The New Moon & Imbolc
subtle transitions and finding quiet despite the noise
We have two big events this week: the new Moon tonight and Imbolc on Saturday. When we honor the seasonal and celestial rhythms of nature, we can reflect on and ground ourselves in the present season.
The new Moon is a time of new beginnings, planting seeds, and setting intentions.
It leads us into a time of inspiration and growth. There is a synchronicity that Imbolc is falling so close to the new Moon. Imbolc, a Celtic festival, marks the threshold of winter as it actively turns toward Spring. It is a time to reflect and look deeper into your intentions for the year. Again, it is a time of planting seeds and preparing for the subtle transitions involved with growth. Though here in the US, things in January have been less than quiet, you can think of this cross-quarter day as the culmination of the intentions you have contemplated during the long January days as the light has ever so slowly begun to return.
At the beginning of each week this year, I have committed to drawing a tarot card to reflect on. This week’s card truly spoke to the season. My theme through January has utilized the symbolism of fog: Viewing life through a softer lens & looking for the hidden and mystical in the everyday.
The ace of pentacles reflects on new beginnings, security, safety, and well-being. It speaks to a moment of planting and potential germination. The imagery of this card is beautiful. The crosscut of the tree with the rings of growth and the bright light in the center shows me that we are a sum of all of our experiences. We learn, grow, and develop wisdom from all the steps we take and conversely our missteps. I am also reminded of a ripple in the water, how each ring leads to the next concentric ring, indicating growth, renewal, and life. Both images require looking at the world softly and reflecting on the mystical synchronicities in nature, how beautiful is that?
As we approach this new Moon and Imbolc, take a moment to cleanse your pallet of the noise around us, and look to the subtle change of the season to center yourself. When I refer to blocking out the noise, I don’t mean to bury your head in the sand, I mean take some time so that it doesn’t consume you. If you are having a hard time, try the exercise below, then focus on finding your center once again.
Just Breathe
Life can throw a ton at you at once, and in our society, we are made to feel like we just need to handle it. We are told things like: ‘Water off a duck’s back’ or ‘Shake it off’. This week’s Post Card is all about the value of taking just a moment to breathe as a reset to the overwhelm that can take us all into its clutches.
Until next time,
