How does this holiday fit in your path? Will you honor it in someway? How will that look? Please share your personal perspective on this quickly approaching turn of the wheel...
Al
Al
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Missouri
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Re: what will Imbolc look like for you?
Sat, January 26, 2008 - 11:19 AM____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Imbolc is a time of fire and purification, and when I think of Brigid's healing flame I think of illumination and cleansing. For Imbolc I will do a candle flame meditation and a ritual honoring the return of the Sun. It is a great time to remember what Buddha told Ananda, his chief disciple, before he died.
"Appa deepo bhava...be a Light unto Yourself."
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A MONK ASKED THE BUDDHA:
What is the most powerful and what is the most illuminating?
THE BUDDHA SAID:
Meekness is most powerful for it harbors no evil thoughts, and moreover it is restful and full of strength. As it is free from evils it is sure to be honored by all.
The most illuminating is a mind which is thoroughly cleansed of dirt, and which, remaining pure, retains no blemishes. From the time when there was yet no heaven and earth till the present day, there is nothing in the ten quarters which is not seen or heard by such a mind. For it has gained all knowledge and for that reason it is called illuminating.
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Re: what will Imbolc look like for you?
Mon, January 28, 2008 - 8:01 AMBut dirt is also the fertile medium from which seeds take root...
if one's mind is cleansed of all dirt, in what medium do the seeds of creativity and radical new ideas take root?
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Re: what will Imbolc look like for you?
Mon, January 28, 2008 - 8:28 AMah, so it IS good to have a dirty mind!! ; )
honestly? I love sitting back and watching Groundhog Day. And also we start seedlings. Simple, but pleasurable, and all in all pretty apt. -
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Re: what will Imbolc look like for you?
Wed, January 30, 2008 - 3:38 PMdepends on what kind of dirt you are creating, I think...is that dirt in your mind good compost made from the leavings of organic ideas and matter that couldn't be used in the first goround or had to fall before it could grow again, or is it chemically altered, faux soil that won't really nurture you and must be supported through continually feeding of more chemically altered, fake stuff?
And me? I'm gathering with any maiden, mothers, crones, warrior women, poetesses, keepers of the hearth, women of the earth that I can find here in our little burb. We are celebrating together, regardless of the spiritual path each one may follow---i called it the "finding the fire in the midst of winter feast". I wish you were closer Maya, m'dear, cuz you would definitely have been on the invite list!
I also do some sort of ritual on Imbolc, sometimes alone, sometimes with friends...because Brighid means a lot to me. This year I have several seeds for which I am preparing the good soil...but not quite ready to plant yet. Too cold. -
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Re: what will Imbolc look like for you?
Thu, January 31, 2008 - 7:10 AMI just meant "dirty" as an innuendo!
Wish I were there, too. Sigh. Miss y'all.
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Re: what will Imbolc look like for you?
Mon, February 11, 2008 - 12:01 PMmy mind is a garden
my thoughts are its seeds
and i can grow flowers
or i can grow weeds...
i think in the sutra dirt has the same meaning as the weeds do in the poem above.
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Re: what will Imbolc look like for you?
Fri, February 1, 2008 - 12:54 PMThis might seem silly, but on a very simple level i think of childbirth and begin debating in my head why my soul chose this incarnation, what karma do i have. i do small crafty stuff like a bridgit bed and doll to keep near the hearth and light a flame for her. I never felt the need to go all out for Imbolc. just total thanks that winter will be over soon (the cold is not my friend) lol *dork* -
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Re: what will Imbolc look like for you?
Tue, February 5, 2008 - 7:19 AM26 women, ranging in age from late teens to mid 50's and two young ones joined together to share in food and stories and laughter. It was a riot. It was hot hot hot!!!! By the power of magick and fate no single woman in the group (other than me, who orchestrated it) knew more than 3 or 4 of the other women there...so there was much talking and cross-pollinating and "getting to know you" stories and so much cackling!!! hee hee hee
we never made it to the "official" ritual...but there was really no need. It was all right there, already.
Blessed Be!
It was 73 degrees in Missouri yesterday...and tonight it is supposed to snow. I really do love this crazy Missouri weather. Tis never boring!
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