#2. Imbolc Creative Women’s Circle

August 2, 2023

#2. Imbolc Creative Women’s Circle

August 2, 2023

Imbolc creative women's circle

a time when new beginnings are nurtured

Imbolc

Imbolc, an ancient Celtic festival, marks the midpoint between winter and spring. In the Southern Hemisphere, this transition occurs at the beginning of August, while in the Northern Hemisphere, it arrives at the start of February. As we currently reside in the Southern Hemisphere, we celebrated this occasion on the second of August.

During Imbolc, the season gradually warms, and trees begin to sprout delicate buds, heralding the imminent arrival of spring’s enchanting embrace. It is a time ripe for fostering new ideas and embracing fresh beginnings. Moreover, Imbolc offers a potent energy that can be tapped into for the creation of spiritual art or for introspective journaling, allowing new thoughts and inspirations to flourish.

What to notice during this time

Are new life changes making them selves apparent in your mind? Are there blocks or walls that are stopping you?

My new beginnings

My art is my passion, my guide, my transformation, my dreams, my awakenings, my intuitive power, my spiritual magic. For a long time I have allowed other things to step in the way of it.

What blocked me?

I relinquished my creative autonomy for the sake of my family, convinced it was the right path. They never demanded such sacrifice; rather, it was my cultural convictions that led me to blindly forsake my passions. These notions ingrained in me, that as a mother, my desires must always take a backseat to those of the family. I was taught to suppress my emotions, to internalize my struggles for the sake of familial harmony. The expectation to maintain emotional fortitude for the sake of my loved ones was paramount. Any deviation from a cheerful disposition was seen as disruptive to the family’s well-being. Moreover, once a decision was made, changing it was frowned upon. These cultural doctrines kept me in the dark, preventing me from realizing that it was my own beliefs clouding my vision. I internalized judgments and blamed others for my circumstances, attributing my lack of creative expression to their needs. Though unspoken, this internal conflict brewed, leading to frustration and resentment towards myself and others, as I struggled to recognize and confront my own resistance.

I don't want to be full-time mumming it

What is my truth? What do I desire? “I don’t want to solely focus on being a full-time mum.” “I. Don’t. Want. To. Be. Full time. Mumming it!” These words marked one of the most challenging realizations to fully embrace. Alongside them surged waves of guilt, feelings of inadequacy, and a sense of mourning. Initially, I envisioned homeschooling our daughter until she turned seven. However, in recent weeks, I’ve felt ensnared between the expectations of what I thought I should do and what I genuinely desire. On one hand, I felt obliged to adhere to my initial plan of homeschooling; on the other, I yearn to reconsider and acknowledge that this is no longer my preference. Guilt creeps in as I prioritize my own needs over those of my child. Feelings of inadequacy arise from the belief that I’m not fulfilling enough for my family. And grief overwhelms me as I anticipate the separation that comes with no longer having my daughter by my side every hour of every day, knowing that adjusting to this change will require time and effort.

The 1st step: Acceptance

Acknowledging my decision to discontinue homeschooling our child marked the initial stride. Embracing this raw truth within myself resembled confronting a daunting creature, yet eventually forging a bond with it. This confrontation unveiled the beauty of navigating through those enigmatic uncertainties.

The 2nd step: Allowance

Taking the second step involved permitting myself to return to the realm of artistry. It meant granting myself the freedom to indulge in this passion without the weight of external constraints restraining my creative impulses.

The 3rd step: Aligning with my truths

Embracing those fundamental truths propelled me towards my genuine self. The strength of acceptance, coupled with unflinching honesty, swiftly brought forth all the answers I sought.

What became manifest

Thanks to the unwitting guidance of a dear friend, our family stumbled upon a school that perfectly resonated with our values, principles, and boundaries. As we filled out enrollment forms, anticipating a wait of 6 to 12 months for our daughter’s placement, the principal surprised us by offering immediate enrollment. A wave of excitement and relief washed over me, signaling that we were in sync with the universe’s flow. I felt reassured that our daughter would be nurtured and supported in an environment conducive to her growth.

A surge of enthusiasm ignited within me as I prepared to embark on my new spiritual art journey. With a commitment to intention and authenticity, I shed old paradigms and embraced this fresh path with anticipation.

Feeling the magic of Imbolc

Experiencing that sense of flow, of harmony, of serenity, was akin to feeling weightless. It was as if I were intertwined with a small branch on a tree, yet simultaneously aware of the leaves, the trunk, the roots, and even the soil and other flora surrounding it. I was immersed in the flow, deeply connected. By staying true to myself, everything else unfolded before me.

Creative Circle

On that evening, my soul friend (SF) and I deliberately gathered in a circle. She had arranged a sacred circle adorned with Jane Hardwick Collings’ crafted cards, candles, feathers, journals, oracle cards, and an array of other spiritually charged trinkets. Initiating the session, she invoked a prayer to welcome the directions and anchor ourselves in the present moment. Following this, we purified the space, our journals, and cards with sage, and began documenting our thoughts in our journals while selecting a card from our personal decks. Once prepared, we embarked on creating our spiritual art pieces.

Too much information

An abundance of information surfaced for both of us, especially for my soul friend (SF). Our discussions delved deeply into current life events, uncertainties, grappling with our shadows, and a myriad of other topics. As our gathering drew to a close, we remarked that we should have recorded our conversations, realising they held profound value for reflection, particularly come the next year’s Imbolc.