselves to hold space for it in ourselves and others, and offer grace and compassion when we can.
5. Aphrodite- Love
“When I open my heart, I am filled with delight so profound, with ecstasy so sweet, with pleasure so deep, the connecting with my beloved takes me to all the places and the union plays rhapsodies in my soul. I can achieve union when I achieve oneness with myself. I can dance in partnership when I can dance alone. I can love another when I can love myself.“- Aphrodite
Aphrodite comes to remind you how exquisite and loveable you are. Do you treat yourself like someone you really love? Does your self-talk reflect loving kindness and respect or self-criticism or self-deprecation? How can you bring a bit more loving kindness towards yourself these days? If you are in a relationship, what is the quality of feeling between you? Are you treating yourself and each other with love? Love is an action word, so listen to your heart’s call to share that love in tangible ways- whether it is towards yourself or another. Maybe offer yourself a break, a gift, kind words, or tell someone you care about just how much they mean to you. Cultivate the love within and then share it with the world in any way you feel called! Love heals and connects us, so let it flow and remember that we are always loved unconditionally by the Universe and can access this at any time.
6.Morgan Le Faye- Rhythms
“When I dance with life, I dance my own rhythm. I keep my own time. My soul’s tides are aligned and flow with my beat: My own unique expression. By honoring myself I honor all. When you dance with life, what’s you rhythm? Is it quick or slow, lively or liturgical, repetitious or ever-changing? Do you let the tempo serve you or unnerve you? Soothe you or seethe you, mettle you or unsettle you, do you know?“- Morgan Le Faye
Our culture operates on a very rigid and specific rhythm that does not follow nature, nor does it serve our natural physiology much of the time. We evolved to follow nature’s patterns of light and dark, and the seasons. However our culture runs on a scheme of constant productivity and electricity that can affect our hormones, sleep and sense of well-being.
This card is a reminder to honor your own rhythms at this time. It may mean attuning yourself more to the cycles of nature, or simply following your own timing when it comes to processing stimulation, honoring your creative flow, or taking care of your emotional and physical needs. Create some space in your schedule that serves your well-being. You may feel called to simplify meal-prep, your morning routine, or take a day off for your mental health. Maybe your creative drive comes at night and want to make space for that, or you need to get up earlier on weekends and go to bed earlier for better energy.
If you have a drum, it can be soothing to play a regular beat that matches your own internal rhythm. If you don’t have a drum, what music feels soothing or uplifting and matches your rhythm? It’s ok to go slow, no matter how fast the world around you is going. It’s ok to pick the pace up if you are feeling sluggish. Experiment and find a beat that feels right for you right now.
Did your card resonate? I hope it did. Wishing you a beautiful Imbolc season, full of inspiration, healing and renewal!
If you are in the Toronto area and would like to celebrate Imbolc in a small, cozy community, please consider coming to my Imbolc Circle: Awakening the Inner Hearth on Friday, Feb 6th, 2026!
You may also wish to try my guided meditation to Brigid for cleansing and renewing our Inner Hearth: https://youtu.be/IRI6q8iqZPk
We are now in the depths of the Great Cauldron of change and transformation. The Dark Goddess reigns this time of year, known in Her many forms as Cerridwen, An Cailleach, Hecate, The Morrigan, Lilith, Kali, Sekhmet, Nepthys, Baba Yaga, Persephone, Nyx, Hel, and more.
Samhain is rooted in Ireland and Scotland (also celebrated in Wales as Calan Gaeaf), which signifies the beginning of November, the last harvest, and the beginning of winter. It is also hunting season, and often called the third (and last) harvest festival. The first is Lammas, for the harvesting of grain, the second is Fall Equinox, for the harvesting of fruits, and the third is Samhain, for the sacrifice of animal life to sustain human life. This brings into focus the death-rebirth theme prominent of this season, and coming to terms with our physical mortality as well as the cyclical nature of life.
It is often said the veil between the worlds is thin at this time, and thus a tradition of dressing in costumes and carving Jack-o-lanterns was used to scare off malevolent spirits that may come through to visit our world. Traditions of feeding or honoring the dead with a special silent supper (‘dumb supper’) were also common. Many continue these traditions today throughout several cultures. It is historically and currently a time to honor our ancestors and beloved dead.
Samhain is a time where we can honor the deceased in many ways. Perhaps by cooking a meal they would have made or enjoyed, and setting them a plate at the table. Or, making an altar with photos and offerings, wearing an item that belonged to them, or doing something in their honor. Even just writing them a little letter or speaking to their spirit in a prayer can be a powerful way to connect.
It is also a time of recognizing transformation happening within ourselves and our lives. Often, this time shows us what is no longer serving us and must pass from our lives. It could be a habitual way of thinking or talking to ourselves, an old identity that no longer fits, inherited patterns and wounding from our family and lineage, and anything that we know deep down we just can’t carry forward with us into the future. It is a wonderful time for lineage healing and working through any generational wounds, such as the ‘Witch Wound’. (Join my upcoming Samhain Circle on this topic!).
The Samhain cauldron of transformation can be an emotional time of transition. We may experience intense grief, love, desire, sadness, anger, or joy to a greater intensity than usual. The increased darkness of the sky can increase our instinct to draw inward, slow down and bring in the comfort food and blankets. It can also increase anxiety around the unknown.
It can be helpful as we flow through the dark time of year to warm our spirits with light, candles, indoor plants, nourishing comfort food, warm drinks, music and people we enjoy being around. This is an important phase in the cycle of life- one that our culture does not allow much experience of. To sit with the reality of death, not just of our physical body, but of aspects of ourselves, and to allow ourselves to feel all the emotions, including the emptiness- is considered quite taboo in this culture. To unplug from our phones, the noise, and allow some silence in can feel overwhelming to some. If so, just keep it simple. Give yourself a small window of time before it gets dark to have some silence. Or, surround yourself with candles and comfort as you take a little quiet time to doodle or listen to music or have a warm bath.
Our spirit guides and ancestors are quite close to us at this time. They often have a message for us and much love to share. How can we receive these if we are constantly busy and plugged into media? Can we allow more space and slowness in order to feel into our depths and hear the whisperings of our guides? They are helping us to heal and renew during this phase, and there is so much fertility in our depths- new creative seeds waiting to be found and planted like bulbs to grow anew in the spring. This is also known as the Witches’ New Year, where we let go of this cycle and begin preparing our inner soil and planting new seeds that must incubate beneath the surface until spring.
So, honor yourself at this time with gentleness, love, comfort and allow for some slowness and quiet to reveal the stirrings of your heart that will take you into the new cycle. This doesn’t all have to be done right now- Samhain, like each of the seasons on the Wheel of the Year- lasts around 6 weeks. Savor it and take your time letting the darkness reveal the treasures within!
Samhain Oracle Reading:
What does this season have in store for you? Take 3 deep relaxing breaths to get centered. Then ask your guides- ‘what do I need to know now?’ and choose a card below. Then, scroll down to find that number and read the description.
I am using the Seasons of the Witch Samhain Oracle by Lorraine Anderson, Juliet Diaz and Giada Rose. Words are by the deck’s author.
Remember that number and scroll down for the description!
Graveyard:Peace, Acknowledgement. There is a song that bellows in the peace of knowing no end, in acknowledging the crossroads of eternity.
Many see a graveyard as a symbol for mortality. It collects the tears of mourners whose loved ones have been laid to rest. Its stillness is an ominous song that creeps up the spine, leaving us to ponder who Death will come for next. But a graveyard is a place of serenity where souls can find peace and stillness beyond the harsh realities of living. There is no longer the need to struggle against what is. It is a place of surrender.
There are those who fear the graveyard for it has long been the home of wandering spirits who cannot find peace. Those who have not transitioned to eternity, forced to live a half life; neither dead nor alive. Souls who are faced with taking responsibility for a life not lived to the full, focused on things that didn’t matter and holding onto resentment.
The Graveyard card will help you find peace with where you are. There are times when we will be faced with difficult situations that are beyond your control. Those are the times that we must surrender to our current place. There’s no use in fighting a battle you’ve already lost. Take control over the one thing you can change- yourself. The situation you’re inquiring about is no longer in your hands. The powers that be have taken over. Often, we are faced with a challenging ending that is necessary to facilitate a bright new beginning.
2. Elders: Compassion, Wisdom.Birthed from seed within the belly of the moon, they are the wise felt touches over our hearts and felt deep within the marrow of our spirit.
Elders are wise. They are the ones who’ve lives and experienced more ups and downs, twists and turns than the rest of us. Elders were the storytellers and keepers of knowledge, they were the ones we sought when in turmoil and who would hold us as we wept for the unfairness life can bring. They had compassion for us but also gave sage advice drawn from their decades of experience.
Today many elders are seen as a burden instead of cherished loved ones who deserve the right to be supported and cared for in their old age. Many elders have not been given the space to share the wise words of their traditions because our modern world moves too fast for their slow wisdom. Yet, there are those among us, particularly witches, who still see the wisdom in their old ways.
If you hold the Elders card, it is to remind you to have compassion for others and to never disregard someone else’s wisdom or experience. A Zen saying tells us, ‘You should sit in meditation for 20 minutes a day unless you’re too busy. Then you should sit for an hour.’. This knowledge can be applied to wisdom as well. Often the thing you need most when life is moving too fast is to slow down to see what you’ve been missing or, in this case, who you’ve been missing.
This card is a call to meet with your elders to see if they have wisdom to share about your ancestors that can help you on your path.
3. Rooted: Grounded, connection. May you never tear the living ritual that is magic merged within the roots of your being, the soil of your soul.
We are often told to start building with intuition, which is undoubtedly true; never underestimate the power of working with spirit. You need to learn to ground the spiritual information into your physical life. To be flighty is to connect to spirit but to be rooted is to become a channel for spirit. You become a vessel that allows the divine intelligence to spread its wisdom here on Earth. A more familiar word is manifestation. Being grounded is about being present and aware of how things make you feel. You have to feel into your body.
You are being asked to dig in deeper. Maintaining deep roots is how to pull yourself from the darkness. It’s easy to get grounded or to do your spiritual practice when things are going well. It’s an entirely different ball game when you feel defeated and broken, but the darkest parts of your journey are when you need to be rooted most. The real gift of spiritual commitment is found when you feel like your back is against a wall.
Don’t give up when times are hard. Instead find nourishment below the surface. Find your connection to your true self, your ancestors, your guides, your trust and your instincts. Your situation is not hard so that you can give up; it is a call to surrender to your practice.
4. Broom: Clearing, purifying, home.What dreams may come from what you seek; make room, make way! A clearing need be.
A broom or besom can be found in any home for sweeping dust and dirt. However, a broom to a witch is more than a simple household tool. It holds a special significance and sweeps more than dust and dirt away.
Brooms are often used to sweep away to Native Americans burning white sage. It sweeps away the physical and invisible energies that have crept in from the outside world. This clearing of energy contributes to a witch’s wellbeing. Clearing out the old and dusty, a witch makes space for the new. Sweeping out negative energy, a witch raises her vibration and therefore her strength.
When the Broom sweeps into your life you are being called to do some cleaning. Some things surrounding your current situation have been neglected. You need to clear out this dust of the past. This card can also mean clearing your aura. As healers, we tend to hold on to the energy of others for much longer than we need. It’s important to do regular purification rituals to keep your aura nice and tidy. The more you clear out the old, the more you make room for new energies to come into your life. Removing things both physical or metaphorical from your life, such as momentos from past relationships or giving away things that remind you of old situations, helps with that process of clearing.
5. Crystals and Herbs:Earth’s Medicine, healing. Oh what medicine, what sacredness to behold. A dash of healing straight from Mother’s home.
This card is an allegory for the profound healing that comes from working with Earth’s medicine. Sometimes you have to come back to the basics- Earth energy. This means touching the Earth and her offerings, getting to know your crystals, herbs, essential oils and the ground you walk on, forest bathing, or sleeping under the stars, finding a quiet stream or meadow and speaking to your surroundings, talking to plants or growing new ones. Invite Earth healing into your life in whatever way feels right to you as the Earth is always here for you, but like your guides, Mother Nature needs an invitation.
Pulling Crystals and Herbs is an invitation to find a deeper connection with Earth energy. Mother Earth is calling you home, and that healing can be found within nature’s language. The Earth element represents grounding, connection, stability and strength. Nature nourishes and supports you and all things on this planet. Behold the sacredness that is Earth magic. You will feel more replenished as you develop your connection.
This message is amplified if you’ve been feeling burned out- if you are sleeping but not rested, full but not hungry or active but not energized. This card holds even deeper meaning for you as it signals you’ve lost touch with the anchoring of working with Earth energy. This message is even more significant if you have pulled the Rooted card or feel called to read it.
Did your card resonate? I hope it did! I hope you uncover gems of richness and renewal and we flow through this time of change, death and rebirth.
If you would like to celebrate Samhain with me, and are in or near Toronto, ON, please join me on Friday, November 7th for Samhain Circle: Healing the Witch Wound!We will discuss the Witch Wound, go on a guided meditation journey for healing and reclaiming our power, and create little cauldron pouches filled with crystals and herbs to help us on our journey.
We are now entering the season of Imbolc, celebrated in early February. The word Imbolc comes from Gaelic meaning ‘In the Belly’ referring to the peak of lambing season in the UK, where the ewes are pregnant and/or nursing their young.
The goddess Brigid, who later became St. Brigid is venerated this time of year. She brings new life and fertility to the land, as well as healing and inspiration to our lives. As a goddess of fire, she is associated with the hearth and smithcraft as well as poetry and inspiration. She awakens the earth and the spark of life within us to be reborn anew.
Here in Canada, it is often our coldest time of year with everything still under a lot of ice and snow, spring seemingly eons away. Yet, the light is noticeably increasing, bringing us the hope and reassurance that indeed spring will come!
Funny enough however, here in Toronto, I saw snowdrops sprouting through the ground last year at Imbolc! I had never seen them so early, as it was a very mild winter, the warmest on record, I believe.
Snowdrops in Toronto in February 2024
Snowdrops are a common Imbolc symbol of hope and new life in the UK as they begin to sprout at this time. I am not sure we’ll be so lucky to see snowdrops here this year, but even if we don’t see the physical evidence of new life sprouting, we must have faith that life is forming, incubating, and stirring beneath the ground, just waiting for the perfect moment to be born.
Imbolc is very much a season that asks us to cultivate faith and patience. There is so much we just can’t see yet. Trust the process. New life is stirring, forming, becoming. We must hold space for some mystery yet and allow for some things to unfold in divine timing.
This is an incubation period energetically, but it is not passive. In fact, it is a perfect time to strengthen and nourish ourselves for the journey ahead. It is a ripe time to gather our resources and prepare. Not from a place of fear, but from a place of love and hope.We must tend to our inner strength and light. This might mean prioritizing self-care or positive connections, anything that brings us a sense of inner peace, happiness and warmth.
This is a wonderful time for gentle nurturance of new dreams, goals and aspirations that may be stirring within. It is a time for some tenderness and care as we are not quite who we were and not yet who we wish to become. Allow for innocence and childlike dreams imaginings to surface, for they may become seeds of rebirth. Honor your inner child.
Imbolc is the season opposite Lammas, held in early August. Both times of year are considered times of preparation. At Lammas, we are harvesting the outcome of our work and toil of the warm months and gathering our resources for the inner journey coming in fall. We separate the wheat from the chaff in our lives, give thanks for all we have and begin to slowly draw our energies inwards as the darkness increases.
At Imbolc, we have come through an inner journey and are preparing to slowly come out of our cave and into the light, as the sunlight increases. We have gleaned wisdom from the dark terrain we’ve traversed and must decide how we’d like to put that into action in the world. We cannot rush the process, but can use this time to sift through our dreams, visions and yearnings and decide what will see the light of day in manifestation and what will wait in the ethers for now. This requires some receptivity and deep listening, as we turn our ear to the whisperings of our heart and soul.
Brigid reminds us to tend to the creative spark within ourselves. This light is our unique essence, love, and medicine we carry. The world needs us to shine. We each have a purpose. We all matter right now, and the more of us that are lit up inside, the stronger we become against the powers that strive to keep our light diminished.
Energetically, love is extremely powerful and brings us together to make us stronger. I am not talking about romantic love (not specifically), but rather a universal love, the love that motivates us to shine our light in the world, to care for others, and for the planet, to create works of art, to start movements and communities. While we can’t be in a state of love all the time, cultivating it in small gentle ways within ourselves and then connecting with others who share that love increases our ability to move mountains.
Whether it is people, a cause, the earth, animals, a creative or spiritual practice, tend to that which you care most about now. This increases your power. Also, let yourself receive love and care in return! We all have nurturing ability within us, and we also have that nurturing energy available to us through the Earth, the Goddess or Divine Mother energy. Let yourself receive what you need.
