This beautiful song was written by Lorilei Greenwood specifically for an Imbolc ritual I conducted several years ago. It has become one of my favorites for this Sabbat. I hope you enjoy it as well.
The season of plenty is over and done.
We’ve welcomed the New Year
and welcomed the Sun.
The larder is leaner, the woodpile is low,
But somewhere,
spring waters are starting to flow
The world in her slumber
is starting to dream
Of green fields and pastures,
of honey and cream.
While we begin counting
each branch and each bowl,
The Gods are thus counting
the marks on each soul.
A time then of reckoning,
counting and worth,
Of deeming true value and culling our girth,
Of finding what matters,
what lies deep within,
And checking our balance
in spirit and skin.
When each mouthful matters,
when each blessing sings,
How can we then stew upon
these lesser things?
The ice is still thick and
the snow’s just as deep,
But we’ve things to do
while the world’s still asleep.
This season is owned not
by Winter nor Spring
But these quiet moments
have been measuring
In inches and hours,
in pounds and in pecks
Our world and ourselves
in their many respects.
We find something worthy,
we guard it with care.
We wonder at all
that is simply “just there.”
We buy and collect,
we save and we store,
At times such as these,
then we ask, “What’s it for?”
In Winter’s deep cavern,
the promise not born,
We stand at a threshold,
so eager yet worn.
A time for reflection,
and casting aside,
A time to be empty
and quiet inside.
The season of plenty
is over and done.
We’ve welcomed the New Year
and welcomed the Sun.
The larder is leaner,
the woodpile is low,
But somewhere,
Spring waters are starting to flow…
But somewhere
Spring breezes are starting to blow.
Wishing all of my Crossroads readers
A Very Blessed Imbolc
~ Ocean
This sculpture shows the sign for "connect"...and that is what Deaf Pagan Crossroads is all about - making connections. Connections between Deafhood and Paganism, connections between the Deaf Community and the Hearing Community, connections between myself as the writer and you as the reader. I hope you will take the time to read my various posts, some of which are listed below. Welcome to the Crossroads, and I hope you make some connections here!
Thanks for this! I so long for Spring!
I think most of us do, Sunny…including myself.
Well, if this little rhyme is true…
“If Imbolc day be snowy and gray,
Winter soon will melt away.
If Imbolc day be sunny and bright,
Winter shall retain it’s might!”
coupled with Punxsutawney Phil supposedly not seeing his shadow this morning, then it seems Spring is nearer than I would think, as yesterday and today have been snowy and gray!
The “Storm Watch” candle I had purchased from my sweet friend Annie of Annie’s Candles for my altar for Imbolc turned out to be more fitting than I had thought at the time, as it did start storming yesterday, and we are in fact keeping a close eye on what the storm is doing as it continues through today – the snow and ice mix is sure to cause some damage as well as it is making the roads “wicked slippery” (as us locals to Boston would say), so it’s dangerous driving out there.
I love New England winters, but I will welcome Spring with a smile as well. For today, I’m content to celebrate Imbolc safe and warm at home, honoring the goddess of the hearth. 🙂
May Brigid’s blessings shine upon all of us here at the Crossroads.