Imbolc/Candlemass/Groundhog's Day/St Brigid's Day

This is absolutely my favorite holiday of the year. It is very much a northern hemisphere holiday. February 1st into the morning of the 2nd is about when we first start to notice that we aren't going into work AND leaving work in the dark. I don't have to leave a light on for my husband because it will still be light when he gets home. I start to see the crocuses blooming - a welcome bit of color in everyone's yards. Things are percolating again. It is celebrated by one of the best Bill Murray movies of all time - well really, who doesn't love the scene of him with the groundhog driving at mad speeds into a fiery explosion? ...  More, that movie is about finding and achieving your dreams; once he has figured out his path, and taken the important first step, his life moves on.

There are no Hallmark Cards for this holiday. No special sludge to eat or drink. Just candles and meditation and fertility. 

Fertility? WHAT?!?! Where did that come from?

Sure, the more common use of the term, but it is also about bringing your goals to fruition. I've been thinking about them and planning, but now is the time for them to come into being. As much as I like to believe that I am a person who springs immediately into action, it generally takes a little bit of time between when I start to talk about change to when I actually take action. Even when I started MF in October: I had actually signed up for MF in SEPTEMBER, the box came and then I waited 2 weeks to start. I don't regret that thinking time, it allows me to really get centered on how I will proceed and have a greater understanding of what will be entailed with my decisions. So every year on this day, it is my second chance to recommit to my New Year's resolution (or my Yule hopes/dreams - or my Advent pledges). 

Every year, I light a candle and sit with my hopes and dreams; defining and focusing on my goals for the future, organization, health, and protection. I get to really unpack all my fears about the steps to said goals. I get to decide which steps are appealing and which ones feel daunting. I get to address the daunting ones with either making plans for making those steps smaller, or by enlisting aid, or by talking them out with someone (usually my husband). I never beat myself up about not having "started" on said resolution or goal in the past month - because I am honest with myself about how this in-between time has been helpful for allowing things to percolate. Kind of my own personal reliving of the same day over and over until I am ready to move forward. 

This year, I have a lot of changes in store. I have made some pretty big goals including a new job and a new home. I need to sit in front of the candle and meditate on what is both desirable and undesirable in my life and in my heart. Affirm that I will nurture the good and dissuade the bad. It is time to light a candle and get started.

And, if the candle doesn't work, I can always revisit the Pep Talk. <<<<---- watch it.