I invite you to imagine we are literally in the belly of the Goddess, held and nurtured right now. We are not who we were last year and not quite who we are becoming yet, but we are changing, and we are growing. She is holding us safe and helping us become who we are meant to be with her divine love that is available to us all.
There are some unknowns of what life will be like in the future. During these times we may feel restless, impatient, and want to control some things that we cannot control. We may ignore the things that are completely within our control. We may wish to see things we are not yet meant to see or look away from things we must see. We may wish to jump into new life before we are ripe and ready for it.
While we may feel like we need to make everything happen now, or we just simply wish to escape to anywhere but here, there are other ways to use the energy of this time:
We can begin to envision the future we’d like to experience. We can prepare ourselves, mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually for what we wish to create or cultivate in our life. This might look like:
Resourcing ourselves with love– Connect with loved ones, friends, kindred spirits, pets, nature, a passion or cause you care about. Who brings warmth to your heart? Can you let yourself receive it? Where can you offer love to others? Becoming aware of our connections and networks help us forge a supportive container for our creations.
Healing our wounds, doing our trauma work and releasing blockages that are holding us back. What do you feel is preventing you from living the life you desire? What can help you heal and move forward? Baby healing steps make a big difference! Notice how far you’ve come already. All types of healing are well-supported during this season.
Looking for inspiration in new places, spaces and people. What helps you feel inspired? Music? Art? Nature? Spiritual ideas? Open to new sources that feed and brighten your inner fire. They just might be the seeds of your magnificent manifestations in the future.
Experimenting with small shifts in our habits, thought patterns, diet or our daily life. What helps you feel more energized? What could you release to feel lighter? Every small thing you do for your own energy right now will serve you well in the months to come.
Planning, visioning, brainstorming- This is a great time to tinker with ideas you want to manifest in the future. Is there a creative project you wish to begin? An experience you wish to have? A community you wish to start? Sketch it out, write it down, envision it happening, make a draft, start the foundation.
Cleansing, clearing, making sacred space- Your space reflects your inner self. Optimize the energy in your home or space by getting rid of clutter, fixing broken things, redecorating or changing the energy to reflect your goals. Create an altar or make changes to your existing one(s).
Awakening your inner Hearth- Your own energy field requires cleansing and protection too. Become aware of the flow of energy in your body. Is there an area of your body that feels blocked or rigid and needs softening? Or an area that needs a bit more light, energy and vitality? Bodywork, energy work, chanting or meditation practice can help. See resources I created below to help your energy flow!
I have created a couple of Imbolc resources for you. A chant and a meditation:
Chanting helps to open up our creative energy channels and ease the flow of expression. May my ‘In the Belly’ chant inspire you to sing along and help you move forward gently through these times:
Lyrics:
In the Belly song lyrics:
In the belly we are, in the belly we are, in the belly we are transformed again.
In the belly we are, in the belly we are, in the belly we are reborn anew.
In the belly we are dreaming
In the belly we are healing
In the belly we are nourishing
In the belly we are strengthening
In the belly we are, in the belly we are, in the belly we are transformed again.
In the belly we are, in the belly we are, in the belly we are reborn anew.
In the belly we are reclaiming
In the belly we are remembering
In the belly we are reweaving
In the belly we are rewilding
In the belly we are, in the belly we are, in the belly we are transformed again.
In the belly we are, in the belly we are, in the belly we are reborn anew.
Awakening the Inner Hearth Meditation:
Here is the meditation I created that we will do together at our upcoming Imbolc Circle followed by a ritual and craft. May it support your Imbolc journey this year:
May we turn to face the direction our heart is pulling us to and trust that what we seek is also seeking us. May we find our way forward with clarity.
Remember that you ARE the light, the flame, the warmth of the hearth. In the belly of the Great Mother we grow and patiently await our rebirth!
*If you are in the Toronto area and would like to celebrate Imbolc with me, register for the upcoming in-person Imbolc Circle: Awakening the Inner Hearth at my home on Friday, Feb 7th, 2025 @7pm!
So much of my spiritual path is entwined with coming home to myself and cultivating a sense of belonging within and in the world.
Many years ago, I became interested in hearth craft, which was a way to integrate my witchcraft into my largely home-centered life working from home and as a mom.
On the surface, some might think hearth craft to be a bit mundane or repressively domestic. But this is not the case, and over the years I discovered just how deep and fulfilling this path was, with immense healing potential on both a personal and collective level.
Hearth Craft is the practice of weaving magic into your home and daily life. It embraces being present with mundane tasks, gratitude & simplicity, and creating spiritual sanctuary in the home. The home is seen as a reflection of the self- and caring for it physically and energetically is just as important as caring for yourself. It honors the home as a sacred container for our nourishment and becoming.
(You can learn more about hearth craft in this blog post)
Being a hearth witch is also more than making home-keeping rituals a sacred practice or creating a sanctuary in your physical space. While these are deeply meaningful practices of hearth craft, I feel there is very little discussed about some of the larger spiritual themes of this path, which can be a part of any spiritual practice.
This brings me to the question- what is ‘home’, anyway?
My sense of ‘home’ is not only contained within the walls of my house, or a geographical location, but exists on other planes. It includes my spiritual sense of connection with all of life while also feeling rooted on this earth in my body and in my emotional wholeness- the light and dark within myself.
I feel that my original home is spiritual. It is the feeling of being at one with everything.
The separation from our spiritual connection with all that is, is a separation from our first home.
Coming back to that spiritual sense of home and belonging is not something our modern society makes very accessible.
I would say we as a species are in a crisis of belonging. Due to the industrial machine we live in, we all have a wound around this. Modern life encourages separation from each other, from the earth, and from our spiritual nature.
For me, the hearth witch path is about cultivating the feeling of spiritual oneness within myself and manifesting it in the world around me. I concentrate my magic not only to the physical home, but into becoming a hearth of spiritual remembering for self and others.
Along this path, I’ve been cultivating the art of coming home to myself- to my body, my roots, my ancestors, my spirit, and the land I walk on.
I invite you to explore these 5 spiritual themes of my hearth craft path to help you feel a greater sense of home and belonging:
Remembering our spiritual home
Coming home to our body & the energetic hearth within
Reconnecting with our kin in nature: the elements, plants, animals and other allies.
Ancestral healing & reconnection to our roots
Reclaiming the value of home & hearth keeping from patriarchy
Remembering our spiritual home:
Lake Ontario
Like many people, I always wished to feel I truly ‘belonged’ somewhere. My instinct has often been to look outside of myself- to groups and communities, to geographical locations, to workplaces, to movements and causes, to even other times and worlds- you name it, I’ve looked for belonging there. Yet, in this seeking, I often missed the real feeling of belonging, because I felt I couldn’t fully be my authentic self in any place. I knew I needed to find belonging within myself first and foremost.
It’s often through taking some time with a nearby tree, or sitting silently by the lake, or reconnecting to one of my spirit allies, that I remember Spirit flows through me every day, and everywhere I go. I am home all the time, wherever I am, it just takes a moment of remembering. We often simply need reminders that our sense of home is not necessarily a place in the external world- our home lives within us.
We all come from the mystical source of life, however you call it- the Universe, the Great Mother, God, Creator- this is our first home, which holds the feeling of oneness with all life that we long to return to. We are just visiting here on earth, and we long for that home our spirit remembers.
This Earth, I feel is meant to be a reflection of our spiritual home. It currently isn’t in great shape, however, because so many have forgotten our original home and have abused this reflection of it. It needs our care and still offers itself to our memory, to help us come back to being in good relationship with it.
Our longing can eventually become our belonging, if we remember where we come from and strive to keep coming home to that memory within us. Then we can weave that memory into the land, into our relationships, work and creations as best as we can, and let it serve as a beacon of remembering and coming home for others.
Questions for reflection:
What if our desire to belong comes from spiritual home sickness?
What if we are meant to re-create that spiritual sense of home here on earth in our own unique way?
What helps you come home in a spiritual sense?
2.Coming home to our body and the energetic hearth within:
The Hearth Within
The word ‘hearth’ is very special to me and warms me up inside. It contains both the words ‘heart’ and ‘earth’, depicting the sacred connection between both. I feel the hearth is where our heart meets the earth, where our love manifests in physical form to nourish and support us.
I also feel energetically the hearth holds a womb-like quality, reflecting our first physical home in our mother’s womb.
The sacral chakra, which is the energy centre that also houses the physical womb, has often been referred to as our lower heart. It is the heart’s sensual, earthly counterpart. In Sanskrit, the sacral chakra is named Svadisthana, which means ‘in one’s own abode.’
My inner hearth is a warm, loving, nurturing energy and tends to feel strong in the sacral chakra and in my heart chakra as well as the crown chakra. Others may feel it quite differently, which is all good and well.
Often, to feel our inner hearth, we can think about what ‘lights us up inside’, and notice where we feel that in our body.
What awakens love, warmth and that feeling of spiritual home within your body? Sometimes visiting a certain place in nature, cuddling a pet, hearing a song or type of music or doing something nourishing helps us kindle the flames within.
It took me a long time to feel a sense of being at home in my body. There are so many factors, especially trauma, which can make this challenging. It can take time investing in a mind-body practice or healing support. It may also spontaneously arise when in the right frame of mind or situation.
Another aspect of cultivating the hearth within is to pay attention to our need for boundaries and self-protection. I take on others’ emotions very readily and have had to learn how to cleanse and protect my own energy field. This is something I practice daily as well and recommend as part of cultivating one’s energetic hearth.
Questions for reflection:
What lights you up inside?
Do you feel a place of warmth and love in your body physically or energetically?
What does ‘being at home’ feel like in your body?
3.Reconnecting with our kin in nature- seasonal cycles, plants & animals, the elements & other allies:
Me and a tree friend
Coming to this earth from our spiritual home can be disorienting. Essentially, we ‘forget’ where we come from to some degree and are not given a clear set of instructions, schedule or map.
We are left to find the breadcrumbs ourselves, to hopefully connect with our kin here in earthly form- our soul family- and allow our memories to resurface.
Our soul family may include other humans, as well as animals, plants, trees, rocks, bodies of water, places on the land itself, and other spirit helpers all serving as reminders of home. We all come from the same place, after all. Our soul family can rekindle our inner hearth-flames of remembering, and help us become a beacon of remembering for others.
There have been many places and beings in nature that have helped me greatly over the years. For example, since I was a child, I always felt most at home when I was near or in a body of water. I always felt the sacredness of the water element. Whenever I am near a lake, ocean or river, I remember that I am part of everything.
Swimming- especially in lakes- is one way that I can instantly feel a sense of belonging again. To a lesser extent, during the winter months, I rekindle that feeling by taking baths. Perhaps it’s the memory of living in surrounded by water in the womb. Or maybe it’s a deeper, more ancient connection to coming from the ocean. Either way, connecting with the water element is a very easy, quick way for me to regain a sense of belonging when I feel alone.
Living in a big city with millions of people, I have had to be quite intentional about seeking out allies in nature to rekindle my sense of belonging. Thankfully, Toronto has lots of trails, parks, critters and sits on the edge of beautiful Lake Ontario. We always have a reminder of home nearby.
Also, the energy of all the humans in the city, while overwhelming at times, can also increase our chance of finding other humans in our soul family. Even if we haven’t met them yet, there are likely others a lot like you who have found their way here.
Questions for reflection:
Is there a place in nature that helps you remember your belonging to this earth?
Is there an animal you’re drawn to or have a strong relationship with? A tree that helps you feel at home?
Who in your life feels like soul family?
4.Ancestral healing & Reconnection to our roots
Returning to our roots
Learning the stories of my ancestors has greatly strengthened my sense of belonging and feeling at home on this planet. So many of us have been removed from our roots and our elders, displaced for many different reasons. This is one of the reasons I feel we are in a crisis of belonging.
I wasn’t really interested in my ancestors much until around the age of 30. Then, thanks to the internet and a keen aunt, uncle and other relatives who loved genealogy, I was able to find lots of information about my relatives with ease.
Slowly over time, I collected photos, stories, names, and scrapbooks. I am still learning more every day about my ancestors. There are definitely things that have been passed down to me that I feel proud of. And some things, like inherited wounds, I am working on.
For the most part though, getting to know my ancestors not only on paper, but spiritually- through prayer, talking with them, going to their lands, speaking their language and honouring them in my daily life has been a balm to my soul.
Not only has my relationship with my ancestors helped me– by showing me just how loved and protected I am, reminding me of my gifts and helping me feel more rooted with purpose here on the planet- I feel it has helped them, too. I feel their joy and relief when I connect with them. I feel like they’ve been with me my whole life, just waiting for me to hear, listen, pay attention to them. When I do, they get positively giddy, and that warms my heart so much.
I feel hearth craft is essentially an ancestral-reclaiming practice, because in a very short span of time-maybe only a generation or two for some of us- daily life went from cooking over an open fire, hunting and fishing off the land, farming, sewing and washing by hand, to modern technology doing most of our chores for us and food sourcing shifted to large corporations. Hearth craft embraces a reclaiming of the old ways, reconnecting our lives to the land and to the crafts and wisdom of our foremothers.
Many of my ancestors on my mother’s side were homesteading pros. Voyageurs, Metis and French Settlers who lived across Quebec, the Great Lakes and the prairies, they knew how to build a home and community from the ground up in various landscapes. They lived off the land, and some even formed a village, St.Leon in Manitoba.
Some of my ancestors/relatives from St.Leon, MB
Some of my foremothers bore up to 16 children all the while working hard to survive the harsh prairie winters. Some spoke French, English, Cree or Michif. They had tough lives, a strong faith, a good sense of humor and took great joy in playing the fiddle and spoons, writing, singing and dancing. They put me to shame with my modern convenient life, but inspire me deeply with their joy, resilience and strength.
When I feel lost or lonely, or like this world is too much, I can rest assured I carry their gifts within my blood and bones. They overwhelm me with gratitude.
Questions for reflection:
Do you feel a connection with your ancestors or the lands they walked?
What gifts and strengths were passed down to you?
How do your ancestors help you feel a sense of belonging and home in this world?
5. Reclaiming the value of home & hearth-keeping from patriarchy
me & my daughter in 2009, Manitoba
While much has changed since our foremother’s times, women are still under immense pressure. We’re expected to ‘do it all’ and somehow do it perfectly and happily, which is humanly impossible.
I sometimes feel the hardship, pain and lost dreams of my foremothers, as they had to make many sacrifices to ensure survival of their families. Having been raised in the 1980s and 90s, I absorbed a lot of mixed messaging around what a woman’s role should or shouldn’t be- as independent woman, mother, wife. Basically, whatever we do, society won’t find it acceptable, and there is always a sacrifice of some kind.
We are always subject to criticism, whatever our choice or circumstances are in regard to having a family, career and value in this world. Patriarchy still has a hold on us, and this requires some unpacking and healing.
Deciding to embrace hearth-keeping as a sacred calling in my life brought up insecurity and wounding. Internalized social conditioning had me belittling the ways I weaved magic into my home and family life. I felt I was not doing enough to save this very messed up world. While I always worked or volunteered in some way serving the community at large, I always felt like what I was doing for my home and family wasn’t considered valuable work and I should somehow be doing more, even though I was exhausted.
Tending the home and hearth was held sacred through much of history in many cultures. While patriarchy designated this area of life to women and devalued this work to keep control over us, the home has never ceased to be a foundation upon which everything else stands.
Our early experiences with home, nourishment and love from our early caregivers deeply influence who we grow up to be. While we and many of our foremothers have known this, having all the burdens of emotional, physical and mental labor placed on women is unacceptable. Social systems are still deeply lacking in support for parents, elders, those in caring professions and caregivers in many ways. These roles are part of the hearth-tending needed in society at large.
Sacrifices have always been part of the package. While sacrifice is noble and sometimes necessary, martyrdom is not. I’ve had to unpack this inheritance from my own lineage and conditioning quite a bit.
My hearth
I wish to invite us back to an expanded view on what the hearth is. It is very much a feeling of being home and belonging- an energetic quality, which is not limited to the walls of our dwelling. It is an energy we can cultivate within ourselves, and in our interactions with the world at large. We can create a hearth energy in our workplace. We can cultivate a hearth in our intimate relationships, communities and those we care for in various ways.
Whether you bring your love, magic and nurturing energy to your house plants, pets, home, partner, friends, children, co-workers, clients, customers, a cause, passion, art form or a special place on the land, you are feeding the hearth fires that keep us all going!
It’s really about your intention and the energy you bring to what you are doing.
Also, remember that in order to be the hearth for others, your own inner hearth needs stoking first.
Reclaiming the value of home and hearth keeping is about finding out what it means to you, rather than what society or culture thinks. We can experiment. We can use it as an opportunity to heal broken lineages, childhood wounds, start new habits and transform our relationship to it.
How do you feel about home keeping and domestic work?What perspectives did you inherit or absorb from society/culture about it?
How does the idea of hearth-keeping as a sacred act of care for self and others sit with you?
How does hearth-keeping show up in different areas of your life?
