Imbolc for the ancient people of western Europe, especially the people of the British Isles and Gaul, was a sign of change in the seasons. They would begin around this time to notice the lengthening of the days, and they would see their cattle (especially sheep at this time) start to produce milk. It was a sign that they should take stock of their food stores to weather the last part of winter. But it was also a time of divination, reading the weather on Imbolc was a long standing tradition. If the weather was bad, it would be an early spring, if the weather was good you were said to be in for a long winter. Of course today this tradition is mirrored by the groundhog.
But the idea that this day centered around change remains, and personally I find it fitting that it be paired with divination as well. Because the seasons, the cycles, the stories of the Gods and Goddesses, and all the ancient legends mean little if we do not apply them to life today. If we cannot learn from our faith how to be better, more, different, then what are we doing with our spirituality? Faith exists not to serve the Gods but to serve the people. So we look to the day’s message of change, and it’s ties to divination, and what does it tell you?
It tells me that change requires introspection, thought, and care. In the human sphere of influence this has always been true. Change without direction or purpose is simply self aggrandizing, it’s change for change’s sake. But change when taken on with a purpose, and care for what the outcome may be is change for good. And I mean that in all senses of that word ‘good’, it is good vs evil kind of good, it is good as in good for you good, and it is change for good in that it lasts. Long after our bodies have gone, what will we be remembered for? I think we will be remembered for the way in which we treat one another and the things we left behind for others. What traditions will we form? What ways will we leave a positive mark on the world, or at least on our communities?
None of this means that we need obsess over our legacy, everything in moderation. And it does not mean that every change comes about exactly as planned (there is no way I would have believed you when I was 20 if you told me that someday I would be a member of this Council) change comes often in its own time and own way. But as we walk through the world we can be mindful of the change we are making, look ahead to see if it is something we like tying our name too, and if not we can adjust accordingly. We will never know all the outcomes of our lives or the work that we do. But we can take the time to try and think before we act. To plan. We can take time to be introspective and apply all that we know before we begin. And that is an enormous gift we possess.
Today I give thanks for this gift and all the multitude of gifts that we have. I give thanks for the community that loves and supports one another. I give thanks for change. And I hope . . . and more importantly plan, to be a positive force for change. I wish you all the best and brightest of blessings! Hail the returning of the sun!
Blessed Imbolc!
