Reflections on Imbolc 2021

 

It's a subtle season. It still feels like winter and that spring is so far away. In a lot of ways that is true.  However, if I stand still long enough the hints of spring are there. It's been a pretty mild winter here in Minnesota this year. We haven't had any polar vortexes to speak of so far and in fact, we didn't even get below zero once in January. This has only ever happened two other times in the 150 years we've been keeping track of that kind of stuff here on official records.

I bought a new fancy camera with the hope of capturing some of the wildlife that visits our suburban backyard. Yesterday I was out on the deck trying to get some shots of the bird visitors. It was in the 30's which is warm for January, and while cloudy, I was out on my deck in just a hoodie. The snow dripping off my roof.

Chickadees are very brave and have no problem visiting the feeders while I am outside, but others are very shy. I noticed a flash of orange in the arborvitae and quickly surmised it was a lady cardinal. Her flashy red partner showed up too. I could tell that if I was on the deck they would not be coming down for a snack, so I went back inside and waited by the patio door in case they came out. It didn't take long and they both came to the feeders and I was able to snap a couple pictures that you see posted here from behind the glass so as not to disturb their quiet lunch.

This winter has seemed especially dark. And yet, there is hope on the horizon. My parents have gotten their first covid shots and are on the schedule in two weeks for their second round. Today in the US was the first time we vaccinated more people than there were new cases. There is a light in the darkness.

With that, my mind turns to the meaning of the holiday. A literal spring cleaning needs to be in the works for my house as well as my soul. I'm starting in the kitchen and reorganizing and purging. Cleaning out the cobwebs literally and metaphorically. That's why I resurrected this blog that sputtered out before it started. 

The stirrings of spring are in my heart and I look forward to this new season of rebirth and renewal. While there is still much grey and white left in the present, it won't be long before we see more color in our surroundings and feel that warmth from the sun a little more deeply.

Blessed Imbolc Friends!