As I mentioned before, for me, the hearth witch path is about cultivating the feeling of home within myself and manifesting it in the world around me. I strive to concentrate my magic not only to the physical home, but into becoming a hearth of spiritual remembering for self and others.
May your your inner hearth fires be nourished and burn brightly!
“The beauty of the Cailleach reflected the beauty of winter. The lines on her face all told stories. She did not have the wrinkle-free smoothness of a young girl, but rather the wisdom of age and experience. Her eyes spoke of death, wonder and determination, all of which were found in the harsh snows which blanketed the land and reminded people of their own mortality. “
–From the book ‘Visions of the Cailleach’ by Sorita d’este & David Rankine
We have nearly arrived to the Winter Solstice, the longest night of the year. As the darkness cloaks us in its deep mystery, and the land here in the northern hemisphere tucks itself in for a long nap, we too feel called to rest and allow the wisdom that can only be found in silence and stillness to reveal itself.
The Wheel of the Year and the seasons of nature all correspond to aspects of ourselves, and stages of life. Here, at the Winter Solstice, we are at the Elder stage.
No matter what our age, we all have an inner Crone, Elder or Wise One within us. This part of us may be as ancient as time, our wise soul that has lived through many lifetimes. It is the part of us that has learned to love and let go, to make mistakes and grow, and gather wisdom from experience. As we nurture our inner Elder, we find valuable gems of wisdom to take with us beyond this lifetime, and share with others while we’re here.
The Winter Solstice invites us to embrace the darkness- the Great Mystery, the dark womb of potential, the void from which all dreams are born. This is a potent season for rest and dreaming.
Melatonin- also known as ‘the hormone of darkness’ is released by the pineal gland in response to the sky’s natural darkening. This helps us sleep and regulate our wake-sleep cycles. This is nature’s way of saying ‘It’s time to rest, time to dream, time to recharge’.
Unfortunately, due to modern schedules and light sources, especially the blue light from our screens, melatonin production is inhibited, making it harder for us to get the refueling sleep and dreamtime we need. Lowering the light in our homes, and putting away screens after dark or before bed are ways we can allow our natural melatonin production to form and get more satisfying sleep. I enjoy using candles, crystal lamps, dim lighting and try to limit time on my phone during the evenings of these darker months.
The land is also taking its time to rest now, a necessary dormancy period that is a vital part of the fertility cycle. Dormancy gives bulbs and seeds the energy they will need to sprout in the warmer months. Without a dormancy period, many plants will not sprout. Some plants require more dormancy than others, anywhere from weeks, up to many years before being able to germinate.
Like seeds, us humans require quiet, non-active periods of rest, especially during this time of year. Letting the busy-ness and stress of our culture’s version of the holiday season burn us out can prevent the germination of new life in spring. If possible, take some time this winter to slow down, simplify and try an earlier bedtime. Embrace stillness, silence, reflection and receptivity. Create fertile soil for your dreams to germinate. Your body, spirit and psyche will thank you!
Winter Solstice is also a celebration of the return of the light. While this increase in light is often not very noticeable until Imbolc season in early February, we can open our minds and hearts to hope and know that new life is on its way! We however must be patient and let new energies incubate and reveal themselves in their proper timing. Surrender and faith are qualities we are invited to cultivate during this time.
As we slow down and allow ourselves to enter a receptive state, we can begin to form new visions for the coming year. Winter is a great time to tend our inner soil, our inner foundations and strengthen our roots and bones.
While January begins the calendar new year, it is not necessarily the best time to jump into starting a whole new paradigm, or expect immediate results on anything. Radical diets and big changes often fade out by February because of the energy-conserving, slow-moving nature of this time. Changes can be made, but with patience and small, realistic steps forward. It is more conducive to integration and inner alignment- a time to open to possibilities and let our intuition and inner wisdom guide us forward.
The Cailleach
by Jane Brideson
It is at this time of year that I often feel the wise, strong and powerful presence of the Cailleach- the ancient, giant, primordial Old Woman that predates the gods, venerated in Ireland, Scotland, Isle of Man and all over Britain. She has roots in Spain and beyond as well. Her presence expresses itself through the harsh cold of the season, creating storms, snow and darkness. She also is known as a shaper of the land, creating hills, stones, cairns and lakes.
Through Her connection to the land, the Cailleach is also a goddess of Sovereignty, able to grant kingship. She also rules over herds of deer and tends the animals. Her myths and stories can be traced as far back as two thousand years ago. She is truly an ancient, wise presence to behold, and Her energy serves to awaken our own inner strength, sovereignty, power and ability to move through challenges.
Some see the Cailleach as the dark mirror of Brighid- the goddess of fertility, spring, the hearth and the light, who is celebrated at Imbolc. Their relationship is a dance between the forces of life and death, or light and darkness, which are energies that seek balance within ourselves.
My favourite depictions of the Cailleach and Crone imagery lie in the Wisdom of the Cailleach oracle by Jane Brideson. I love seeing powerful, inspiring imagery of women as elders- a lacking depiction in our culture. This beautiful deck is my go-to every Winter to tap into the powerful energies the Cailleach holds.
Curious to see what the Cailleach and your Solstice season has in store for you?
Take a moment to ground and centre yourself. Take 3 mindful, deep breaths. Then, when you’re ready, gaze at the cards below and ask ‘What do I need to know for this Winter Solstice Season?’ Then, choose your card…
From Wisdom of the Cailleach Oracle by Jane Brideson
Remember that number! Now scroll down for your message. Messages from the deck creator, Jane Brideson, and then my own words in italics.
Moon– Intuition, Dreams, Illusion
Imagination, inner vision, creativity.
Recognition of your body’s cycle and energy levels.
Heightened awareness, insight, and understanding.
A time to use your intuition and follow your dreams.
The moon offers us the wisdom of cycles and flow. We don’t have to remain the same forever, or follow the same routine rigidly. We can change, shapeshift and move as we feel called to. It’s ok to be moody, and to follow your feelings. It’s ok to change your mind or grow out of something. Give yourself permission to be multi-faceted, to go through phases, to be a changeable human being. Lunar consciousness is counter-cultural, but oh so needed to bring us into balance. What phase are you in right now? What do you feel called to explore or express? Where can you invite more flow or wildness into your life? What are your dreams showing you? This can be a great time to track the moon cycle and notice how its energies interplay with your own.
2. Possibilities- Trust, Hope, Potential
Hopes, dreams and plans for the future.
Trust that all will be well in this moment.
An opportunity to explore your potential.
Time of optimism and freedom.
Do you allow yourself to dream big? Remember the wonder and awe you felt as a child? Take some time to sky-gaze and envision possibilities for yourself in the future. Sometimes we get caught up in old stories from the past and believe in a more limited future than is possible for us. We also forget to look up at the night sky and remember just how big the universe is, and how much we have yet to explore and discover. Perhaps you are feeling called to expand your world a bit with travel, a new course of study, an inspiring experience or trying something new. This card encourages you to go for it! Even a small change in activity can create new neural pathways in our brain, transforming the way we see the world and keep us young. What do you feel curious about? What thoughts create a feeling of expansion and liberation in your heart and soul? It’s time to open up to more. Believe in your potential!
3. Old Woman
I am
gnarled hands that knot the past into the present.
Preserving myths, keeping ancestors alive.
I am
Your heritage, your hard lessons, the kindnesses, old conflicts, the good blood and the bad.
My crooked fingers unravel knots, free tethered thoughts, release the ties that bind.
I am
the parting and the letting go, which heals your broken thread.
What experiences, challenges and triumphs have etched themselves upon your soul in this life? Our life brings us love, loss and so much more, changing us deeply and making us wiser. This is a time to reflect, to gather all the yarn and weavings of your life, all your key experiences and appreciate all that brought you here- the good and the bad, as they have strengthened you. You are sacred, blessed and a deeply important contributor to this world, with so much wisdom to share. Are there aspects of your past or your ancestral inheritance that can be preserved for future generations? Are there aspects of your past that are weighing you down and can be let go of? As you continue to weave the tapestry of your life, what beauty, inspiration or wisdom would you like to keep, pass down or share with others?
4. Wise Woman
I am
softening skin creased by a million smiles.
furrowed brow planted with seeds of hope, slow uncurling of inner vision.
I am
The arrow that flies to the heart, spiral path that snakes across the land, the whitethorn by a sacred well.
I whisper charms as breathing slows in rest, then tip-toe to your side. Our arms entwined, our bodies light, we dance into the Many Coloured Land.
The darkness is what shows us the light. As we age, we feel more gratitude for the simple things, the small moments that make up daily life. We realise just how precious life is. What moments bring you that deep joy and gratitude for life itself? What small acts in your daily life can become moments of mindfulness or gentle ritual? If you have been feeling heavy with the complexity of human existence, come back to simplicity. Make a list of 5 things in everyday life that touch you deeply or that you feel grateful for, such as the smell of coffee, the sound of the wind in the trees, or seeing a loved one smile. Open to the sacredness found in each and every aspect of your everyday life. Also, take note of your nightly dreams and any wisdom or inspiration that can be gleaned from them.
5. Ancestors- Origins, Forgiveness, The Past
Your roots, your ancestors, your heritage.
Lessons learned, time to move on.
Understanding and forgiving your former self.
Time to leave behind your past, old patterns and beliefs.
Our ancestral inheritance comes with many gifts as well as challenges. Oftentimes, we unconsciously carry beliefs that were instilled in us at such a young age that we don’t think much of them operating in the background of our life- through our self-talk, the decisions we make, the obligations and fears we carry. Is there something you’ve been carrying, perhaps not only you, but your family has carried for generations- that is holding you back from being your whole self? Or from manifesting your dreams? Traumas can repeat themselves in our life until we heal. Is there a pattern from your past keep that keeps repeating itself? Seek out support and guidance if need be to help you untangle any roots that are not conducive to your growth. If you’ve already been doing this work, acknowledge how far you’ve come. Also, tap into the many gifts that you’ve inherited. Take the good and leave the bad behind.
6. Tribe- Community, Celebration, Support
Family, chosen family or community.
The mutual support, comfort and help of friends.
Undertaking responsibility and assisting others.
Time to celebrate and share with others.
Who’s in your circle? It’s not the size of it that matters, but the quality. When we vibrate at our own authentic frequency, we attract others who align with it. You may be in a transition in your community circles, where some friends or groups are falling away, or no longer in your best interest. Perhaps you’re experiencing a dry spell or have been a hermit for a long time. As you come closer to your authentic self, you will start attracting people who resonate with you that you can have a more supportive and nourishing connection with. This is a great time to nurture your aligned connections by offering support or reaching out, as well as taking the time time to honor where you’re at and envision what type of circles you wish to be part of in the future. Or perhaps, you feel called to start your own community?
7. Sun-Joy, Energy, Prosperity
Happiness, warmth, and good health.
Good luck, success, a positive outcome.
A time to enjoy sunlit days, a holiday.
Time for pleasure, fun and play!
It’s too easy to get bogged down in the seriousness and heaviness of life these days. We cannot bring our dreams into the world or help others unless we allow joy and light in! Thankfully, this card is an indication that your own energy, vitality and strength are increasing and will flourish. Keep up the positive things you are doing for yourself and others. Nourish joy in your life. Surround yourself with candles, invigorating colors, music and imagery that keeps your heart light and inspired. Get creative, nurture your passion or let your inner child out to play! The world needs this energy more than ever. Allow it to exist in you!
8. Well- Healing, Nurturing, Self-care.
Health, physical and emotional tranquility.
Nurturing self or others.
Connection to nature, ritual, meditation.
Take time out for refreshment, reflection and healing.
Wells are sacred sites for healing and prayers to healing spirits. The well calls you now to draw your healing energies towards yourself. Perhaps you’ve been at the beck and call of others for too long or come through a period of intensity or hard work. It is time to regroup, gather your energies, process and nurture yourself. This could be a great time for a retreat- whether through travel or simply by giving yourself some time out at home to replenish. Your soul is calling you for some attention. Reflect on your deepest needs, desires and wishes. Journal, meditate or take a walk in nature to reconnect to your inner self. What is your body telling you it needs at this time? What does your heart long for? What brings your mind some peace? What does your spirit crave? Allow yourself to receive the healing energies the earth is offering you.
I hope your card resonated!
If you’d like to delve deeper into your own inner wisdom, the Cailleach and the magic of Winter Solstice, I’d love for you to join me online on Friday, Dec 20th @7pm EST for Winter Solstice Circle- Honoring Our Inner Wisdom. We keep it small, cozy and intimate for ease of sharing. All genders, paths and experience levels welcome. I’d love to see you there!
Roots & Ancestors. The Soul, Death & the Otherworld. The bonds we share here and beyond the veil. Letting go and shedding old skins.
Samhain season carries some heavy themes, yet this is ultimately a season of liberation. The invitation to dance with our shadows and contemplate death serves to remind us of who we truly are and how we want to live. It helps us open to something greater than we originally imagined life could be and pushes us to release anything that holds us back from living authentically and aligned with our highest good.
This is also Scorpio season, which is reflected in Samhain’s meaning. Scorpio teaches us how to reclaim our power. Past wounds, betrayals, or triggers of powerlessness that rear their heads now are ways the universe is actually conspiring to help us heal and be free. We must feel our pain fully in order to transmute, understand and learn from it. We are called to be brave warriors of the heart here, and take our heavy armor off for a moment to simply feel what we feel. If we do this, and tend to our healing in earnest, we may not need to wear that armor ever again in the future.
Thankfully, we are not on this healing journey alone. We are gifted easy access to the insight of our beloved dead, spirit guides and healing allies, just in time for our healing. We simply need to slow down and tune in to hear their whisperings. Whether you do this through paying attention to your dreams, prayer, trance work, meditation, movement or simply walking through the forest, Spirit is waiting for you to hear its message.
Samhain means ‘summer’s end’ in Gaelic and has been traditionally a time to honor our beloved dead and ancestors. Our loved ones beyond the veil watch us and protect us from harm, and sometimes we may take this for granted. This is an opportune time to connect with our spirit kin, and show them gratitude by speaking their names, reading their stories, creating an altar in their memory, making a dish they enjoyed or passed down, or praying to them. While they may not be in the flesh, they have much wisdom to bestow on us to help us live here on this earth walk, if we choose to listen.
Samhain is opposite Beltane on the Wheel of the Year. As opposites, they share a natural bond. Beltane in the spring is the season of earthly fertility and visible growth of the plants. Samhain falls in the season of visible plant death and dormancy, yet it is a very fertile season for soul growth- as the growth happening now is in the invisible realm.
We must shift our awareness from the surface of things to the inner depths to notice all the fertility that lies beneath. Our inner garden awaits our tending.
We can ask ourselves, what seeds of healing do we wish to plant in the depths of the night? What potential lies within that simply needs some care and attention in order to flourish?
This season of darkness reminds us that there is no such thing as death. Fertile soil and blooms can come all year round if we decide to till our inner soil.
Energy never ends, it only transforms.
Ready to receive a message to help you on your Samhain season journey? Take a moment to ground and centre yourself. Take 3 deep, cleansing breaths. Then ask your guides “What do I need to know for this Samhain season?” and choose a card below:
Season of the Witch Samhain Oracle by Lorraine Anderson, Juliet Diaz & Giada Rose
Now remember that number and scroll down to find it’s description! (Descriptions are by the deck’s authors.)
Reflection- Truth, Fear
Reflection shows you the person you’ve become, for better or worse. It shows the parts of yourself you wish you could hide and the parts that are to your liking. Your reflection has no desire to hide your truth. You are being guided to acknowledge who you are at this time. Looking to the future is great and so is setting goals. But how can you make a plan for where you’re going if you haven’t come to terms with where you are now?
It can be a challenge to stand in the truth of who you are today. No one wants to say ‘I’m overweight’ or ‘I’m in debt’ or ‘I’m sabotaging my goals’. However, pretending these circumstances do not exist is like hiding under a sheet of paper in a rainstorm, it will protect you for a few moments, but eventually the water will soak through and you will be forced to face your reality. Or, in this case, your reflection.
Reflection has come to ask you to be honest with yourself. Stop hiding from the situation you are facing. You must use where you are as a starting place for any real change to occur.
2. Silence- Stillness, Nothingness, Presence
The world moves at such an alarming rate. Sitting inside a coffee shop I can hear sirens, cars, construction, people talking and moving. I find myself seeking the quiet of dawn when the Earth is still and muted.
There is a presence in the silence. There is space to fill it with the sound of your voice and the beat of your heart. This is the space where all of creation is free to roam wild. Stillness is the presence of nothing and the potential for everything.
A witch knows she must take time to find stillness. It is within nothingness that creation is born. One must be still to hear. One must be still to receive the subtle messages left for a few moments to guide you on the path.
If Silence has come, take this opportunity to be still. This card is a reminder to spend time each day to clear your mind. The answer to your question will come when you stop searching, allowing the solution to be presented to you. There is no need to rush in this situation, even though you think you must. Remove your expectations of the situation you are inquiring about. Give this up to the silence, the nothingness. Spirit will take your query and answer when the time is right.
