From the Snow Moon to Imbolc and the Lunar New Year, February brings magical energies and opportunities.

1    1. The Snow Moon, February 1st

A gentle snowfall blanketing the land in silence and beauty evokes a meditative state. We turn our thoughts inward. This entrancing Magical Crafting video reminds us that the full Snow Moon is the perfect time to rest, reflect, and renew. Perform energetic cleansing. Ritually release that which no longer serves you, and set intentions for clarity and peace.

Magical Crafting Meditation

2    2. Imbolc, February 2nd

This festival day celebrates Brigid, the Celtic Triple Goddess of:

• Poetry/Inspiration
•  Hearth/Home
•  Healing/Wells
• Sacred flames/Smithcraft

An Imbolc Ritual

Moving clockwise, carry a white candle through each room in your home while saying a blessing such as this one from The Crone Grove, “May the light return, may warmth awaken, may life rise again.” 

More Imbolc Rituals

 

3       3. The Lunar New Year, February 17th

After the quiet spirituality of the Snow Moon & Imbolc, embrace the fiery energies of the Year of the Fire Horse. Step through the portal, claim your courage, and move when the momentum comes.

Women Leaders & The Fire Horse @jingtheory Instagram

Enjoy a magical month!

Bright Blessings,

Ariella Moon

 

 

 

Spiritual allies, including goddesses and gods, can provide strong protection, inspiration, and solace during adverse times. For February, let’s take a closer look at the Goddess Brigid (Brigit, Brighid, Bride, Brigantia).

 

As we enter our second year since COVID-19 was first reported, many are experiencing emotional, creative, and economic crises. So why turn to Brigid? I always feel Brigid’s power most strongly the first week in February when pagans celebrate Imbolc, the Celtic festival honoring Brigid. She is known as the goddess of fire, healing, poetry, and smith craft. But let us delve into the deeper meanings beneath these labels, and how they might aid us during the pandemic.

Fire: Reignite the Creative Spark

Many authors and artists found their creativity stymied during 2020’s political upheaval, social isolation, and climate of fear and uncertainty. Brigid inspires internal magic — the creative spark and inner healing. (Thoughts manifest in Air, but Fire gives them the creative spark.) Light a red candle in Brigid’s honor to renew your creativity. Safely burn it for 1 or 3 days until completely burned down. Always snuff out the candle; never blow it out, lest the magic dissipates. Never leave a lit candle unattended.

 

Brigid’s festival marks the halfway point of winter. The fire and light festival gave snowbound villagers, whose food may have been dwindling, hope for better times ahead. 

Photo by Philippe Ourselon Unsplash

Water: Healing and Protection

Hope has been a runaway horse during the COVID-19 pandemic, sometimes galloping across verdant fields, powered by good news. Other times, Hope stumbled or disappeared into valleys shadowed by alarming statistics. No wonder mental and physical illnesses surged, as did anxiety and stress. Unseen danger—the virus—seemed to lurk on the surfaces we touched and in the air we breathed. Brigid is not a substitute for wearing a mask, washing your hands, and social distancing. But as Brigantia, the personification of her namesake, Britain, we can call upon Her for added protection and to regain our personal sovereignty.

St. Brigit's Well, Kildare, Ireland Photo by Ariella Moon

Water is the element of emotions. Water calms. Pre-  pandemic, I made pilgrimages to wells and springs honoring Brigid’s healing powers. Dedicate a water feature in or around your home to Brigid. Or devote a bowl of spring water to Her and place it on your altar or outside. Remember to refresh the water often.

You are Invited!

A Celebration of Brigid

Saturday, January 30, 2021

6:00 PST

To receive a link to the online Imbolc ritual presented by the House of the Goddess, please contact them at houseofthegoddess@gmail.com.

 

For Further Insights Into Brigid

See also: Imbolc: A Mid-Winter Festival of Light and Hope

 

Yule marks the final seasonal ritual for many of us in the northern hemisphere. As we approach the Winter Solstice, sunlight disappears behind the mountains earlier, and dusk rapidly yields to night's cloak. 

Few of us will be sorry to bring 2020 to a close. It seems as though the dark days of the soul began not as the days grew shorter, but back in early March when the rogue COVID wave knocked us off our feet.

To help bring closure to this challenging year, I will be facilitating with the priestesses of the House of the Goddess and the Goddess Temple of Palm Springs during the online Yule celebration Saturday, December 19, 2020. The ritual begins at 6:00 pm PST. To join the ritual, email houseofthegoddess@gmail.com.

The Winter Solstice is an excellent time to meditate on what you do not want to carry forward into 2021. Release that which no longer serves your higher good. Send it pulsing down your body, down your legs, down the magical roots you spring from your foot chakras. Visualize the roots penetrating the ground and racing to the earth's molten core. Command whatever you release to burn, transform, and purify. Then bring revitalizing energy up from the womb of Mother Earth. Direct earth's chi up through your chakras, filling the voids left by whatever you released. Glow like Yule candles, bright with promise and hope.

Blessed be.

~Ariella

I invite you to save these dates!

September 13, 2019
"Defense Against the Dark Arts"
1:10PM - 2:30PM
Goddess Spirit Rising 
International Goddess Conference 
(September 12 - 15, 2019)
American Jewish University Brandeis-Bardin Campus

October 22, 2019
Healing Chakras Workshop

Pictured: "Flora, Roman Goddess of Flowers," by Evelyn De Morgan

The Wheel of the Year turns to Ostara and the Spring Equinox. In this time of renewal and rebirth, we awaken from winter's darkness and open ourselves to new growth, inspiration, and creation.