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.