3.Greet the Darkness- Self, Inner Truth
Darkness. You might get a sense of terror from what you can’t see. But not all hidden things are bad. There are many things that you cannot see that hold the secret to life, abundance and renewal. Like the lotus flower that blooms from the darkness of muddy waters, there is beauty in the darkness for those who know where to look with their heart.
You have pulled Greet the Darkness as a call to go deep into your dark corners. There are parts of you that are beautiful yet remain undiscovered. You must allow yourself to open to the unknown. You can so this by confronting old wounds, lost memories, feelings of shame, guilt and disappointment.
This is called shadow work, a practice that allows you to make friends with your demons rather than hide from them. What seems like a monster is really a lost part of you needing love and support. When feelings such as anger, resentment and chaos come round, it is because those feelings are trying to protect you in the only way they know how. Anger only knows anger and can only offer its support in that way. Chaos only knows chaos so that is the only way it can get your attention. These feelings are trying to help you find the beautiful gems that are waiting in the dark spaces of your being.
Confront whatever feelings you have surrounding your situation. Allow those feelings to surface and face them without fear. Greet them and ask them how you can work together. Journal your meditative conversations with your dark parts. Within their words of advice you will discover the lost or missing pieces of yourself.
4.Potions and Spells- Manifesting, Calling
Potions and spells are how a witch weaves her magic spell, calling into existence her deepest desires. Potion making and spell crafting are two rituals that, when done correctly, can bring about dozens of manifestations. Adding little pinches of this and that here and there can change your creations ever so slightly and is an art that has been passed down through hundreds of generations in as many cultures.
One of the best nights of the year to create potions and work spells is on Samhain, when the veil is at its thinnest. Weaving your magic on this night is like supercharging your magical creations and rituals. Our ancestors would work spells on Samhain to survive the winter. For a time, magic was the very bread and butter of survival, a way to protect, nourish and support through good times and bad.
Should you receive the Potions and Spells card, know that you should begin learning the art of potion making and spell crafting. The more personal a spell or potion, the better the chance of a favorable outcome.
You are capable of manifesting anything you wish. You are the director of your life, as as a witch you are better equipped to manifest exactly the life you desire and deserve. Think big! The potions and spells available to you are endless. You can have and create anything you choose. Make it your mission to craft your life.
5.Healer- Guide, Facilitator
We all come into the human experience with the use of energy and intuition. Among us are those who are called to be Healers. They are the wise ones who’ve made a conscious choice to devote themselves to guiding others on their paths.
Healers can be found in all religions and traditions, each with something beautiful and unique to contribute to the collective energy of the world. You may know them as shamans, medicine men and women, priestesses, wise ones, great ones, the list goes on.
If you have pulled the gift of Healer, know that you are being called to initiate yourself as one of the wise ones. You are meant to be a guide for those who are finding their way and there are many ways you can do this- as a healer for your family and neighborhood, or through building a community on social media offering wisdom. It doesn’t matter how you choose to heal. All that matters is that you do.
If you have through about becoming a healer this card is a resounding YES! Some healing practices are crystal therapist, Reiki practitioner, tarot reader, psychic, doula, death doula, herbalist and so on. You may have something you’ve practiced for years or you may feel called to learn a new skill. Trust your intuition.
You can become a facilitator of healing. Creating healing tools such as guided meditations, healing jewelry, candles and even creating your own oracle deck can provide others with a path to heal themselves. You create the path for others to walk. You are unique and have something to share with the world.
6.Protection-Safety, Hidden
Many of us have had to search out our own safety since beginning our journeys as spiritual healers, students and teachers. We’ve faced criticism for being witches, faced jealousy for being true to our own paths and had to withstand attacks from our own egos. But we rise and keep going with fearless determination. We know we have our spiritual team (our ancestors, guides and angels) to support us and keep us from harm.
You are always protected, my dearest witch, no matter how scary the world may seem or how many things go bump in the dark night of your soul. Within you is a space that cannot be harmed, penetrated or shaken. Here you can retreat to heal and find comfort. You need only step through the veil into the arms of those who love and care for you.
If you have drawn Protection know that all is well and you are safe. Your spiritual support team will protect you from harm. You are protected from hexes, evil eyes, danger, psychic attacks; you are even protected from the dangers of your Earth-based ego. Know that you can handle anything.
When you are feeling unsafe, speak to the powers that be. Ask them to guide you where you do not have eyes and to keep you safe when you are in harm’s way. They are always walking with you and are ready to provide you with additional support whenever you feel the need to ask.
7. Altar- Devotion Worship, Individuality
Your altar is a sacred space created to honor something in your practice, a space dedicated to worship and the devotion of your craft. It should not hold things that are not sacred to your energy work. It should be the place in your home where spirits of the wise gather and share their knowledge with you.
Each altar you create is a beautiful expression of who you are. It’s where you hold your connection to something in Spirit that resonates with your inner self. Some things naturally belong on an altar such as ritual candles, crystals, herbs, an athame or a chalice. Personal items are welcome too. There is no right or wrong item to put on your altar as long as it holds special meaning for you.
If you have pulled Altar it is because your guides are thrilled to see you making an effort. There needs to be an intention, a worshipping and space so that you can harness your energy without disruption. Either a physical space such as an altar or metaphorical space like opening your heart- it is even better to have both- where you can come back to your true self. Know that you have the power deep within that needs a place to land.
Your guides need a space to speak to you. They can reach you anywhere on the planet and you can call on them at any time. Worshipping at your altar gives them an open invitation. They know they are welcome and that you are ready to receive their gifts and messages in your sacred space.
8. Frog- Transformation, Serenity
Butterflies are often what comes to mind when we think of transformation. But let us not forget, frogs are also a symbol of transformation: Going from a tadpole that lives in water to a frog that adapts to land and water. For some species, this process takes a couple of weeks. For others, it can take months and even a year to transform from one thing to another.
When Frog comes croaking, know that you are transforming or the process will begin soon. This is a positive transformation, an easy-going one, so you might not even know it is happening. It’s a subtle shift that occurs in the background until one day you realize things are different. There is nothing you need to do to move this change along. Like the frog, your higher self will take over and guide you through instinct. You need only pay attention to the urges you feel and follow those urges when they strike.
Be patient and note that this transformation has come to your awareness. This is not something that can be rushed or forced. Like the frog, this transformation may take days, weeks or maybe even a year or two to transform completely. All unfolds in accordance with divine destiny.
Did your card resonate? I hope it did!
Wishing you a blessed Samhain, and all the love and support you need to navigate the journey.
xo
Serena
If you are in the Toronto area and interested in celebrating Samhain with me, there’s still a bit of space in our Samhain Circle: Blessings Beyond the Veil, if you wish to join! If you are not in this area, know that the next Hearthfire Circle will be online for Winter Solstice. I hope to see you then!
Ahh, the Fall Equinox. Introverts rejoice, as we begin to naturally follow the Earth Mother’s lead and draw our energy inwards. Time to cozy up with some tea and our favourite book, movie or do some journaling!
As the trees drop their leaves and the earth energy flows down to nourish its roots, we too must release any excess burdens or energy drains. Our energy also draws downwards to our roots- Our internal, emotional foundations, our ancestral inheritance, as well as our spiritual needs.
We often associate Fall and Winter with barrenness. However, much life is continuing beneath the earth, even if unseen. Likewise, Fall reminds us of the fertility that lies in the rich soil of our inner lives, which will be the garden we tend over the colder months ahead. Our attention turns to the life that is stirring in the invisible and intangible realms.
Our spirit has so much to say to us now- we simply need to slow down and tune into its whispers. Take a walk in the woods, clear your mind with meditation or movement, soak in a warm bath or engage in your favourite hobby to let your deepest thoughts and feelings bubble up to be felt, seen, heard and noticed.
As the sun energy wanes, we enter a point of balance between light and dark, before the darkness reigns. This point of balance is something very special that only happens twice a year at each Equinox. I find the Equinoxes to be very powerful times that show us where we are out of balance and how to correct it. We are given the gift of a balanced perspective that takes both outer realities and inner needs equal consideration, which is ideal for decision-making, implementing better habits, and making plans and goals for the future.
This is also a ripe season for shadow work and healing. We may feel waves of grief as some things naturally end or are released, and we may feel desires or emotions we’ve repressed coming up to be felt or expressed. It is a time of transformation, as we compost the old and make space for the new. It is a wonderful time to allow parts of ourselves we may have pushed away to come into our awareness for integration.
It is also a season of awakening to our inner magic and connecting with our inner Witch. Whether you identify as a Witch, Priestess, Pagan, Mage, Druid, or other earth-based or alternative practitioner, this is a time where we can notice and heal any areas of shame or fear of this part of ourself, any conditioning we had growing up or simply from being in a society that has for centuries demonized earth-based spiritual traditions.
Many of us carry a ‘Witch Wound’, which is a collective wound rooted in our ancestral memory and DNA from persecution and death related to the burning times in Europe, colonisation, patriarchy, capitalism and religious extremism, which for many is still carrying a traumatic charge. This can make it challenging for us to fully embody our power and nourish our spiritual life.
Healing this wound is layered and takes time, patience and gentle reconnection and reclaiming of our magic and power. This wounding can manifest in many ways, namely in fearing our own power, intuition and voice. If you wish to explore this more, and begin the process of reclaiming your magic, you can join us at our online Fall Equinox Circle: Season of the Witch on Sept 20th!
Perhaps this autumn will be a ripe time to explore your magical self in new ways or begin a path of inner healing? May this season bring you a harvest of abundance for all that you’ve been giving and doing, and initiate a rewarding inner journey for the months to come.
Fall Equinox Oracle Reading:
Now, let’s see what this season has in store for you!
Take a moment to ground and centre yourself. Take 3 deep relaxing breaths. Then ask: “What do I need to know for the season ahead?“
You also may wish to ask a specific question, such as “How should I approach _____?“
Then gaze at the image below and choose your card:
Seasons of the Witch Mabon Oracle by Anderson, Diaz & Lukovic
Remember that number! Now scroll down to find your card. Descriptions are by the deck’s authors.
Scarecrow: Guardian, You have help, Support
Remember that you are not alone. Move with confidence as you are guided. Your higher self chose this card because you need to be reminded that you are looked after, cared for and protected. You may feel as though there are many dangers lurking about, and while they may be near they will have little impact on your life as a whole. You can move forward with your plans knowing a favorable outcome is in your near future.
You may feel the presence of your spiritual guardians through a sudden feeling of warmth spreading through your body, a tingling on the back of your neck or a sense of peace, as though suddenly all your troubles have been washed away. These and similar sensations are your guides sending you support and confirmation that you have cosmic help working on your behalf.
Trust in the cosmic forces and know that the timing may not be what you’re expecting, but it will always be right on time. Scarecrow may also present itself to you when you have been facing a particularly difficult situation that seems too great to face on your own. Receiving this card is your confirmation that physical help is on the way and you won’t have to struggle for much longer. You may receive an unexpected windfall, a call from someone offering support, a chance encounter or a life-changing opportunity.
2. Cranberries: Ancestral Roots, Connections, Power, Claiming or Reclaiming
Devour the truth and let it sink into the depths of all that came before and all that will come after. Your higher self chose this card because your ancestors are waiting for you. The red color of cranberries instantly brings to mind the blood connection of ancestral healing, and it is through your ancestors that intuitive wisdom is passed down. They wait patiently for you to connect with them so they can offer the wisdom, strength and power that is available to you by right via the blood within your veins.
You don’t need a connection with your living relatives to establish a bond with your ancestors. They are available to you even if you don’t know their names, faces or the details of your family tree. You will recognize them through a feeling of comfort and familiarity, offer up your troubles and ask for your ancestors’ support. They will clear away blocks, push away dark clouds looming over your life and open the floodgates of abundance.
To establish this bond with your ancestors, simply close your eyes and offer up your prayers. Ask that only benevolent, loving ancestors seek you out, then speak with them as you would any other guide, the universe, god or god-like figure.
Pay close attention to the winds; there’s a message making its way. Your higher self chose this card because a message is coming your way and is warning you to keep an eye our for important signs and clues of what’s to come. Nothing truly manifests without some warning; the signs might be subtle but they have been prompting you your entire life.
You might feel a sensation such as a tingle in your neck or perhaps a decision gives you a sense of dread. You might have an idea that instantly lifts your spirits or feel some electricity when you meet someone new. All of these sensations are clues that attempt to steer you towards a rewarding life.
Pulling the Crow card is a sign to trust in your intuition, especially in the coming days. You may be quick to dismiss your feelings as being silly, and perhaps they are in many societies. However, you’re connected to the spirit realm, where all things are possible and the only right answer is the one that gives you a feeling of peace, joy and success. Trust in your ability to read the messages of the universe and know there is always a pathway to safety for those who know where to look.
Be fierce about the ways in which you protect yourself. Allies await. Your higher self chose this card because not everyone can handle the sting of hot peppers and will go out of their way to avoid them at all costs. The heat is too overwhelming and feels like too much of an effort in pursuit of a great meal. In a strange way, boundaries are a lot like peppers: Some people will try to step on you and take advantage of you, and are only willing to be in your personal orbit as long as you agree with them. However, the moment you begin to demand respect, you might find that many people simply cannot handle it when you serve them a little heat.
The Peppers card is here to confirm that anyone or anything you lose by establishing boundaries will be replaced with people who can stand your heat. You will go on to find people who understand your need for respect and won’t try to take advantage of you, and will listen in earnest without dismissing your opinions because they don’t align with theirs. Establishing boundaries also helps build confidence. The more you practice saying ‘No’ the more you take back your power from those who seek to steal or stamp it out.
Some believe when eating very hot peppers it’s better to keep going than to stop, because stopping makes the heat more intense whereas continuing allows you to slowly desensitize. Habits are no different. They are difficult at first, but with time you’ll begin to expect respect and will make no time for those who don’t offer it.
5. Apothecary Cabinet: Tools, Need to Develop Skills, Hard Work
Without practice, without befriending them, they are strangers on your path. Your higher self chose this card because your journey is just beginnings, even if it feels as though you have walked this road for ages.
There are skills, resources or tools you need before you can begin the work of calling in those big dreams. For example, when attempting to manifest more wealth, consider whether you need to overcome limited financial stories or destructive money habits that are sabotaging your efforts. Receiving a loving partner may be blocked to you until you do inner work on loving yourself. Experiencing supportive friendships may require you to eliminate friendships that are toxic and draining. Taking the time to do this inner work now will save you many days, months or even years of starting over.
Your soul has selected this card to gently encourage you to be honest about where you are in your journey and what’s realistically needed to begin to see results. All transformation begins with awareness, and starting where you are is the first step towards a radical shift in your situation. Your life could be completely different six months from now with the right tools at your disposal and a willingness to do the work.
6. Grieving: Grief, Mourning, Deep Sorrow, Heartbreak
The chambers of your mourning are surrounded by nothingness, emptiness waiting to be seen. Your higher self chose this card because grief isn’t just about the death of a loved one. Mourning is defined as ‘feeling regret or sadness about the loss or disappearance of something’. You can grieve the end of a career, a move from one place to another, letting go of a dream, or seeing your children leave the nest.
While grief isn’t pleasant, it’s important to acknowledge the loss of something or someone that was important to you. Doing so doesn’t reduce the love you had for what you’ve lost but it does give you a way to let go an move on. To ignore your sadness is to deny a meaningful part of your life story.
Pulling Grieving is an opportunity to embrace the heavy emotions you have been carrying. Express the fullness of your heartache as a tribute to what once was, and then once you have cried, screamed, gotten angry or sad, your spirit will be free. It’s only when you deny your grief that it becomes baggage. Will you be sad from time to time? Of course. Memories have a way of creeping in even with a healthy grief process, but it won’t be a constant thorn in your soul.
7. Queen of the Dead: Embracing Your Dark Side, Naughtiness, Using Darkness for Good
Fear not the rage of fire living within, for it is the power of your fierceness waiting to taste you fully. Your higher self chose this card because you need to learn to be unafraid of your soul’s darker, naughtier side. There is a deep power within you that you may feel would be scary or too much to handle if you unleashed it.
Perhaps you fear what you might become if you were seduced by your shadowy aspects. Would you become too ambitious or power hungry or sacrifice your beliefs in pursuit of fame and fortune? Would you hurt people or forget your roots? Would you succumb to anger and find yourself difficult to get along with? These are all noteworthy fears but they shouldn’t prevent you from integrating both sides of your spiritual being.
Queen of the Dead is tempting you to explore and use darkness for good. Rage, ambition, jealousy and manipulation can be channeled for a good cause. Rather than viewing them as being bad, see them as opportunities for evolution and growth. These energies can be useful, and your willingness to work with rather than against your demons is key for showing them the way to the light.
