Imbolc for the Spoonie

I ended up having to take a few weeks’ break after the chaos of holiday travel and a visiting long-distance sweetheart, so my apologies for the radio silence! I’d like to dedicate the first post of the year to Imbolc, which will be upon us at the beginning of February. Imbolc marks the transition from winter to spring. It’s the time for airing out the stuffiness of winter, making space for new plans and projects, and for many, honoring the goddess Brigid. 

I am comparatively new to the deity work aspect of witchcraft, but I like the idea of using a sabbat to honor Something. No matter if that Something is a specific deity, an archetype, a general energy, or even something within yourself. Brigid has many associations, from the maiden/mother/crone cycle to childbirth to flame and water. But given her many connections to nurturing energy, now is the perfect time to honor any form of nurturing presence in our lives. Some might call this presence the divine feminine, and if that resonates with you, that’s a good energy to work with! But this energy exists in all of us–femmes, mascs, and those of us outside the binary, too. So I prefer to take a leaf from my favorite tarot deck, Cedar McCloud’s Numinous Tarot, and call this energy “nurturing” instead of “feminine.” 

As disabled and neurodivergent (ND) folks, it can be hard or even impossible to make time, space, and energy for rejuvenating activities. We’re doing good just to get the bare necessities done! But when we are able to, even every now and then, we should try to take care of ourselves. Not just in the sense that we “take care of” our daily needs, but truly taking care of ourselves the way a loving parent or significant other might. It’s become a stereotype at this point, but we all deserve the occasional self-care moment of taking a bubble bath or getting a massage. And the beginning of spring feels like an apt moment to indulge, to shake off the drudgery of the winter months (especially for those of us who struggle with Seasonal Affective Disorder!) and refresh ourselves for the spring. 

So to celebrate Imbolc, let’s choose an indulgent activity that feels manageable/achievable, and dedicate it to a nurturing, rejuvenating energy greater than us. 

PREPARATION

First of all, think about what sorts of things recharge you. I don’t mean baseline necessities like sleep or food. I mean those activities that feel like a gift you give yourself. This will be different for everyone! A few obvious options include the above self-care measures (taking a bath, massage, etc.) but you might prefer an hour curled up with an excellent book. You might feel refreshed after getting coffee with a loved one. The two biggest factors to consider when selecting your activity are 1) is this something you don’t get to do as often as you like? And 2) is this something that recharges your inner batteries? Obviously you do need to think about the practicalities, too–perhaps a trip to the beach would refresh you, but if that’s cost/time/energy prohibitive, that shouldn’t be the activity you pick. And if your activity is one of those things that you sometimes but not always have the energy for (for instance, going to get coffee with a friend might be impossible for me in the grip of a fibro flare-up), I recommend having a lower-key activity in mind as a backup (mine might be taking an epsom salt bath at home could work). 

Once you’ve got an activity picked out, the next step is to decide what or who to dedicate the activity to. If you already work with a deity who has a nurturing, reassuring presence for you, then this is easy. (I’m a devotee of Hestia, who certainly fits the bill, for instance!) If you don’t typically work with deities, or if your patron deities aren’t quite the warm and fuzzy sorts, you can always work with Brigid. Here is an excellent overview of Brigid, her associations, and her evolution as a deity. 

Personally, though, I don’t like to call on deities that I haven’t already worked with a bit. I wouldn’t show up at a stranger’s house and dedicate an activity to them or ask for their aid. I like to at least introduce myself first. If that’s the case for you, too, broaden your scope a bit. Rather than choosing a specific deity, you might choose an energy. The divine feminine could work, or just “the energy of love” or something on that order. If you work with tarot cards, you could pull out the Empress or the Queen of Cups–I often use tarot cards to evoke certain energies or archetypes in my spellwork. 

If none of these options feel Right to you, one final option is to simply dedicate your activity to your inner nurturer. That aspect of you may be hidden, quiet, or tamped down from years of having to put on a brave face, just survive, etc. But they are in there, in one form or another, and this is a great opportunity to reach out to them and thank them for all they do. 

THE ACTIVITY

Choose a time and space where you can be as focused as possible. This doesn’t require solitude or silence–maybe your activity needs to take place somewhere public, for example, or you focus better with music playing–but it does need minimal distractions. Young kiddos and animals (who aren’t directly involved in your chosen activity!) should probably be with someone else if possible. If you’re in public but alone, consider wearing headphones as much as you can–this tends to send the signal to passers-by that you prefer to not be disturbed. If you’re with a loved one, ask that device usage is kept to a minimum. You get the idea! 

Before you begin the activity you’ve chosen, take a moment to get grounded. If you can, put your hands over your heart. Close your eyes if that helps you focus. Speak the following words, either silently to yourself, aloud, or via sign language: 

As the new season pokes up from the ground like a new seedling, 

So, too, do I stretch and shake off the winter months. 

I take this time for myself, to renew and refresh for the months ahead. 

I dedicate this time to (insert your chosen deity or energy here), in gratitude for the care I am given, 

And I ask for support as I begin anew. Remind me to care for myself as I do now. 

If giving offerings is your thing, you may give an offering to your chosen deity or energy. For Hestia, I tend to use olive oil, lavender flowers, and barley, but it’s relatively easy to look up any specific deity’s preferred offerings. In a pinch, I’ll use tea leaves or coffee grounds as an all-purpose offering–this could work well if you’re dedicating to an energy rather than someone in particular. You can even just write a few words of gratitude on a slip of paper and offer that!

From here, you simply do whatever activity you have chosen. Simple enough, right? Do make an effort to stay mindful throughout the activity. When your mind inevitably wanders, gently bring it back to enjoying whatever small luxury you’re giving yourself. But don’t berate yourself for losing your focus, either! Ideally you want to be focused enough to bask in your self-care, but not to the point that it’s taking away from the enjoyment. 

When you’re finished, give one more round of thanks to your chosen deity or energy. It can be as simple as, “I thank you, (deity or energy), for your assistance today.” But you can also just speak from the heart here, and say whatever comes to mind. If it feels right, you can also ask for insight on other ways to care for yourself. You may get an answer right then, or it might come to you later. If you do ask for insight, keep your eyes and mind open to what may surface. 

Imbolc blessings to all of you, my dears! May your spring bring renewed energy, focus, and an easing of any symptoms that might be plaguing you. Any new projects or plans that you’re hoping to work on in the coming months? I’d love to hear about them in the comments, as well as what activities you choose for self-care!