Imbolc 2020
Merry meet, kind folk, and blessings upon you!
Blessed Imbolc, sisters! Or, at least it will be on February 2nd.
When I think of the season of Imbolc, I always think of this line from The Neverending Story (1984 film):
“In the beginning, it is always dark.”
I could teach a course in spirituality based on the book alone. It is so jam-packed with incredible philosophy that is even more relevant than it was 40 years ago when it was first published. It was the Harry Potter of its time. It got children all over the world excited to read again–but I digress. The Wolfgang Petersen film (although a very watered-down interpretation that Ende was not pleased with) remains a masterpiece of German craftsmanship. The mystical journey of the child Bastian from weak nerd to self-actualization is undeniably moving and beautiful
Young Bastian, the human child, is finally face to face with the Childlike Empress, ruler of this fantasy world he has traversed over the course of the story. It was his duty to save all the creatures of this world by giving the empress a new name, but he doubted the value of dreams in real life, and it seems that he has failed, because all that is left is the empress and one grain of sand.
Midwinter can feel like that. The dark seasons of our lives can feel like that. It’s not easy to reach for a higher ideal. Life answers us with malevolence and temptation to give in to complacency. Sometimes life is just too hard, and we feel like giving up. Sometimes, we have to face the fact of our bitter failures. Sometimes life can tear us to pieces until we feel like there is nothing left of our souls at all.
But during Imbolc, we seek to rekindle is a tiny spark of hope. One solitary candle is lit in our hearts, and we feel like, perhaps, we might give a new life one more try.
The Childlike Empress is an eternal being, and presents herself as a child for a reason.
She represents the infinite nature of the soul, the boundless nature of the human imagination and potential. One has to save this from the clutches of bitterness and cynicism.
She is a perfect depiction of the Maiden Goddess; pure, innocent, and full of potential within her sleeping seeds, countless buds and abundance. So, so precious. Worth protecting with everything we have. Worth nurturing and worth returning to once a year.
When was the last time you allowed yourself to humble and teachable? We are all a neophyte of something, especially the better future we desire. During Imbolc, we go inside to find that light, humble ourselves like a little child, and allow Spirit to teach us.
Allow your inner maiden to offer you hope this year. After all, you can have as many wishes you want, and the more wishes you make, the more magnificent your life and the world will become.
Blessed Imbolc, Sisters!
With Love,
Folkmother Sage