8. Foraging: Authenticity, Hidden Talents, Acting Upon Your Uniqueness, Effort
There is no better feeling than having gone after what you desire. Your higher self chose this card because sometimes you need to go out looking for food even though the grocery store is just down the road. Although the store is convenient, your life dish may require an ingredient the store can’t offer, or perhaps your soul is seeking a more authentic flavor experience that is unique to you.
The Foraging card has found you because it’s time to get up, go out into the world and discover all that is waiting for you to pick up and put inside your basket. It’s tempting to take the easier road, but that path is crowded with hoards of people attempting to do the same. They look the same, do the same things, and are ultimately lost in a sea of conformity and ordinariness: nothing that stands out from the crowd. By taking the road less traveled you could stumble upon an undiscovered patch of greatness. What makes you unconventional, strange or completely different? You may not think being eccentric is a strength, but your quirks are what set you apart from everyone else.
Receiving this card is an opportunity to discover and embrace your hidden talents and act on them. Perhaps you feel like you have nothing special to offer, but you most certainly do. Truffles are one of the most coveted and expensive foods yet they are notoriously difficult to find. They are always at the base of a tree, and generally buried below the soil, hidden from the naked eye. What makes you unique is just the same, and you may need to dig deeper. It may require significant effort, but what you’ll discover will be worth its weight in gold.
Did your card resonate? I hope it did.
If you’d like to receive a more personalized reading, join us for our online circle on Friday Sept 20th, 2024 at 7pm EST for Fall Equinox Circle: Season of the Witch! We will discuss the themes of the season, talk about the Witch Wound, go on a guided meditation journey and each participant receives an oracle card reading and $15 off a Tarot Reading or Spiritual Coaching session with me! Hope to see you there.
Blessed First Harvest! This season is also celebrated as Lammas, Lughnasadh and Gwyl Awst, which each have their regional variations but are very similar. I call it First Harvest for simplicity, as it is the first of three harvest festivals. This is the harvest of grain, followed by the harvest of fruits and vegetables at Autumn Equinox and then the harvest of the hunt at Samhain.
At First Harvest, traditions celebrate the harvesting of grains such as oats, wheat and barley, which are baked into bread. It honors skills and crafts, the God Lugh, and coming together in community to share our bounty, creations and wares.
As we enter this extended harvest period, the universe calls us to begin a process of integration, learning, and gathering wisdom from our toils since the beginning of the year. We can think back to Imbolc season (approx. February 1st-March 21st) and see how our visions and goals for the year have manifested. Some themes from that time may come back into our life for review now.
For those living agricultural lifestyles, this is a busy time of much labor and hard work. Farmers, gardeners and those who work with the earth are aware of the need to process and organise the harvest into something sustainable for the future, such as separating the wheat from the chaff, drying, storing, canning, preserving, etc. Cooking and creating medicines from our harvest is another wonderful way to strengthen our bond with Mother Earth and nourish the soul.
Even if we are not gardeners or farmers, we may be processing the results of our work over the last six months and organising this into something that can be shared with others or that will sustain us in the future. We can honor the abundance of the Earth at this time through supporting local farmers at markets, eating seasonal foods, crafting something in honor of the earth, or supporting local artisans.
Our ‘harvest’ can come in many forms- tangible and intangible. While materialistic values reign in this world, this does not lessen the value and importance of our inner work. We can honor the accomplishment of any personal healing that we’ve been working on, brave steps we’ve taken, small goals we’ve achieved, any growth in our mental or emotional wellness, spiritual life, friendship, family, emotional satisfaction, inspiration, or other ways goodness has flourished in our lives.
Take some time to acknowledge all your efforts and allow gratitude to swell within your heart this season. Gratitude opens us up to even more abundance.
In an area of life where our harvest is low, we may need to be more discerning and creative with our resources. We can focus on investing limited resources where they are needed most. Where our harvest is more bountiful, we can share, give and support others. It is a time to tune into the flow of reciprocation in our lives- giving and receiving, expressing and listening, and adjusting the flow to be more sustainable and beneficial to ourselves and others.
During this year’s First Harvest season, we have a Mercury Retrograde period from August 5th-27th, which adds a twist of the unexpected and an even more reflective quality to this season, as pieces of the past come up to be processed and integrated. As we remember the past, we can see how far we’ve come and let go of what we no longer need to hold onto.
Embrace slow medicine and give yourself some extra time and space to become deeply present in mind, body, heart and soul. This is a wonderful opportunity to gain a new perspective on something you’ve been doing a certain way for a while, which may need to shift. Be open to twists and turns that will take you where you really need to be, rather than where you thought you’d be. Relax into the moment and go with the flow. Trust that all is supporting our highest good.
Take 3 deep breaths to clear your energy and relax. Once you are grounded and centered, ask:
“What do I need to know for this First Harvest season?”
Then, choose a card from the photo below. Scroll down to reveal each card and its meaning.
First Harvest Reading with The Gentle Tarot by Mariza Ryce Aparicio-Tovar
Remember that number! Now scroll down to find it. Descriptions are my own words except those in italics, which are of the deck’s author.
The Moon- Delve into your depths to find the treasure
There’s a lot going on under the surface right now. Like a deep lake, you can see more clearly when the waters are still. Take this as an invitation to slow down and find stillness. Your heart may be telling a different story than your mind, and so you have to get off the hamster wheel to hear your inner truth. It is likely that your inner truth is spilling over into your nighttime dreams, so if you can, record your dreams and take time to process and learn from them. Harvest the wisdom that lies deep within, and separate it from any illusions you’ve ascribed to. This takes some time and effort, and a willingness to let go of the typical mundane grind. What helps you ease into an intuitive, peaceful frame of mind? Music? Movement? Meditation? Find your pathway opener. Then allow the treasures of your inner truth to bubble up into your awareness. All will fall into place once you make space for your inner wisdom.
What has your intuition been saying lately? Is there a calling that you have buried? What does your wild side have to say about the present life you live?
2. Judgement- Rise up and claim your power
This card is not so much about judgement, as it is about acceptance. Once we’ve accepted all that we are, all that we’ve been through, flaws, shadow, imperfections and all- can we feel truly empowered. This is a time of reckoning, of meeting your wholeness and an invitation to claim all of it. Be all of it. You are the fullness of your life experiences, and these have created the beautiful work of art that is you in this moment. We are always changing, shedding skins and evolving. Honour the unique and challenging path that brought you here. You are enough. You are beautiful, just as you are. Rise up from the ashes and stand in your power. The world needs your unique perspective and energy to make it a better place. What aspects of yourself do you feel ashamed of? Can you bring some tender loving care to those parts of yourself right now? Perhaps journaling this part of yourself or speaking to a loved one or therapist may be helpful at this time. This is an invitation to level-up, reclaim your power and begin anew with the wisdom of your experience.
Like this snake has freshly shed her skin, rise up to meet your higher self. Fulfill the promise you made to yourself upon arrival to this Earth, follow your true vocation.
3. The Emperor- Embrace your inner authority
You are the boss of your own life. Does it feel like you are? If not, perhaps bringing in a more supportive routine, structure or boundaries would be helpful at this time. Your energy is precious and it may be leaking out in certain aspects of your life. It is easy to get caught up in the needs of others, distractions, or scattering our energy in many directions. What this card calls for is a remembering of your inner authority, and a call to take yourself a bit more seriously. You are majestic and powerful. Does your life reflect this belief?
Re-assess your priorities. Re-connect with your personal goals. Create a schedule that honors these priorities and goals. Set boundaries with people who have too much access to your energy or who pull you off track. You may be grappling with issues with an authority figure in your life or even inside of you. There may be a perpetual habit of keeping yourself small because it feels safe. Or perhaps you’re being too hard on yourself. This can take time to heal. You can start small by reminding yourself that you are the boss of your own life. You are responsible first and foremost to yourself. You decide how to use your own energy. Claim your inner Sea Lion and show the world you’re worth it and you mean business!
4. Two of Stones- Stay grounded yet flexible!
Circumstances may have you balancing several things at once, which may be causing some overwhelm. You must stay grounded, yet flexible. If there is too much on your plate, delegate. Let go of what is unnecessary. You must find the balance that is sustainable for you. Even with adjustments, you may find you need to be a bit more flexible and adaptable than usual, but this will help you achieve what you’re aiming for and increase your skills. Mercury is retrograde, so things may come up out of left field forcing you to pivot or make changes to your plans. Don’t fret, as this experience is helping to move you in a better direction. Be light on your feet, go with the flow, and be open to doing things a different way. Be patient with the process and trust all is moving in the right direction, even if it seems a bit chaotic at times. You are strong, wise, and capable. Move with the grace and lightness of the woman in the card. You’ve got this!
When we surrender control, we gain opportunity. Embrace your courage and your strength.
5. Five of Thunder- Know when to surrender and let go
There are times in life where we must work and grind, push up against impossible odds, or fight for what we believe in. And then there are times where fighting is futile, and the more effort we put forth, the worse things get. As we grow wiser, we recognise that we must choose our battles and use our energy in ways that are most productive and life-affirming. This card in an invitation to put down your sword and let go. You’ve reached a limit. Perhaps you’ve been pushing in a direction that is not yielding results or is causing more harm than good to your well-being or that of others. Permission to pause, surrender and restore your energy. Ask for the help you need. This doesn’t necessarily mean you’ve lost, it just may mean you must find a new way to go forward. Take the time you need to rest and reflect on the situation. Process your feelings through journaling, art, physical activity or talking to a trusted friend. There is also an invitation of acceptance here- accept of the reality of this present moment, the truth of a situation, and the limitations of others or your own. It’s time to make inner peace a priority right now.
No need to climb to the tippity-top of this mountain, maybe you are just fine where you are and your path has other plans for you, another destination.
6. Root of Thunder- Be clear with your mission, and express with precision
You feel confident and ready to move forward on something. But before you jump full speed ahead, remember Mercury is going retrograde, meaning that some thoughtfulness and caution may be necessary first. You may find this time is helpful for clarifying your mission, plans, or intentions, or refine how you wish to express yourself. The details do matter, and if you slow down, you might find that the extra time spent will create a better outcome. Sometimes we run a hundred miles in the wrong direction. Keep your confidence, keep your faith, but take some time to refine your mission and execution. Get clear on your intentions and goals. Then maybe do a bit more research- do you know exactly where you’re headed? Is this the best path forward? Perhaps some extra preparation could go a long way? Is there another way to achieve what you desire? How might this land on others? Getting clear and precise with your energy will ensure you hit your mark. Patience is your ally. What is meant for you won’t pass you by.
Are you expressing and living your whole truth? Are you being compassionate and considerate to others? It is ok to take up space, but balance is essential.
7. The Fool- Open up to something new!
Nothing ventured, nothing gained! This is an invitation to trust your instincts. You may be venturing into new territory, wanting to try something for the first time or stepping out of your comfort zone. An air of innocence permeates your situation, and with it attracts the benevolence of the universe. Sure, there will be challenges ahead and perhaps some detours along the way, but you need to start somewhere, and listen to that little voice inside you coaxing you towards a new adventure. What is your heart pulling you towards? What are you feeling curious about? With Mercury Retrograde, you may wish to seek out guidance from those who’ve traveled there before or do a bit of research first, so you don’t get in over your head. Give yourself permission to experiment, make mistakes and have a beginner’s mind. Hold your vulnerability sacred. This may be the first small step towards a dream that is resurfacing from the past, or one you’ve held for some time. Be open to new experiences and ways of doing things. Wandering and meandering about can be great ways to get inspired.
Now is the time to be in the moment, to be fearless, to change paths, to be spontaneous, to trust. Uninhibited, you follow your heart’s desires. The entire universe supports your every move.
8. Temperance- Balance and moderation in all things
Sometimes life around us is divided and full of extremes. You may have felt pressured to ramp up your intensity or volume and strain to be heard and seen, or to take a big risk to get what you need. You may have overdone or over-indulged in something. Now is the time to come back into balance. Gentleness and moderation are called for. Where in your life are things out of balance? What has been taking its toll on your body, mind or spirit? Or all three?
Where you feel weakness, invite strength and confidence. Where you feel stress, invite ease and peace. Where you feel burdened, invite lightness and freedom. Your health and well-being depend on balance. What is your body asking for now? Spending time in nature can help restore harmony within, reminding you of your connection to the innate balance of the universe. Now is the time to invite balance into your diet, your exercise routine, your emotional connections, your work life and your mind.
Balance is key to having clear thoughts and clear ears for listening to your heart’s pull.
I hope your card resonated! I wish you an abundant First Harvest season and a beautiful rest of summer. If you are interested in going deeper with a more personalised Tarot Reading, don’t hesitate to reach out!
“Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”
— Mary Oliver, The Summer Day
At Summer Solstice, the Sun reaches its peak light, illuminating our deepest dark corners and strengthening us for the darker half of the year. The Earth Mother blooms in fullness, sharing her many gifts and medicines with the world, infused with the sun’s life force.
Here, we reach a culmination, a peak moment, a turning point in the year. I often think of the Summer Solstice as a moment of truth- where we can no longer hide from our deepest longings or avoid the reality in front of us.
The Solstice means ‘sun standing still’, and so the light shines on us in its fullness to see all we need to see, and feel all we need to feel, so we can let go of what holds us back and move forward in more nourishing, aligned ways.
The light shines on our lives to show us where we’ve reached the end of something- a habit, a dream, a relationship or way of being that no longer feels true or supportive for us. This is for our liberation and growth. We are changing and some things just don’t fit anymore, and that’s ok! We can make the necessary shifts we need. It can be a time of fated experiences, important connections and meaningful moments that etch themselves on our soul.
Summer Solstice is not only a time of clarity, illumination and endings, but also a time for new beginnings and expression. It aligns with the Sun moving into the nurturing water sign, Cancer, a cardinal sign, which means it initiates new beginnings (every sign on the solstices and equinoxes initiate a new season!). This new energy brings our attention to our home, inner life, our sensitivity, mothering, self-care, nourishment, family, roots and lineage.
We may begin to feel more in touch with our emotions, physical and creative desires, and inner child. This is an excellent time to dig into our past and childhood to heal sources of our current blockages or pain. It is also a ripe time to reflect on our inherited generational gifts and lessons and think about what kind of ancestor we wish to be for the future generations.
There is also a Full Moon in Capricorn happening around the Solstice this year, which turns up the emotional intensity and bring more awareness of the balance between our inner needs and our responsibilities and the structures we have in our life. The energy will help us to release energy drains, and create more soul-nourishing structures and goals- ones that make space for our spiritual growth and self-nurturance.
Some reflection questions for this Solstice/Full Moon:
What do you want to do with this one wild and precious life?
What kind of ancestor do you wish to be?
What brings you joy?
What if you took your needs, feelings and dreams more seriously?
What is bubbling up from your inner cauldron to be expressed and shared with the world?
Summer Solstice 2022
Summer Solstice Oracle Reading:
In honour of the Earth Mother’s bounty this time of year, I thought I’d bring out the Magickal Herb Oracle by Cheralyn Darcey & Deer Dandy.
This is a great time to work with plant allies- as there are so many herbs and flowers at our disposal now. These cards each have a specific plant and a message to go with it. It may be a starting point for you to begin a bond with a new plant spirit in the weeks to come!
Start by taking 3 deep relaxing breaths. Let go of any expectations. Then, gazing at the circle of cards below, ask “What plant energy do I need most right now?” and choose a card. Remember its number and then scroll down to find the description below.
(Descriptions are in the words of the deck’s author, Cheralyn Darcey.)
Magickal Herb Oracle by Cheralyn Darcey & Deer Dandy
Remember that number! Scroll down to find it.
Balance- Passionflower
A return to centre is needed and may also be offered. Have you taken something too far, or maybe not reached out enough? Now is the time to come back to a more harmonious and even place. Stability is what you should be focused on at the moment, and rash actions and decisions are to be tempered. Now is not the time to take a risk, but rather to step back just a little and see what transpires. You may find you need to get more rest or time away, or retreat a little.
Magickal Uses: Love, sleep, balance, visions, peace, friendship. Amazon natives have used Passionflower as an addition to ayahuasca-based brews to deepen and magnify their visions. When strewn on the floor of a home, the flowers can end disharmony, and bathing is or carrying Passionflower creations will help you attract a lover.
2.Expansion- Ephedra
There is an opportunity for development and even the end of challenges that may have been difficult. It is time to look for a new direction or to examine more closely any possibilities that have presented themselves to you. Change is coming, but it may be more demanding than you anticipate before you get your bearings. There may be a betrayal that is very hard to accept. If you have been suffering from any challenge, this is a reminder to stop stewing in your anger, sadness or grief and move on.
Magikcal Uses: Longevity, immortality, lust, sex. Ephedra is used in magickal work to increase awareness and uncover the unknown. It has been used in China where it is known as ma huang as a medicine and in spiritual practice. It is native to China & Mongolia.
