Module 4 - February
Possibilities & New Beginnings
For this call, you will need some flower seeds, a small flower pot and some soil.
EFJ SP – Module 4
Practices & Ritual
The practice for this module is to go for a walk and simply notice the signs and cycles of nature. See the small subtle changes as they are occurring all around you.
Seasonally, we are in a period of transition and transformation. It still feels (and looks) like winter but if you look closer you will see the signs of spring starting to emerge.
Spring doesn’t arrive all of a sudden. It takes time.
There is a a kind of battle that takes place between winter and spring at this time of year. Some days we are blessed with beautiful Spring sunshine but on other days Winter still has the upper hand but we know that eventually, Spring will reign supreme.
How are the cycles of nature mirrored in your life? Are you in a period of transition? Is there conflict raging within you? What can nature teach you about transition? Is there something new ready to emerge? Are you resisting or embracing this new energy?
What about your menstrual cycle… how are the patterns of nature reflected at various phases of your cycle?
Ritual – Planting Seeds of Intention
You will need a candle, a sheet of paper, a pen, a bowl of water, and a cloth.
- Light your candle.
- Close your eyes and take a few breaths
- Think about your year ahead.
- What dreams from the dreamtime do you wish to turn into intentions? What do you wish to call in? Is it something specific? Is it a feeling? Is it related to a specific area of your life?
- With a gentle approach, knowing that nothing is set in stone, choose intentions for the year ahead; 3 sparks or flames of intention.
- Write them down.
- Now hold a few seeds cupped in your hands, at least 2 per intention.
- Hold the seeds near your heart.
- Close your eyes, breathe into your heart and call to mind your intentions.
- Now hold the seeds in the energy of your intentions.
- Imagine each seed soaking up the energy of your intentions.
- Open your eyes and blow your intentions into the seeds.
- Then plant your seeds.
- If you wish you can stick your intention on to the side of your flower pot or bury it in the soil.
- Are you in a phase of transition or standing on the threshold of something? maybe you are on the threshold of starting something new or maybe you just have a sense or feeling that your life is changing in some way
- How does it feel to be in transition or standing on the threshold? Maybe you feel stuck, unhappy, frustrated, discontent, or ready for change. Or maybe you feel excited, and nervous.
- What do you feel you need during this time of transition or transformation? Support, time alone, research, time in nature, community, encouragement, motivation, inspiration.
- What if anything, do you sense is blocking you? Not enough time, needing clarity, not enough energy, more support, beliefs, resources
- What limiting beliefs are you ready to let go of? Not deserving, not good enough, it will never work, I can’t. Maybe it will work, maybe it’s worth trying, maybe I am good enough.
- In what ways are you willing to show up for yourself? Self-care, boundaries, getting help if needed, asking for support, creating a routine, booking a retreat or time off.
- In what ways are you willing to answer your soul’s calling, even if you don’t know what your soul’s calling is? Maybe you’ll commit to doing research or putting a plan in place. Or maybe you’re prepared to spend time in reflection and listening deeply. Maybe it’s spending more time in nature, or practising meditation. Maybe it’s simply staying open to the possibilities. Maybe it’s the act of parking the limiting beliefs, trying not to control anything and just taking the first step.
- What depletes your creativity?
- What nourishes your creativity?
- What visions or ideas from the dreamtime are awakening and longing to be brought forward?
- In what way do you wish to express your true essence right now? What wants to emerge?
- With this in mind, what’s the first thing you feel ready to do?
Content & Notes
We have arrived at the festival of Imbolc which is usually celebrated on the 1st Feb. However Imbolc marks the halfway point between the winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox so the actual astrological date is usually around 3rd or 4th February. Imbolc announces the coming of spring in the Celtic calendar. The days are gradually lengthening, the land is growing fertile again, new shoots are beginning to emerge and the sun is slowly strengthening. Imbolc celebrates the end of the winter and the beginning of the light half of the year. Yet, Winter doesn’t end, just like that. As is nature’s way there is a period of transition. So really, we are standing on the threshold between winter and spring.
The word itself, Imbolc comes from the irish word ‘imbolg’ which means ‘in the belly’ referring to the ewe’s pregnant with the first of the spring lambs. The potential of new life in nature is all around us, and as such it is a great time to think about what seeds you wish to plant for the year ahead.
