This evening through ’til tomorrow evening is Imbolc (also known as Candlemas, Imbolg, and Brigid’s Day), which marks the half way point between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox, and signifies the transition from winter into the first stirrings of spring. This holiday is about life renewing, but in the hidden darkness of cold months and dark earth.  Deep in the darkness seeds stir and roots begin to feel the warming of the earth as the days grow longer and nights shorter. Life awakens, invisible in its infancy.

Like with new moons and full moons, I usually do a spread to check in with myself and give myself some direction for the next couple of months for each solstice, equinox, and other Sabbats. This spread is an adaptation of my Self Care Saturday spread, so there are sure to be  some similarities in how it is read. The focus of this spread, though, is not about Self Care, but rather about progress and my path. The time period is also longer, reaching through the next handful of weeks until the celebration of the upcoming Spring Equinox at the end of March.

Theme of the Season – Imbolc, New Moon, Echinacea pallida

Imbolc – Beneath ice and snow, the earth stirs. The sun’s rays spend more time kissing her skin, and she warms deep within.  Seeds, once frozen solid and dormant in the cold, begin to awaken within the depths of the soil.  We cannot yet see what grows as seeds and roots begin to awaken from their sleep, but soon these stirrings will break free from the surface to share their renewal with us all.

New Moon – In the ebb and flow of the moon’s cycle, the New Moon is a time of rest. This lowest point in the moon’s energy and influence gives us a moment to pause.  To breathe.  To reflect upon the now, and on what is to come.

Echinacea pallida – In spellwork (at least in my path), Echinacea flowers are most commonly used as both an energy and intention amplifier, as well as sometimes as a blood substitute. It can also be used to bolster stamina, and increase one’s protections and/or prosperty.

When looking at these three cards together, the theme that I see here is that now is a time to gather strenght.  Instead of expending it at every turn, let it spool in and grow.  Give yourself time to shore up your reserves and build upon your energy base.  Just as the roots begin to feel the warmth of the sun, absorb it in and begin to gather energies needed to burst forth with new life in the spring… so too do you need to do the same.

Earth – Two of Pentacles Rx – You can do better to get a balance in your life in the areas of your self-care and your stability endeavors (finances, responsibilities, etc). The feeling of imbalance in your life right now is about the fact that you are not focusing enough on making sure you’re keeping things distributed in a healthy manner.

Air – Two of Wands Rx – Don’t stall out. There has been a good deal of advice from the cards lately on how to keep from feeling as if you’re falling into a mire of stagnacy.  Make sure you are taking small steps forward instead of induging in inactivity and resistance.

Water – Page of Wands – Stay motivated to explore your emotions, and invested in learning new ways to manage your emotional health and well-being.  You need to stay on top of this and aware of what’s going on with these elementsof your life instead of discounting them and ignoring them.

Fire – Five of Cups – Everything echoes back to your emotional well-being and stability right now. Make sure you are focusing on optimism and not allowing yourself to sink or stall out. Doing so will set you back everywhere.

Waning – Weaver atop Veil Walker – You have spent too much time focusing on the practical and need to turn instead to something more frivolous.  Life doesn’t always need to be about survival and what you need. Lighter times and having a bit of fun are just as important.

Waxing – Comforter atop Distaff – Set down your authority and responsibility long enough to truly enjoy and savor the little things and small comforts.  Sometimes if you spend too much time tending the soil, you end up missing the blooms.

Take Away – This entire reading is a warning on an incoming depression and encouragement on how to mitigate its effects. Although this reading is usually about my spiritual journey, what we see here is that something else (the depression) is going to overtake that journey if I don’t find a way to keep it in hand.

DECKS USED: SABBAT THEMED ART CARD, PAGAN UNDERWORLDS TAROT, COMPENDIUM OF WITCHES ORACLE, HEALING HERBAL CARDS VOL 1 & 2