3. Attraction- Parsley
Someone or something is going to hold your attention and tempt you. It is also likely you will find yourself the focus of someone else’s attention. There are other opportunities coming along soon, so don’t be dissuaded by setbacks, as a bigger picture is about to emerge. Something may end, but it will make way for a needed change and better times ahead. Better luck and happiness is around, and there are indications of a sort of rebirth that is greatly empowered, hardier and more successful than before. Romance is also suggested.
Magickal uses: Purification, protection, ending bad luck, divination, love. It was believed that sprinkling food with herbs, in particular parsley, would protect the food from both physical and energetic contamination. This is where the practice of garnishing comes from.
4. Flow- Ginko
If you are challenged in any way, then you are being offered hope and the resilience required. There is the possibility of achievement if you simply go with the flow, but you need to be patient, as things must take their natural course and time. Although this is the case, balance still has to be found, and perhaps some moderation should be practiced to help find it. You may discover that looking at your personal motivations and your recent reactions will lead to a greater understanding. This is a period of rest and a recharge could be of value now.
Magickal uses: Business, dreams, beauty, love, healing. After soaking dried Ginko nuts in water, place them in the bedroom to inspire love and enhance your beauty. Plant the nuts to celebrate the birth of a child, and it will ensure long life. Ginko wood can be made into amulets or pieces carried to ensure health and instigate healing.
5. Desire- Damiana
The pursuit of what you long for and the achievement of its obtainment are indicated. Something you long for could be in the spotlight and having a greater ripple effect through your life than usual. Is this a good thing? Perhaps, but be careful your desires do not cloud your focus or true purpose. Ambitions, passions and goals are all in a state of progression, as are calculated risks. A very important concern will come into your life shortly that needs your full commitment and attention. Relationships become more physical and passionate.
Magikcal uses: Lust, love, sex, desire, psychic abilities, clairvoyance. This herb assists in releasing inhibitions and hesitation. It can be used to heighten connection with magickal energies and to enhance visions and psychic abilities. Sprinkled lightly on the food of someone you desire can increase their passion and interest in you.
6. Activation- Yerba Mate
Now is the time to begin something new, put plans into action or put more energy into a project or situation. You can do what it is you desire. Not everyone around you may share your enthusiasm for a concept, idea or the path you are undertaking or considering, but you shouldn’t let that stop you. Physical action needs to be undertaken, as hesitation or failure to do so may mean a loss.
Magickal uses: Health, lust, love, energy, friendship. Yerba Mate has long been used as an aphrodisiac and in love, sex and lust magick. A potion created from it that is then shared by a couple will ensure they stay together forever. It could be a good idea to keep a little bottle of it somewhere, as you can always break the spell if need be by pouring it on the ground.
7. Compassion- Marshmallow
Trust your inner feelings and let them lead you a little more strongly. Spiritual energy will be very high, so perhaps fulfillment or illumination in this aspect of life will be easier to obtain. This is a time of giving, of looking out for others and taking a more supportive role. Remember that the more you give, the more you will receive, and in ways that may not be apparent in the first instance. Listen more that you talk, give more than you take and bend a little more than usual.
Magickal uses: Protection, psychic abilities, attract good spirits, marriage, persuasion, calm. Having marshmallow nearby when you perform spells will encourage good spirits and deities to assist you. The flowers are particularly good for love spells and blessings. Marshmallow is also regarded as an herb of persuasion, and carrying some on you will make others more likely to agree with you.
8. Abundance- Wild Yam
There is an indication of an increase in resources for you. Situations should be turning into a positive outcome or staying that way, and if you are looking for an answer, it is ‘yes’. An addition to your family or your circle of friends or even a new facet of life should be coming along shortly. Luck is also on your side at the moment. Make very sure you share any good fortune that comes your way and be careful of over-indulgence, obsession, pipe-dreaming and waste.
Magickal uses: Fertility, sex, pregnancy, childbirth, love, increases, healing. This herb is also known as devil’s bone, especially in the field of magick. Traditionally, it has been wrapped in a red cloth and carried to ensure vigorous health and a strong constitution. It can also be carried to attract a new love interest.
I hope your message resonated, and that the light of the Solstice brings you the clarity, healing and blessings you need!
If you are in or near Toronto, ON, please join us in-person on Friday, June 21st, 2024 for our Summer Solstice Circle: Magickal Plant Allies. We will go on a guided meditation journey to connect with a plant ally, create herbal charm sachets, feast and celebrate together!
Imbolc Blessings! We have come upon the beautiful season of Imbolc, which means ‘in the belly’- Referring to lactating ewes. This season honors the process of incubation and nurturing new life- whether it is a dream for the future or creative projects. It is a time for preparation and planning, and clearing our path so we can more easily manifest our desires.
We still have more hours of darkness than light, so it is an ideal time for healing and integrating our shadow, doing our inner work and clearing debris from our past. The light is increasing, bringing hope, inspiration and new resources to help us release what weighs us down and support our personal healing.
The Goddess Brigid is venerated this time of year, lady of fertility, healing, creativity and new life. May she bring us the clarity and inspiration we need to move forward and help us to manifest our dreams!
Imbolc is also a season of divination. Traditions of weather divination continue today as we observe the behaviour of groundhogs, badgers, snakes to fortell how many weeks of winter remain.
Of course, any time is a great time for divination in my books, so let’s see what’s ahead for us this Imbolc season, shall we?
I am very excited to have just received the newly released deck- Seasons of the Witch Imbolc Oracle!
This is part of the Seasons of the Witch series by Lorraine Anderson and Juliet Diaz- they created a deck for each of the 8 seasonal festivals. I am slowly collecting them all! The artwork is beautiful, the writing impactful and I just love having a deck devoted to the energies of each season on the wheel. They are going to become a staple in each of my Hearthfire Circles from now on!
The Imbolc deck focuses on self-care and self-healing through the season, helping us to overcome obstacles on our path.
Let’s get started. Take a moment now to ground and centre yourself. Take a few deep relaxing breaths and quiet your mind. When you feel calm and present, you may wish to ask yourself ‘What do I need to know for Imbolc season?’ Open your eyes and gaze at the cards below and choose your card…
Seasons of the Witch Imbolc Oracle by Lorraine Anderson & Juliet Diaz. Illustrated by Tijana Lukovic
Once you’ve chosen your card scroll down to find it’s meaning below. Meanings are from the deck’s authors.
“Go where your spirit dwells, where your sight is clear and your breath is liberated.”
You may be experiencing a very emotional or stressful time when you receive the Amethyst card: perhaps a situation has gotten out of hand and you aren’t sure how you’re going to resolve the matter. Amethyst is considered to be both a stone of spiritual connection and helpful in seeking sobriety, which suggests the answer to your question is likely a balance between spiritual and practical means. Taking time to clear your mind in meditative practice could help in seeking a solution or provide info for your next steps. It is up to you to put the guidance you have received into practice.
Connecting with cosmic intelligence has no useful power if you are unwilling or unmotivated to act upon this gift of wisdom. Trust that your intuition is correct and will guide you to the right outcome. Additionally, this card encourages you to find productive ways to manage stress and warns of the destructive habit of playing the victim. Perhaps you feel powerless against your impulses, but giving in to temptation can lead to further heartache. While it may not be easy, there is a way out of your circumstances because deep down you know what to do even if you don’t want to do it.
2.Bathing Ritual– Healing, washing away negativity or what does not belong, preparing for success
“With you, water spirit, I wash away what no longer serves me and drink in spells that call for healing.”
Receiving this card is a good omen that a new beginning is very close at hand. However, there is still a little healing to do before you can welcome a fresh phase. There are remnants of a past experience that are still negatively influencing your choices and what you’re calling into existence. You may not even be consciously aware of just how much emotional or spiritual weight you are still carrying. You may wish to consider reaching out to a professional if you feel called to help you access those areas of your life that are in need of healing so you can safely process and move forward.
Each time you confront the challenges of your past you open up a little more space, which allows you to fill your life with more joy, abundance and love. Pulling this card is a sign that now is not quite the right time to move forward with your plans, although you are not very far away from the light at the end of the tunnel. Skipping over this critical healing step could derail any future success you might have. Instead, invest in this act of self-care, washing away what no longer serves the person you are becoming.
3.Coming of Spring- Preparing for rebirth, reaching for the light, renewal, surge of hope
“Beneath my feet stir the waking, spiraling surges of warmth that tell of life ready to birth.”
Imbolc marks the beginning of the end of winter, letting you know it’s time to begin your ascent out of the darkness. This card often finds you after a challenging situation or an emotional or spiritual crisis. You may have recently experienced a great shedding of what no longer serves you through the dissolution of a relationship or a dramatic end to a chapter in your life story. You are about to enter the stage of rebuilding from the ashes and can begin to allow hope and faith to enter your spirit again. This is a positive sign if you’re looking for new love or a new job.
This card indicates there are many prospects waiting for you when you’re ready to put yourself out there again. Perhaps the most important meaning of this card is that you have a wide open lane to fill your life with anything you choose. The possibilities for where you go next are endless, and you should entertain all opportunities that come your way because any of them are likely to yield positive results.
4. Casserole- Alignment, bringing things together in a harmonious way
“Trust in the flavors that led you here, an unexpected alignment. Let it move you in ways that capture your soul.”
This card will appear when lifetime or long-term connections are being formed. Receiving it suggests the presence of a soulmate, angel investor, or business partner and potentially a new addition to your family such as a child or fur baby. It could also represent finding your life calling or settling in a place that feels like home. Much like a casserole, this new connection indicates a feeling of warmth, familiarity and comfort. You can expect this relationship to be harmonious, for there to be a feeling of belonging together like mac and cheese.
Don’t allow doubt to spoil things when this feeling appears in your life. The attachment you have or are building is very likely to be reliable and fits into the moving parts of your life with ease. If you’re inquiring about bringing things together such as a group of friends or blending a family, this card is confirmation that everyone involved will find joy with one another.
For questions related to finances, this card suggests financial stability and comfort. You may experience financial windfalls or be blessed with an opportunity to create long-term wealth.
“It is unwise to walk beyond the boundaries you have yet to expand on. Protection among all else.”
Pulling the Garlic card suggests there are people who are working against you, or perhaps that is your perception of the situation. There is likely resistance from others but it may not be as bad as you think. Whatever you are facing, receiving this card means you are more than capable of defending yourself against any attack you may face. You have what you have because of your hard work and dedication, and there is no one in your current orbit who has the power to take that from you. Any negativity you are experiencing is the result of someone whose own emotional traumas are being triggered, which is all about them, and not you. It may be unfortunate for them, but you are not required to entertain such behavior when it is hurtful to you.
Garlic Protection Spell:
This spell was learned by the author by an elderly Cuban woman. Carry it with you for a trip or flight or party or wherever you feel you want a little extra protection. You will need 1 garlic clove; 1/2 tsp of honey; a pinch of salt and aluminum foil.
Peel the garlic clove and make a slit in it that’s slightly smaller than its length. Cover the slit with honey and salt, making sure the salt sticks to the honey. While you are preparing this, focus your mind on your intention of protection. Wrap the clove in a small piece of foil so it won’t dirty your clothes or whatever you decide to carry it in.
6. Black Bear- Transcendence, the battle is easily won, personal power
“Your existence is the resistance, All you must do is accept the power awaiting your arrival.”
Bears are considered to be the top of the animal food chain, having no real threat from predators. Pulling the Black Bear card means you have done the work needed to find your authentic self. You have transcended to a higher level of consciousness but with the light comes shadow, and those who still dwell in the darkness will seek to take the light you’re now embodying.
This is not a bad card to receive, as it suggests you’re operating from a healthy level of self awareness. Protect yourself from any threat but remember to have compassion for those who have not yet battles their personal demons. Low-vibrational people are operating from a place of fear, and the lower the vibration the bigger their effort will be to lower yours. However, for you it’s no real fight at all and you are more than capable of handling anything that’s coming your way as long as you stand in your power. Authentic, mindful people stay at the top of the food chain.
7. Greenhouse- Sowing seeds, preparation, planning, setting things in motion, clear path
“May it be clear the intentions I sow in preparation for the path ahead.”
Greenhouse is one of the most positive cards in the deck, and pulling it means you are about to welcome a joyous new start. Unlike with other cards in the deck this fresh beginning is something you’ve chosen for yourself and are excited about. You have all of the potential to create something momentous; however, this card also warns you not to expect miracles. There will still be a lot of hard work, dedication and even some failures along the way, but the overall result will likely be very successful.
If you’re feeling stagnant or are in a challenging situation, this card encourages you to begin planting the seeds and preparing for a new idea or opportunity to drop into your lap. Dress for the job you wish to have, start researching things you’d do if you had the money or time or get together a plan of action for a goal even if you don’t have all the resources to make it happen. Receiving this card means the pathway is clear and you are covered by the safety of your cosmic greenhouse. You don’t need to wait until external conditions are right to move forward with your plans.
Did your message resonate? Let me know!
If you’d like to celebrate Imbolc in a warm and friendly space, please join us for our Online Imbolc Circle: Tending the Inner Hearth on Friday, Feb 9th, 2024 7pm-9pm EST! We will be discussing the themes of the season, awaken our inner hearth of inspiration, creativity and renewal with a guided journey and candle ritual.
We all carry the essence of the time we are born in. I believe this and have seen proof of these patterns, as a lifelong enthusiast and practitioner of astrology. As a Witch, I also see how we express the energies of the seasonal festival closest to our birthday. This is what I call our ‘Power Season’ because it relates to our vitality, creativity, and inner power. It is a time of year where we operate from a place of greater strength and energy, potentially making big strides forward in our lives. This is when our unique light shines bright.
Likewise, we have an opposing season, or what I call a ‘Balancing Season’- when our creative energy is lowered. During this low season, it can be a good time to recharge and refuel our creative cauldron. It is also a great time to integrate that season’s balancing energy to help us achieve greater wholeness. I invite you to read the description of your balancing season as well, as it is often our best teacher!
Remember- this is simply an added lens through which to get to know yourself, one that compliments astrology, not replaces it.
Find Your Power Season
In the modern witch’s calendar, the year is divided into 8 seasonal festivals. These 8 festivals take place at the Equinoxes, Solstices and the points between each of those.
Your birthday season is your Power Season. Find where your birthday falls in the list below. Your Power Season is the seasonal festival that is closest to your birthday. You may need to look at your calendar to see which one that is. Your birthday may fall right in the middle of two seasons, and thus you may carry some of the energy of both, as one season fades into the other. You can consider both festivals good times for using your creative power, and both balancing seasons good times for recharging your energies.
Winter Solstice- Approx Dec 21st
Imbolc- Feb 1st or early Feb
Spring Equinox- Approx March 21st
Beltane- May 1st or early May
Summer Solstice- Approx June 21st
Lammas- Aug 1st or early Aug
Fall Equinox- Approx Sept 21st
Samhain- Nov 1st or early Nov
Now, let us explore these seasonal festivals and how they resonate with your inner gifts and power..
Winter Solstice Approx Dec 21st – The Wise Witch
If Winter Solstice is your power season, you are the Wise One, Old Soul, carrier of elder energy. You are attuned to the ancestors, and value the wisdom held in traditions and the old ways. Perhaps you feel you’ve had many lives on earth and have knowledge you wish to pass onto others. Your life is one of collecting experiences that teach you to become stronger and wiser. You may choose to teach others as well. The darkness of this time of year doesn’t faze you as much as it does for others, because you have a strong core of self-reliance that holds you steady as you surrender to the Mystery. You can see in the dark with your intuitive senses. You can hold space for the unknown while your feet stay planted on the earth.
The festival of Winter Solstice is one of honoring endings and beginnings- processing all that the year has brought, and rekindling the hope of renewal as the light begins to slowly increase once again. It is a deep moment of stillness, reflection, rest and retreat, before the dawn.
You carry this essence of depth and of hope- the ability to straddle moments of death and rebirth in life for others. You may find yourself called to be in those moments of transition, loss, or challenge for other people. You enjoy the company of elders and feel a kinship with the ancient ones.
Your power lies in your internal strength, an inner light that blazes even when everything around you is in darkness. You are the solid rock others lean on when in need. You sometimes may feel you need to carry the world on your shoulders and have trouble asking for what you need. You feel like you must be always the responsible one or the authority. It may be too easy sometimes to get swallowed in darkness, grief, or pragmatism. Your focus may be past-oriented, as you glean wisdom from your past experiences or the wisdom of others who have tread the path before. You follow what has worked over time, and you are patient.
At the Winter Solstice, embrace solitude and really tap into the increased wisdom the year has brought you. Stand in your power gained through experience. Consider how you can share this wisdom and be a source of strength for others in the year to come.
Your Balancing Season:
Your balancing season is the Summer Solstice. Let this time be an invitation to step out of your usual role of authority and let yourself receive the earth’s gifts and replenish your deep reserves. Open up to the love, bounty and beauty around you.