Imbolc is also associated with Saint Brigid or Goddess Brigid. At this time of year it is said that the Cailleach, the wise crone, transforms into the maiden Brigid.Brigid as an archetype represents many values that are relevant to our journey to the Enlightened Feminine.
Brigid is known as both a pre-celtic pagan goddess and a Christian saint. She is related to poetry, blacksmithing, midwifery, fertility, healing, protection, transformation, inspiration, and childbirth. She was known as a visionary and keeper of the flame.
There are many legends and stories about Brigid. The Goddess Brigid, some say, was the daughter of the Dagda who was a high king of the Tuatha De Dannan. The Tuatha De Dannan were the Gods and Goddess of Irish tradition. The Saint Brigid was the daughter of an Irish chieftain and a slave.
The name Brigid literally means “Exalted one”. She was born at dawn, in the threshold of a doorway, just as the sun started to rise, thus is sometimes known as the Maiden of the rising dawn. The sunlight streaming in created a crown of light around her head almost like a crown of flames. She is often depicted with flames around her head and referred to as the fiery arrow. The fire energy represents the illumined mind, inspiration, transformation, truth and creation.
She was a patron of blacksmiths. Smiths worked with fire and water, the elements of transformation. The process was considered to be sacred, a kind of alchemy, turning metal into gold. The materials that are not needed are stripped away to reveal what is precious inside. What is precious in you that is ready to be revealed?
Brigit was a healer and is associated with the healing power of wells and water. Wells, symbolic of the womb of the earth, are also places of wisdom, healing, and magic. In the Celtic tradition the elements of water and fire were used for ritual, cleansing and purification.
Brigit as a midwife was evoked by labouring women during childbirth. She was the protector of children, babies and mothers, and was known to ease the pain of childbirth. As a fertility goddess she brought fertility to women, the land and livestock. As a symbol of fertility, midwifery, new life and new beginnings, she can support us as we birth all of our creations into the world and bring new realities to life.
Lastly for now, Brigid at the young age of 18, defied her father’s wishes for her to find a husband and marry. Instead she chose to follow her soul path and work for God by tending to the sick, poor and elderly. In this way she challenged the patriarchal structure. She stayed true to herself with great courage and conviction, displaying a fierce strength of will, trust and determination.
How can we align with the symbolism of Brigid?
When we find ourselves in transition or on the threshold, she invites us to pause, take stock and trust; letting that which does not serve us to fall away, revealing the precious gold inside. She inspires the transformation, creation and love that can aid our souls’ calling. By aligning our energy with the Brigid, we are aligning with creativity, love, truth, strength of will, courage, conviction, determination, intuition, and inspiration.
* Image: Brigid’s Fire by Courtney Davis
- Location: Heart, middle of chest
- Element: Air
- Sense: Touch / Skin
- Rights: To love
- Power: Unconditional love, compassion, kindness, forgiveness, healing, power
- Lesson: Love is divine power
- Identity: Social
- Relates to: Connection, healing, matters of (unconditional) love, emotions, dedication, hope, trust, peace, wisdom, service (giving without the expectation of personal return), giving & receiving, letting go & letting in, connection to self and others.
- Strengths: Love, forgiveness, compassion, dedication, inspiration, hope, trust, courage, wisdom, acceptance, connection, presence, feeling, openness, ability to heal oneself and others.
- Fears: Fear of loneliness, commitment, fear of following one’s heart, fear of inability to protect oneself emotionally, fear of emotional weakness, fear of betrayal.
- Physical areas of the body: Lungs, heart, circulatory system, arms, hands, blood, circulation, ribcage, breasts, diaphragm, shoulder blades.
- Physical Issues that may arise from imbalance: Asthma, coronary disease, lung disease, lung cancer, bronchial pneumonia, heart failure, heart attack, upper back, shoulder, breast cancer
- Psychological issues that may arise from imbalance: Grief, jealousy, bitterness, anger, self-centredness, resentment, hatred, hurt, disappointment, loss, loneliness, an inability to forgive others and oneself.
Brigid’s Day: https://www.herstory.ie/brigidsday
Article by expert Dr. Mary Condren: https://www.herstory.ie/photo-essays-2/soulsmith
The story of Brigid’s Cloak: http://www.stbrigid.ie/story-of-st-brigid.html
Book: Ever Ancient, Ever New, A Journey Through the Celtic Year ~ by Dolores Whelan