Anne Key's Blog - Posts Tagged "spring"
First day of Spring!
Tomorrow, Sunday morning, is the first day of spring. The solar cycle today is at the mid-point between Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox, the day when winter passes and Spring emerges and we begin to notice the longer days. I call this day the Greeting of the Light, as we welcome back the longer days now as the season of the dark begins to wind down. In the Celtic calendar, this day is a fire festival honoring Brigit, goddess of healing and the fire-wrought arts
I think of this as the moment I open my eyes, noticing the light of dawn but not quite ready to get out of bed. I huddle down a little longer in the down next, snuggled against my slumbering sweetie, and slowly open my eyes. Six weeks from now is Spring Equinox, and things will be full steam ahead then. But in this sleepy moment of dawn, when light begins to spill over the horizon but the sun has not yet come up, take advantage of this moment. What realizations did you have during these past long winter nights? What have your dreams told you? Take this time to embody all of the workings of winter. Maybe think of this as the shavasana before class begins, when we prepare ourselves to be whole.
If you get a chance one of these mornings, let the light of dawn spill onto your face, your chest. Open your heart to this early light of spring, and feel yourself cleansed and whole.
There is no way for us to remember this day without thinking of Patricia Monaghan. We miss you.
Bright Spring Blessings to all -- Anne
And…a little note on nomenclature: This festival is commonly called Imbolc (spelled either Imbolc or Imbolg, and pronounced “imolk”, from the Gaelic, meaning “around the belly”), traditionally celebrated February 2nd, or on the night before, February 1st. This festival is also referred to as Candlemas, originating from the Church of England. For the Northern Hemisphere, the First Day of Spring may be calculated as the date the Sun is at 15° Aquarius, which currently Falls around February 3rd to 4th.
I think of this as the moment I open my eyes, noticing the light of dawn but not quite ready to get out of bed. I huddle down a little longer in the down next, snuggled against my slumbering sweetie, and slowly open my eyes. Six weeks from now is Spring Equinox, and things will be full steam ahead then. But in this sleepy moment of dawn, when light begins to spill over the horizon but the sun has not yet come up, take advantage of this moment. What realizations did you have during these past long winter nights? What have your dreams told you? Take this time to embody all of the workings of winter. Maybe think of this as the shavasana before class begins, when we prepare ourselves to be whole.
If you get a chance one of these mornings, let the light of dawn spill onto your face, your chest. Open your heart to this early light of spring, and feel yourself cleansed and whole.
There is no way for us to remember this day without thinking of Patricia Monaghan. We miss you.
Bright Spring Blessings to all -- Anne
And…a little note on nomenclature: This festival is commonly called Imbolc (spelled either Imbolc or Imbolg, and pronounced “imolk”, from the Gaelic, meaning “around the belly”), traditionally celebrated February 2nd, or on the night before, February 1st. This festival is also referred to as Candlemas, originating from the Church of England. For the Northern Hemisphere, the First Day of Spring may be calculated as the date the Sun is at 15° Aquarius, which currently Falls around February 3rd to 4th.
Point of Balance - Spring Equinox
Today is the Spring Equinox, the height of spring. Today at the equinox we take a breath in at this moment of balance, when the northern and southern hemispheres are bathed in equal light. I feel like I am trying to precariously balance on one foot, the other barely touching the ground, then lifting – and I am in balance for just a few seconds before I have to put down my other toe to catch my fall.
This year, the year of the Snake, is a wonderful year to rid ourselves of old thoughts, old relationships – anything that binds and constricts us, any old skin that doesn’t let us move in new ways. Bright green shoots are poking their heads up, and my darling husband has already planted pansies to brighten the yard. The air is thick with kinetic potentiality (I’ll let my science friends chew on that phrase for a bit!).
Take a moment today to feel yourself in balance – either imagined or real. Take a look at all of the green shoots sprouting in your life. They won’t all come to fruition, and some might crowd what you’d rather have bloom. Take time to decide what needs to go to make way for the new.
Always my brightest blessings to you! Love -- Anne
This year, the year of the Snake, is a wonderful year to rid ourselves of old thoughts, old relationships – anything that binds and constricts us, any old skin that doesn’t let us move in new ways. Bright green shoots are poking their heads up, and my darling husband has already planted pansies to brighten the yard. The air is thick with kinetic potentiality (I’ll let my science friends chew on that phrase for a bit!).
Take a moment today to feel yourself in balance – either imagined or real. Take a look at all of the green shoots sprouting in your life. They won’t all come to fruition, and some might crowd what you’d rather have bloom. Take time to decide what needs to go to make way for the new.
Always my brightest blessings to you! Love -- Anne
Spring Cleaning
A little bit more spring cleaning needed, and this morning it was my altar. While removing all the little items that accumulate on the altar and wiping away the dust, I began thinking that this is the season of discernment. So much is beginning to grow, and I need to decide what stays so that I can get rid of what I don't need and give room to what I want to cultivate. To do that, I need clarity and determination. There is the idea that we plant the seeds, and then they grow, but that doesn't take into account all the other seeds that the winds blow, that the birds drop, that travel in the fur of cats until they fall off. Some of these seeds are beautiful serendipitous opportunities, while others might be taking up valuable space. Add these to the seeds I have planted thoughtfully in my soul, and there are lots of sprouts. This is the season of discernment. Choose what to cultivate. I thoughtfully replace some things on my altar, leaving space in between for new growth.