The melting, softening, opening and blossoming energy of solstice may feel uncomfortable, dripping with excess, drama, or just too much sunlight! But the light, playful and expressive energy of summer solstice can help you remember that you can have fun, be silly and enjoy life! Receive the light into your being, so you can shine it for others in the dark. Read the description of Summer Solstice season for added insight.
Reflection: How do you embody wisdom? How do you integrate your playful, youthful side?
Imbolc- (Feb 1/Early Feb) The Visionary Witch
If Imbolc is your power season, you are the sparkling magic of sunlight on the snow, the gentle stirrings of new life deep in the belly of the Earth Mother. The cold may be harsh and unrelenting, yet the light has noticeably increased. Like a deer in a silent winter forest, your spiritual antennae are attuned to higher frequencies and your sensitivities are heightened to the energies around you. This attunement to subtle energies gives you an allure of mystery, as not everyone can hear what you hear or see what you see. Your sensitivity may also require added care and protection. Inspiration is what you seek to channel, as it fuels your visions of a brighter future and motivates your creativity.
The festival of Imbolc venerates the goddess Brigid, healer, poet, smith, and hearth-tender. It is a season of cleansing and preparing for new life, dedication to our spiritual path, and stoking our inner hearth of inspiration and creativity. It is a time where we envision the year ahead, and gently incubate the new life stirring within us.
Like the season, you may straddle the world of harsh reality with one of hope and possibility. You may find your sensitivity, spiritual orientation or unique perspective misunderstood by others or seen as impractical, but these are your gifts. You can see much farther ahead than most, feel collective energies stirring beneath the surface and can intuit things very accurately. The job of a visionary is to dream. To see possibilities, where others don’t. You embrace multiple perspectives, and make connections. The world needs your inspiring visions and goals. You are here to inspire hope, help others believe in magic, and create new ways of doing things.
During your power season, re-commit to your spiritual path and ideals. Tap into your creative visioning power! Dream a new dream and map out the way there. Trust your instincts and sensitivities. Your gentle nurturance is a gift for all life- you may wish to share it with young children, animals, plants, or ideas. Honour the preciousness of new life and tend to its needs.
Your Balancing season:
Your balancing season is Lammas. Let this time be an invitation to take a break from future-minding and get present to the earthly bounty around you. Soak up those warm rays on the beach, get deeply interested in the sand between your toes and nothing more. You may find this season uncomfortably physical or pragmatic. The land asks that we reap our harvest and contend with the results. Enjoy your harvest! The practical energy of this season helps you bring your dreams down to earth. Drying herbs, canning, pickling, crafting, and making bread are all good activities that help ground your expansive spirit into the here and now. Read about Lammas season for further insight.
Reflection: How do you embody the Visionary energy? How do you integrate your grounded, practical side?
Spring Equinox- (approx. Mar 21st) The Brave Witch
If Spring Equinox is your power season, you are the bright flame of rebirth, regeneration, and new life! As an early spring witch, you carry the essence of new beginnings, optimism, and brave action. Like the baby ram leaping about, or the relentless green shoots pushing through the soil, you are motivated to break new ground and enjoy doing it. The old ways of doing things don’t interest you. You seek to innovate, initiate, and move things forward. No matter how old you are, you carry a youthful, fresh, and innocent energy. Children are likely drawn to you, sensing a deep kinship. Life is your adventure, and the world is your oyster. You are sensitive to energy and can channel a large amount of it. Your motivation and optimism are contagious, like a flame that lights others’ awaiting wicks.
The festival of Spring Equinox is a celebration of new life and inspires taking tangible action. This is the time of year when we can begin to implement the creative visions we had in Imbolc season, bringing them into the material world and taking risks or bigger steps forward.
Like your power season, you love to start new things. Others may find your optimism childish or that you lack follow-through, but new beginnings are the job of the brave witch that you are! You know that you can’t manifest a dream if you don’t try. You are more likely to succeed in your endeavors than most, simply because you’re willing to act where others let fear prevent them from taking the first step. You may feel called to be that helping hand or voice that urges others to be brave, stand up for what they believe in or take a step towards their dreams. You may be an advocate for the vulnerable, or champion of the underdog, willing to put yourself in the line of fire if needed.
During your power season, take a stand, start something new, share your innovative energy in some way. It will have far-reaching effects. The world needs your brave warrior witch energy!
Your Balancing Season:
The Fall Equinox is your balancing season. This is where we begin our descent into the underworld and draw inward. You may find this season depressing or difficult, as the leaves fall, reminding you of what has been lost or ended. Let this be an invitation to take off your armor and give yourself a break from being the warrior. You deserve rest and recuperation too. Make a warm pot of your favourite tea, get cozy with a good book or pull out your journal. Let your heart melt and the tears flow. Your own inner child deserves the love, care and protection you give to everyone else. Read about Fall Equinox season for further insight.
Reflection: How do you embody bravery? How do you integrate your softer, reflective side?
Beltane- (May 1st/Early May) The Sensual Witch
If Beltane is your power season, you vibrate with the green earth, which is alive and beginning to show buds, leaves and flowers. The energy of growth is your magic, with a passion for manifesting tangible creations. You’re a very sensual being, in touch with your body and sexuality, trusting your physical instincts more than most. The vibrant spring energy you carry exudes strength, confidence, optimism, and beauty. You may have a green thumb or a talent for healing, cooking or art. There’s lots to do during this season- gardens and projects to plant, tend and cultivate. Likewise, you may find you are often busy and juggling many tasks at once. Like the butterfly, you may find yourself flitting from one thing to the next, sampling nectar from different flowers and bringing together different flavors or notes to create something new.
The festival of Beltane is a time to celebrate fertility and growth. We do rituals in celebration of the body, love, dancing and feasting. It is also a time for cleansing and protection from mischievous fairies as well.
The warmer weather brings people out and about, ready to mingle and socialise, and you may find you are often drawn out to connect with others, or simply enjoy nature. Beltane is a time of movement and growth, so you do not like to stagnate or stand still too long. There is too much to experience! You may find you have a knack for connecting people to one another and learning new things. Some may think you’re a bit scattered or lacking depth, but you are here to enjoy life and all it has to offer! Your diverse, tangible experiences enrich your life and enhance your skills. You always have a good story to bring to the table, or something beautiful to bestow upon the world.
During your power season, indulge in a new sensual experience, buy yourself new adornment, travel or learn a new skill! Share your fertile, sensual energy with others in creative and loving ways.
Balancing Season:
Your balancing season is Samhain. Your spirit may feel a bit low around the dark, death-embracing energies of Samhain. However, your power must be replenished with a period of dormancy and rest. Samhain invites you to slow down, draw inward, and connect with your deep emotional roots. What ancestral gifts or wounds do you carry? Is there something you need to grieve? Embracing solitude and allowing yourself to feel your depths- especially pain-helps you to transmute it so you can bloom even brighter next year. Healthy roots are necessary for growth. Read about Samhain season for further insight.
Reflection: How do you embody playful sensuality? How do you integrate your inner darkness and pain?
Summer Solstice- (Approx June 21st) The Shining Witch
If Summer Solstice is your power season, you shine with the colours of the rainbow! The flowers are in full bloom, and medicinal herbs are ready to be harvested. Everything is blooming and expressing their full potential. You too, like to bring your full potential to everything you do, and expression is very important to you. You are very generous, and like to go big or go home. Authenticity is a motivating force in your life. Why pretend to be somebody you’re not? You are unabashedly you. Highly attuned to the Earth Mother’s energies, you love to bask in the sun, swim in the water and play as much as possible. You feel life is to be enjoyed and celebrated.
The Summer Solstice is a time where we celebrate the longest day and acknowledge the sun’s protective and energizing gifts. Again, like at Beltane, fairies are out causing mischief and many believe this to be one of the most powerful times for magic in the year. It is a peak of energy that reverberates and energizes us for long into the future, so it is best to use it wisely rather than let it go to waste.
Like your festival, and like the sun, you carry a strong energizing force that can powerfully protect, bless, or burn. You decide how you wish to use your energy. Be careful of burning out, as some may take advantage of your warm rays. Some may feel blinded or jealous of the light you carry, but don’t let them dim your light. Trust that you are meant to wield potent energies, and have the capacity to create big, beautiful things!
During Summer Solstice, find productive, creative channels for your power, and use your abundant energy to make the world a better place. You are a nurturing, giving and generous soul, meant to share the Earth Mother’s love with all.
Balancing Season:
Your balancing season is the Winter Solstice. With all the giving you do, this season invites you to rest and recuperate. You may find it depressing or exhausting when winter descends but think of it as a soft blanket wrapping you in love and giving you permission to simply be. This season teaches you that you do not need to be at your best all the time! You can feel tired, lazy, and anti-social and that’s ok. You can let someone else host the holiday dinner and be the first to leave. Just do the basics and hold space for the unknown. It is in the dark void that we grow truly wise. Spend time with the elders in your life. Invite the wisdom of darkness to help you understand how to wield the light. Read about Winter Solstice season for further insight.
Reflection: How do you embody the life-giving energies of the sun? How do you integrate rest and embrace darkness?
Lammas (Aug 1st/Early Aug)- The Abundant Witch
You straddle the bright shiny energy of summer solstice as well as the beautiful harvest season, here at Lammas. You carry the soft, warm glow of sunset on a wheat field, the wind rustling through the trees, and crickets singing through the night. There is a sense of peaceful fulfillment during this season, an inner satisfaction that no other season carries. It fills us with gratitude. Like the Summer Solstice Witches, you love to play outside- basking in the sun, picking flowers, swimming in the water. You carry the energy of abundance, like a balm to the collective scarcity wound. Gratitude is a theme in your life and its essence is the highest expression of your spirit. Naturally skilled and creative, you do not waste anything, and often make beautiful things- whether cooking, crafting, gardening or any sort of art! You use your time, energy and resources wisely. You carry the wisdom of reciprocity in regards to relating with the Earth as a living being. You understand the give and take, the importance of showing gratitude in physical ways. You love giving gifts to others and like to receive appreciation as well.
Lammas, or First Harvest festival is the festival of the grain, and making bread is one of its main activities. It is at this time we have a sense of which of our planted seeds have done well and which haven’t. We reap what we’ve sown and accept the outcome. We separate the wheat from the chaff and begin our preparations for autumn. It is a festival that celebrates artisans and farmers with food and craft markets, feasting and gratitude.
You like to upcycle, to create something beautiful from humble beginnings. Where others see rags, you see a potential quilt! During your power season, use your craftiness to make incense or medicines from herbs, jams or preserves from fruits, or create beautiful clothing, jewelry, décor or other items that enhance people’s lives.
Some may say you get hung up on the details or focus too much on issues of scarcity and abundance, but you are a true artisan of life- you know that life is in the details, for nothing of quality can be made haphazardly. You prefer DIY projects because you trust your own magical ability to weave thread into gold!
Your Balancing Season:
Imbolc is your balancing season. Sometimes you may get bogged down by the mundane details and limitations of the physical world. The season of Imbolc invites you to reconnect with your ‘why’- the higher principles and motivation behind your actions. Imbolc takes place at the coldest, harshest time of year and you may find scarcity thoughts take hold at this time. Remember that you are the earth and you are magic. You don’t need to get your energy from the outside world, the flame of creation lies within you. Reconnect to the awe and wonder you had as a child, rekindle your belief in magic, possibility, and new sources of inspiration. Connect with your Spirit and dream new dreams for the future. Read about Imbolc season for further insight.
Reflection: How do you embody abundance? How do you integrate your spiritual, idealistic, dreamy side?
Fall Equinox- (Approx. Sept 21st) The Balanced Witch
If Fall Equinox is your power season, you are one lucky witch! Often called the ‘season of the witch’, this time holds the beauty of a feast shared with loved ones, the brilliant reds, oranges and yellows of the trees, the gentle cool breeze and a warm cup of tea. Something about fall equinox is extra witchy- perhaps because it is that point of balance between light and dark, marking our descent into the darker half of the year. You are drawn to the inner journey, sensing the magical treasures to be found there. You carry the ability to both live in this world and the spirit world. You can just as easily craft a beautiful besom or herbal tincture as you can dance with your demons. You enjoy a bit of socializing as well as curling up alone with a good book. You are not afraid to dip your toes into the darker realms of human nature, and yet you also delight in the sensual aspects of life, feeling the leaves crunch beneath your feet as you sip your pumpkin latte, or soaking in an essential oil bath. Your path is one of integrating different aspects of yourself, your inner light and dark.
The Fall Equinox festival is another harvest festival, this time focusing on fruits and veggies rather than grain. It is a time of gratitude, celebrating what has manifested and worked well, and grieving or letting of what hasn’t. We may let go of physical things we no longer need, or habits that have been holding us back. It is a time of transmutation, release, and opening to the mystery that awaits us as we begin the journey inward.
You may feel you walk a line between worlds at times. Perhaps you feel the call of the darkness more strongly, and other times, you wish to feel your feet on the ground. Some may find it hard to know where you stand, or demand you pick a side. But, like your festival, you carry an inner sense of balance within that you like to maintain. This also aligns with a sense of personal integrity, understanding, ethics and justice. You live by an inner code that reflects your need for balance. Reflection is very important to you, and you may find your mind venturing into the past to integrate its lessons.
During your power season, take the time you need to digest the year’s energies and consciously begin an inner journey- spiritually and/or emotionally. Honor your inner Witch in gentle, loving ways. Stand in your power as an edge-walker, a balancer of light and dark.
Balancing Season:
Perhaps you are more willing than most to learn from your balancing season? Spring Equinox is your balancing season, as it invites you to embrace innovation and break new ground. Your natural essence is integration and reflection, which can make the impulsive verve of Spring Equinox feel unsettling and forceful. Spring asks you to take off the cozy sweater and try new things, which can feel scary. It asks you to jump in feet-first and be willing to fail. Can you trust your ability to land on your feet? You won’t know what you’re capable of until you try. Let spring show you new aspects of yourself to fuel your quest for integration. Read about Spring Equinox season for further insight.
Reflection: How do you embody Balance? How do you integrate your brave and impulsive side?
Samhain- (Nov 1st-Early November) The Healing Witch
Your power season is Samhain, also known as the Witches’ New Year. The winds have grown colder and many of the leaves have fallen by this time, leaving their stark, twisted, craggy naked beauty to behold. You do not shy away from the grittier, darker aspects of life, as you have an x-ray vision that shows you the deeper essence of everything. You are not fooled by appearances and can smell a rat a mile away.
This is the season of death and increased darkness. You carry the wisdom of knowing that death is simply a part of nature’s cycles and always leads to rebirth. Life never ends, it only changes. Your healing power stems from this wisdom, and your simple presence can offer comfort to someone who is grieving, struggling, or experiencing deep pain. It is said the veil between this world and the spirit world is thin this time of year, giving you a heightened sensitivity to the spirit world. You may be unusually attuned to your ancestors or helper spirits from other realms. You may be gifted at mediumship, oracles, channeling, or of course, healing.
The festival of Samhain is one in which we honour our beloved dead and tend to our roots which contain our ancestral gifts and wounds. We may feast the dead, talk about our favourite memories, or do some deeper shadow work.
During your power season, take the opportunity to do some of your deepest healing. Tackle those ghosts in the attic or delve into that ancestral wound. The work you do now will reverberate not only for the rest of your life, but generations forward and back all through your lineage. You are a powerful healer.
Others may find you intimidating, intense or dramatic. But this is because your path puts you through more intensity than most. Life, death, and rebirth will always feature prominently in your life, and others will likely seek you out for guidance when they are in transition. In order to heal, we must understand illness, in order to cultivate life, we must learn to embrace death. One cannot happen without the other. You know this.
Balancing Season:
Your balancing season is Beltane. The sensual delights of the earth blossoming invite you to embrace life and be nourished. The darkness of Samhain can diminish your trust and ability to appreciate life’s simple pleasures. Place your feet on the soft morning grass, smell a flower and appreciate the bounty that surrounds you! Care for your body, be kind to yourself and allow yourself to thrive, connect and create! Enjoy the life aspect of the cycle, remembering this is the thriving, healing energy that moving through loss eventually brings. Read about Beltane season for further insight.
Reflection: How do you embody deep change and healing ? How do you integrate your lighter, sensual side?
I invite you to take some time to delve more deeply into awareness of these seasonal points. How can you use this knowledge to enhance your birthday season or recharge during your balancing season?
If you’d like to experience the seasonal energies in a deeper, more meaningful way, join us for the Hearthfire Circles! We celebrate the seasonal festivals online and in-person with guided meditation journeys, art-making, ritual and warm community vibes.
If you have questions, don’t hesitate to comment below!
I talk alot about cycles- seasonal cycles, astrological cycles, moon cycles, and the menstrual cycle.
I’ve always found it fascinating how our own psyches and bodies are mirrored through these cycles around us. Knowing that whatever we are struggling with is temporary and part of a natural cycle, is deeply comforting. Understanding the nature of the energy we are dealing with and how to work with it rather than against it can be so empowering.
