On the Wheel of the Year, Imbolc is the midway point between the fertile darkness of the Winter Solstice and the blossoming of the Spring Equinox. During this period of time we begin to feel the first stirrings of Spring and the energy of renewal, re-awakening and initiation. This time of the year nature is pregnant with life- Imbolc in gaelic means ‘in the belly’, traditionally referring to the pregnancy of ewes at this time.

Think of this period as a potent time for patience and gestation before full materialization of spring and the bounty of summer. It is a time to prepare the soil, nurture the flower beds with nutrients, and tend to our foundations, before planting the seeds of spring. In order for anything to grow, to flourish, we must first start at our base, our home, our temple. This is all connected to intuitive, ancestral knowing and root chakra wisdom.

Let nature be your guide and greatest teacher. Align with this new cycle of rejuvenation, shed your winter skin, and welcome in the return of the sun by syncing your inner flow with the rhythms of nature. Have you felt a shift from the fertile receptivity of winter hibernation, to the first buzzing of spring? It feels like a soft awakening, the initial stirring and urge to clear out and prepare for rebirth. Spring is near.

Imbolc Rituals For Tending Your Inner & Outer Altar:

Inner Altar: Ritual cleansing is something we intuitively feel called to during this time of the year. Lean in. Imbolc is a traditional time of purification, in fact one of the symbols of this magical portal is the flame. What has been dulling your inner heart fire? I’ve found for myself, what was needed or supportive during the period of Winter hibernation, is not always in alignment with what serves me and my highest vibration in the next cycle. Take stock: what’s serving you still, and what’s not? This is an opportunity to reflect and lean into physical and energetic clearing. Make space for something new to arise.

One of my favorite practices of renewal during this time of the year is a ritual bath. Hot, steamy and salty to cleanse and clear. I've been drawn to rose, ylang ylang and sandalwood oils for my baths lately (just a few drops of each), but listen to what you are naturally drawn to. You can also make a bath tea infusion using traditional Imbolc herbs: angelica, basil, bay laurel, blackberry, iris, cedarwood, rosemary and lavendar, bundled in a muslin cloth or bag. If you live somewhere where flowers are already blooming, add some in as well. Steep, release and soak.

Surround yourself by soft candle light and give yourself the gift of spacious retreat. Turn off your phone and go inwards. Allow yourself to drop into spontaneous meditation, release, call in and visualize your seed desires. Feel the final shedding of your Winter layers as you drain the tub and blow out your candles.

Outer Altar: clear, de-clutter and refresh your home temple. Your altar, your sacred space for self reflection, meditation and home practice is your personal reflection and connection with the divine. Honor your sacred space by dusting, removing any wilted flowers, ashes or melted wax. Let this cleansing extend into the rest of your home. Wipe down all surfaces with a diluted lavender + eucalyptus blend. Open all the windows and doors of your home. Going clockwise, air out and smudge with locally sourced sustainable herbs (such as bay leaves, purple sage, juniper, cedar or rosemary).

Inner/ Outer Altar Attunement: cleanse, reset, connect and prepare for the auspicious creative energy of Spring through mantra. This will clear and re-align you on a cellular level, and when chanted aloud, will act as a clearing intention setting for your space. Invoke the auspicious energy and blessing of new beginnings with the mantra of Ganesha:

Ganesha Sharanam, Sharanam Ganesha
Gam Ganapataye Namo Namah

Ganesha: the remover of obstacles. Born out of the clay and created by one of the Great Hindu Goddesses Parvati, Ganesha is also connected with the root chakra and the elemental energy of the earth.

Sharanam: a doorway, the entry into a new moment. Take refuge in where you are now, prepare for the unfolding and all the blessings of what is to come.

Gam Ganapataye: Gam is the bija, the seed sound of Ganesha. Ganapataye, another name for Ganesha.

Namo Namah: offering from the heart

Can we accept and embrace this new phase and moment with expansiveness and clarity? For me, this is the energy of Ganesha. The clearing of any dissonant perceptions, any obstacles, any fears held within. Call upon that aspect of yourself that is eternal, release any heaviness you’ve been holding onto.

Repeat 27, 54 or 108 times

Pause, reflect and sit with the vibrations.

Here we are. Beginning again, preparing our foundations, tending to our home, our inner and outer sacred spaces, so we can soon emerge with the full blossoming of Spring. Jai!