Candlemas, Imbolc and the Teachings of the Old Ones

Candlemas, Imbolc and the Teachings of the Old Ones

Dear Ones, 
 
FEBRUARY 2 ~WELCOME CANDLEMAS AND IMBOLC. WE CELEBRATE THE RETURN OF THE FEMININE  LIGHT AND THE BLESSINGS OF BRIGIT, MOTHER OF POETRY, SMITHCRAFT , HEALING AND PROTECTOR OF THE YOUNG. 

As the ice begins its melting dance, the sap rises and the Sun  appears  to move ever closer--we celebrate the illumination of Purpose, the  ignition of  Passion, the kindling of our creativity and the flame of the Soul  on Fire. The creatures are gestating, the green, green light of Nature within  the Earth is expanding. We are praying for Spring!

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Last Imbolc, here at Wise Acre, our home in the Rockies, we fostered 2 spring  fawns, 1 male and 1 female. Their mother lost a race with a pack of coyotes as she was leading them away from her fawns. 

Through them we have been reminded of the promise of the Celtic Goddess Brigit, or Bride. She is the symbolic Mother of awakening consciousness, the blessings which can come from terrible loss and the embracing protection which can miraculously arrive as our old narrow, frozen ways begin to thaw.

Candlemas, literally " Mass or Gathering of Lights" is a latter-day name for the very ancient celebration of Brigid's Feast.

The Feast of Brigid is also the Feast of Light and the Sacred Feminine. She is the Midwife to our spiritual rebirthing of the Self. She is there for us, in our moments of deepest fear, and also most profound transformation. In the Celtic Mystery Tradition Brigid is the Mother of Shamanic death and rebirth. 

Brigit, and as She is named in many other cultures, Kali-Ereshkigal-Hecate-Demeter-Freya, is also the Great HouseKeeper of the Soul. This may very well be why  we celebrate the return of Spring when the "Groundhog sees his shadow."  Because one of the most important parts of transformation is being able to "see" our shadow qualities, those unloveable, hidden, disowned parts which we try to hid in the dark and avoid.

Remember, the greater the light, the deeper the shadow. Now is the time to own all the withered, denied and darker sides of the self. Get to know them, and even befriend them so that we may more easily release them. It's time to begin the purging which can lead to a new and integrated sense of self. What I avoid will control me. The more conscious I become, the less likely I am to be manipulated or ruled by my own secret Shadow-Self.
 

In the midst of winter, Mercy begins to flow!

KEEP WATCH AND EXPAND YOUR MEDITATION PRACTICE

BETWEEN FEB. 2 AND MARCH 21.

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NOW  IS THE TIME OF SPONTANEOUS SHAMANIC PERSONAL  
"DEATH" and REBIRTHING  RITUALS

INDIGENOUS  PEOPLE AND THE ELDERS OF MANY TRIBES RECOGNIZE THIS ERA,  THE FIRST UNFOLDINGS OF NATURE TOWARD SPRING, AS THE REBIRTHING OF OUR OWN BEINGS FROM THE FIRE OF THE PASSING YEAR. THIS IS WHAT THE NAVAJO, HOPI, SAMI OF LAPLAND AND MANY OTHER  FIRST  NATIONS DESCRIBE AS THE TIME OF SHAMANIC RE-BIRTHING.
 
The following are transmissions and teachings of the Elders and Medicine People from four continents. This shamanic ritual process was first shared during Jul/Solstice Meditations. And, during  this next cycle of 13 moons, it is important to invite and face the challenges of  which the Old Ones remind us : 

AS  WE WALK THROUGH THE PORTALS OF NEW LIFE, 
Between FEB. 2--IMBOLC, AND MARCH 22, SPRING EQUINOX

 WE WILL EXPERIENCE A SHAMANIC ENDING AND REBIRTH. 
 
Teachings for this shamanic meditation practice:
 
1.   Don't look back. Don't  look back. Don't look  back!
 
2. Hold your abused, abandoned,  neglected, sorrowing body in your arms. Look down at your  broken self with  deep mercy and love. See it all. Now, become  the  Jaguar, the Mountain Lion.  With your shamanic claws and teeth, rip your Old  Self apart, devouring  every part of it. Reabsorb the  shamanically-scattered self. Engulf the old  and reintegrate it into  the New and Transformed  Self.
 
3. As Brigit, Unci Maka,  Pacha Mama, Gaia, Freya, Mother Earth teaches: At this moment, men, too, have  the organs with  which to conceive, gestate and birth the  New World  Being. Women and Men,  know that you are pregnant with your own New  Self. As you feel the  beginnings of life growing within, feed this only  love,  valiant intention,  passion and peace. As labor begins, you feel the profound  waves of all Life  flowing through you. When transition comes, and it is time to  push, look  down between your legs. See your  infant face, perfectly formed being  born  into your own hands. Hold  this perfect Golden Child in your arms. Feel the  pulsing of the umbilical cord between you. Look into the loving eyes of your New  Self, your True Be-ing. All is forgiven. All is  forgiven.
 
4. As you walk through,  know that on the other side of the Portal  another Mystery awaits you.  Wherever you walk on the Path, an antipodal energy, Spirit Kin, Ancestral  being, UnderWorld Ally will be there to  walk with you.  Literally.  This Mirror Energy is unique for each individual and has been waiting to accompany you. It will take every  step with you, creating and holding a  solid foundation, offering support and keeping you aligned and in balance.

This energy holds you up with Divine Harmony. Attend to its guidance and you will not take a  wrong step or lose your way on the  Path.
 
PLEASE LET  ME KNOW WHAT YOU ARE EXPERIENCING AND LEARNING ON THIS NEW JOURNEY AND VISION QUEST.


MYSTERY SCHOOL CELEBRATION;
******FULL-MOON SACRED SAUNA -- SUNDAY. FEB. -5-5 PM AT WISEACRE FOR MYSTERY SCHOOL GODDESSHAMANS. WE WILL  BRING OUR 13-MOON COUNCIL TIME TO A CLOSING SO THAT WE MAY OPEN AGAIN, ANEW, TO  WELCOME THE SPRING AND THE SOUTH and WEST WINDS. WE WILL SHARE THE DISCOVERIES, RECOVERIES, ASK THE QUESTIONS AND SHARE THE INSPIRATIONS FROM THE PASSING  YEAR--IMBOLC TO IMBOLC.
 
LIGHT A CANDLE. PLACE IT IN YOUR FRONT WINDOW.  ILLUMINATE THE WAY FOR  YOUR WANDERING SOUL TO RETURN HOME -- AT LAST!
 
Bless  you -- Marcie 

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