Aligning with the cycles of nature can be a healing act of resistance, too. When we remember we are nature, we tap into a power that our capitalistic cultural conditioning seeks to suppress.
But, we are complex beings. Sometimes how we feel doesn’t match the season or phase we are in. Just because it is summertime outside doesn’t necessarily mean we are feeling happy, expressive and social and aren’t experiencing grief, loss, or death (so-called ‘winter’ feelings). Just because it is the waxing moon doesn’t necessarily mean we feel energised and creative. We can have our bleeding time at any moon phase, even if bleeding resonates with the dark/new moon. We can experience a relatively chill and relaxing Mercury Retrograde or chaos and delays when it is direct!
This is partly because there are several cycles happening within us and around us at the same time- for instance, we could be going through a long Saturn transit (planet of restriction & loss) that goes on for years, and it overlaps with a season of abundance, or a transit of benevolent Jupiter.
It’s also partly because we are not meant to always look for explanations and answers outside of us- in theories, systems and patterns. Sometimes, we’re just meant to experience life in the moment and not overthink it! Sometimes, we just need to embrace whatever our current feelings and needs are and listen to them, and trust they are part of our growth.
Embracing our Inner Seasons and Cycles
None of these cyclical systems- astrology, the seasons, or the moon- is a perfect template for our life, nor is our understanding of them meant to be rigid, or fully understood so we can control our lives and make them foolproof.
After studying and living with this awareness for so long I feel that it is impossible to fully understand how cycles overlap and play into our lives. Leaving life to the Great Mystery is part of the fun, as well as a key spiritual ingredient to our growth and wisdom.
Increasingly, I’ve been feeling our human analysis of ‘how this cycle is supposed to go’ can be a trap that prevents us from flowing through our own phases more organically, in a more honest, authentic way.
Oftentimes in life, simply knowing ‘this is a temporary phase’ is enough. Remembering that death and rebirth happen simultaneously, and that energy is always changing is enough.
It’s ok to be in whatever phase you are in, for however long you need to be. It’s ok to flow back and forth between phases. There is no right way or wrong way. It doesn’t have to match up with anything outside of yourself. Your experience may resonate with a seasonal or lunar energy, or it may not, and it can happen any time, and its all good. It’s part of your path. You are not doing life wrong or misaligned somehow if your plans don’t match up with the moon or you’re not feeling the effects of Mercury retrograde!
Information vs Wisdom Gained from Experience
I’ve been thinking about this whole thing more lately because there’s been a huge increase in astrologers, psychics and witches- and all kinds of random people without any astrological knowledge or study behind them- talking about astrology, the moon and sharing information online. Some of it is parroted info, lacking in any substance or actual knowledge of its complexity or delineation.
I see lots of superficial cookbook associations such as ‘Venus retrograde means it’s the season of the ex!’ ‘Leo season means it’s time to sparkle!’, ‘Plant your intentions, it’s a fabulous new moon!’ (even if it’s under conflicting aspects). I know that friendly bite-size bits of info are all folks want to consume these days, so I get why this is a trend. However, it bothers me that this is where it usually stops.
I started studying astrology formally with a mentor with the Canadian Association for Astrological Education in 2001. Social Media wasn’t a thing back then. We were fringe-y weirdos into hidden knowledge. Ever since, I have been continuing to learn and live the knowledge, which gives a more nuanced perspective than when you simply read an article and parrot things other astrologers say for your own online content. When you study the cycles in-depth, you realise you have to actually live the knowledge and experience it yourself before you can say you know it or understand it. And even then, you still can’t truly know the secrets of the universe or even fully ever understand any of it.
The more I live it, the more I realise I don’t know. I also realise how spiritual systems of understanding are quite limited and can hinder our spiritual growth by encouraging us to continually measure our experience with external patterns, or gaze towards the future instead of fully beingin the present. Especially since so much of our existence is online now, I feel it is more important than ever to instead gaze within and live more in the present 3D moment.
Being Present & Leaving Space for the Mystery
What makes life what it is, is its mystery. We’re not always meant to understand it or feel we can control it.
In witchcraft and astrological communities online, I repeatedly see the message that when the season is ripe, we should grab the bull by the horns and go for it! Every new moon, we are reminded to plant those seeds of intention. Every full moon, we’re told to release, let go, or watch what we say to avoid drama. I’ve repeated this narrative too, of course.
But, my practice has been shifting away from harnessing energy to create a desired outcome and instead just flowing with the energy and experiencing it within myself with no agenda.
This idea that we need to harness the energy around us at all times- do something with it, create with it, use it, feels kinda capitalist and colonial to me. I get that it can also be empowering sometimes, so I don’t mean to diminish that, but the messaging often feels steeped in our cultural shortcomings- The fear of being rather than doing, the fear of resting and not producing- and perhaps our biggest fear- being fully present within ourselves.
I feel it is too easy in today’s witchcraft to fall into this trap of needing to be in control, to overly focus on manifesting, to keep ‘using’ nature’s cycles to get what you want, and to spend more time creating online witchy content than living your actual witchy life.
What if we live fully in the moment? Without analysing, or striving to understand its context or place in the whole. What if we spend less time doing and more time being? What if we stop looking outside for validation and listen to the whisperings within?
My practice has steadily been shifting away from manifestation towards surrender over the years. It’s more about connecting with myself and my environment more deeply, rather than spellwork or ‘harnessing the energy’ all the time. I’ve been spending less time online in favor of staying present within my body and self.
I have been outgrowing practices I used to do and making shifts to honour where I am at now.
Midlife Weirdnessand my Inner Fall-Winter
I feel I have been in a ‘fall-winter’ phase within for the last few years. My creative and social drive is low, my sensitivity, introversion and spiritual antennae is high.
My solace is the cave of the Dark Goddess, merging with the fertile darkness of Her womb, where all life begins. Cerridwen has been my companion through this. I have been in a process of simplifying, clearing and turning inwards.
I am in a particularly challenging phase of parenting, as my daughter nears her 15th birthday. I have hit middle age, and my role as mother, as partner, as healer and all the things I identified with is changing.
I am aware of my current astrological, hormonal and life cycles. However, this awareness hasn’t really helped me navigate the path as much as I would expect. My mind wants to analyse and understand but it is being quieted by my heart and soul who just want to experience. I am making space for this transition and doing my best to simply be present rather than grasp at activities that distract me away from it.
I can’t see more than this very moment in time right now, so I am embracing this call inward, this call to self, to letting what needs to fall away go.
I am letting go of my need to know and trusting the mystery before me no matter how strange and uncomfortable it is.
I trust that this process will help me on the next step of my journey.
Being called to the Cauldron of Change and Rebirth
There are times when the metaphorical cauldron calls me to deepen my spiritual lessons. I envision this cauldron as much larger than me, sitting in the earth, tended by Cerridwen. I sit on the edge and dangle my feet in for a while, testing the waters. I may stay there for days, weeks or months, just slowly dipping in, one part at a time, like entering cold water, gathering the courage to let go of the rim and drop all in. Cerridwen is patient with me, most of the time.
I try to go voluntarily or else I know I may just get pushed in. I currently feel I’m headed in for another journey. I’m already quite immersed, I just need to let go of the rim. I don’t know how long it will be, or where it will take me, of course. Not knowing is key to its purpose.
Letting go is a practice. It takes practice to really tune into our internal creative rhythms and listen to the call of our soul- especially if it doesn’t align with our idea of where we ‘should be’ or with our environment.
Change is the only thing we can rely on. This is always a bit uncomfortable for me to accept.
What season are you in?
The seasonal energy I feel within is on the dark side- it resonates with the Last Quarter Moon, the Fall, Midlife, The Enchantress and the planet Pluto. Yet, it is none of those, exactly. This is my own unique experience, my own personal ‘season’- the spiritual phase I embody, as I type this under the high noon July sun and waxing moon. My season is my own.
I am on a journey of renewing my creative energies. Composting the past and incubating new seeds of growth for the future.
Following our creative rhythms takes courage, as it can go against well-worn patterns we’ve become stuck in, or the outside world’s demands- to constantly and consistenly produce and share all the time.
But as a creative soul, I know the importance of doing what is necessary to renew my energy, to keep my creative waters flowing without stagnating. To regain inspiration and motivation requires change and many journeys inward and down to the deep.
Is there a particular aspect of your life, where you feel in a reflective winter phase? A blooming summer phase? A change-filled spring or release of fall?
How do you feel when the focus of your energies is quite different from the energy around you?
What spiritual practices ground you into this moment?
If you are interested in learning practices for renewing your creative energy, as well as celebrating the season of First Harvest, please join me for my online circle on Tuesday, August 1st for First Harvest Circle- The Cauldron of Creativity! This will be my last seasonal circle before I take a pause to renew my creative energies. More on my journey to come, I recommend you sign up for my newsletter below for details.
Wishing you acceptance and love as you move through whatever phase you are in!
Imbolc is a welcome, hopeful vibe amidst an otherwise challenging season. While it is a pagan celebration rooted in the milder climate of the UK & Ireland, here in Canada, we can still enjoy the increase in light even if much of the country is entering its coldest, snowiest stage of winter. We can look to the lighter skies and have faith that the first stirrings of rebirth begin now and will eventually become tangible in spring.
Imbolc originates in Celtic traditions, especially in Ireland and Scotland. The goddess Brigid is the deity venerated at this time. She is the pre-Christian goddess of fire, healing, smithcraft, the hearth, the flame of life and creative spark that resides within us, as well as protection and fertility. She eventually became the Christian St. Brigid. Her light shines brightly in the hearts of many and lives on through regional folk customs and traditions inspired from these all over the globe today.
Brigid from the Goddess Power Oracle
Many of the traditions of Imbolc involve children and youth, symbolizing the energy of renewal of the season. Girls would go door to door with their Brigid dolls wearing white, while boys go door to door singing and dancing, and they would collect money. Homes were cleansed and prepared for new life- as Brigid was invited into the home to bless and protect it. Sometimes the youngest in the house was tasked with finding rushes with which to make the St Brigid’s Cross- a protective symbol for the home. Many folks are keeping these traditions alive today.
Weather divination is also popular at this time- involving snakes, badgers, or in in North America- groundhogs-who foretell an early spring or a longer winter.
The Return of the Light & Spiritual Faith
Modern themes of this season include hope, visioning and spiritual renewal, which correspond to the increase of light which is now noticeable. Some celebrate the return of the light at Winter Solstice, as it is the time from which light increases each day, however I find that it is around Imbolc that the light is noticeable enough to affect our psyches.
Increased light and longer days affect us in many ways, namely bringing a sense of increased hope, optimism and energy. Light is also associated with faith, spirit, and our inner flame of conviction. When I speak of our inner flame- I mean that which lights you up and inspires you forward in life. For some, this corresponds to their spiritual faith. It may also correspond to one’s creative spark.
Some Pagans use this time to renew their dedication to their deities, or to dedicate to a new deity. It is also a popular time for coven initiations, which initiates one’s commitment to their spiritual community.
I resonate with the desire to refresh and re-dedicate myself to my path and spiritual practice this time of year. I tend to clean all of my altars, or completely re-do them. My relationships with deities are forged or strengthened with rituals and prayers. It’s like hitting the spiritual ‘reset’ button. I let go of what isn’t working and experiment with new ways of strengthening my practice.
I allow inspiration and my intuition to lead me to what feels right. I focus on the practices and rituals that expand my inner flame of strength and love; My feeling of being spiritually protected and enlivened and my ability to express my best self.
Winter is tough, and for many, spiritual faith is what carries us through the tough times. So, February can be the perfect month to revamp or up-level our spiritual practice!
Resonance with the Crescent Moon and Childhood
In the lunar cycle, the energy of the New Moon resonates with the Winter Solstice and the Crescent Moon resonates with Imbolc. This is where we can see the first slice of light in the sky. This brings with it hope, innocence and creative intention after coming out of the darkness.
In the life cycle, the Winter Solstice resonates with the Elder energy, whilst Imbolc resonates with the Child energy. There are moments during this season where we may straddle both worlds- There can be a bit of struggle between the old and the new- the darkness and the light- or between fear and hope. We may know what we want but fear to step forward. Or, we take one step forward and two steps back. This is part of our birthing process, like contractions- where we are slowly exiting one reality and preparing for another.
This energy may cause us to go back and forth with decisions, as we may fear taking risks or need to pause and reflect before making plans. This is all well and good, because we are meant to be gentle with ourselves and protect this nascent new life we carry and wish to grow into the new year with.
There is no need to rush into anything, and it is healthy to conserve our energy in the winter. However, we are invited to make a shift to our comfort zone now and open to new avenues, even just within our own mind and heart. A new perspective is the first step forward.
The Astrology of Imbolc, Creativity & The Inner Child
Inspiration from the Liminal Spirits Oracle
Since astrology is a big part of my path, I feel it important to discuss the significance of the Aquarius-Leo axis, which is the axis of creativity activated around Imbolc.
Traditionally, Imbolc is celebrated when the Sun is at 15 degrees Aquarius, as this is the exact midpoint between the Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox. (However, I personally feel you can celebrate it anytime you start to feel the energy of it).
Aquarius is an interesting sign, because it it both ruled by conservative, structured Saturn and rebellious, free-spirited Uranus. Like those labour contractions I mentioned before, the push and pull of these two parts of us may be a point of stress this season. It may bring into question what traditions we follow or boxes we’re stuck in that may be holding us back. We may discover a new perspective which prompts us to re-invent, eschew or let go of certain traditions, change the shape of our box or completely free ourself from one altogether! The key energy of this time is change in perspective.
Every sign carries an opposite- and they both have much in common because they are opposite sides of the same coin. When it is Aquarius season, inevitably the energy of Leo gets brought into the mix as a balancer. At the full moon this balance is highlighted.
The Aquarius-Leo axis is about creativity. It also has a resonance with the Inner Child, which is reflected in the Imbolc traditions involving children.
Aquarius is the element of air- the open, curious childlike mind. It is about seeing things from a fresh perspective and asking ‘why?’. Aquarius helps us question the status quo and invent new ways of doing things.
Leo is the element of fire- the playful, childlike heart. It is about self-expression and showing the world our talents. Leo helps us stay true to ourselves and live with passion.
Both signs are also brave, independent, and despise being told what to do! They thrive on the creative impulse, which often doesn’t fit well into boxes. Aquarius follows this impulse on the hedges, edges and outskirts of the mainstream- in order to gain a creative perspective. Leo follows this impulse from within, on centre stage, in order to radiate the creative energy outward.
Both energies exist in all of us, and one cannot exist without the other. They both come into focus this time of year, showing up in the Leo full moon, which happens very close to Imbolc this year, on Feb 5th.
What does this mean?
It means this is a great time for exploring new ideas, to question the status quo, to see our life from a fresh perspective. We can let go of any rigid conditioning and embrace the part of us that is innocent and open to change. We can discover ways of living by our ideals and hopes for the future, while also honoring our creative impulses. We can give ourselves permission to follow the light of inspiration and magic in our hearts.
If this is very challenging for us, it is a wonderful time to do our own inner child healing- with a therapist, through an art form, or spending time with children.
Experiment, try something new, play and create, make new art, or new pathways for your energy to manifest itself in the world.
Brigid from the Mystic Sisters Oracle
The bright radiance of Brigid lies within us. The young ones singing and dancing in Her honor, the warm flame lit in the hearth, they live within us too!
The beautiful energy of Imbolc is about re-igniting our inner flame- the passion and creativity within us, the childlike enthusiasm, the wonder and inspiration that prompts us to wish upon stars, believe in faeries and talk to trees.
All of this can be re-awakened now, to nourish and feed our inner flame.
Ways we can tend to our inner flame at Imbolc:
Do something you find fun! Go out with friends, dance, knit, paint, go bowling, play with your cats- whatever it is, let it be something that makes you laugh, or at least smile!
Take some time to really connect with your heart. What expands your love and inner light? How can you manifest and share more of that in your life, even in small ways?
Tune into your womb space or creative centre in the pelvic bowl. What desires are stirring within? Write them down.
Clear a pathway for your desires to manifest. Re-arrange your schedule, change your habits, cleanse your space, your body and mind of toxic energy that is holding you back.
Envision your desire manifested. See it in detail. Are there are small steps you can take now towards it?
Connect with the goddess Brigid- Learn about Her and the traditions She is rooted in and make a Brigid’s Cross.
Reflect on your spiritual faith and practice. Does it energise and inspire you? Make changes, commit or re-dedicate yourself to your path.
Care for your home and tend to your sense of being at home within yourself. You can read my blog about this topic from Imbolc last year here.
Imbolc altar from 2019
What do you feel called to do at Imbolc this year? How are you tending your sacred flame of inspiration, creativity and spirit for the year ahead?
If you’d like to celebrate this magickal season, you’re invited to join my online Imbolc Circle on Fri Feb 3rd @7pm EST! You can learn all the info and register here.
May your inner flame burn bright and your wishes come to pass.
