Wake up!  Wake up! The first day of spring is upon us.  

As you peer at me from your winter slumber, you grumble stating “But my Chiefs cheerleader calendar says that Spring starts on March 20, what’s up?  I should have another six weeks to sleep! ”   

The seasons are brought about by earth’s relationship with sun whereby she exposes each of her poles to sun for half of the year as she orbits around it.  If we look at defining the start of a season from the viewpoint of weather, spring should probably start around March or at the Vernal Equinox because this would allow us to group the coldest months of Dec-Feb together as winter and the hottest months of Jun-Aug as summer.  That is how it is done in North America.  In ancient times however, and even in some countries today, the solstice celebrations were called Midwinter and Midsummer therefore they could not indicate that start of a season.

Pagans celebrate the seasonal cycles by observing the Wheel of the Year or the eight sacred holidays or festivals.  These festivals occur on either the four quarters or four cross-quarters of the year.   Quarter days are those days when the sun is either the closest to the sun, the farthest from the sun, or somewhere in between – these are our solstices and equinoxes.   Cross quarter days are those that are exactly between these points.  Astrologically, the quarters are called the points of energy potential and are called the Lesser Sabbats.   The cross-quarters are considered the points of greatest momentum and release of power and are called the Greater Sabbats.  These days are change points or times when energy is manifested.   Fire Festivals also take place on these days because of this.   Since Midwinter and Midsummer both occurred on solstices, the ancients obviously chose to use the cross-quarter days as the start of the seasons.

This upcoming cross-quarter day is located at the midpoint between the Hibernal or Winter Solstice and the Vernal Equinox.   Astrologically we can determine the exact quarter day by calculating when the sun reaches fifteen degrees of Aquarius which will be at 10:45 AM on February 3rd.    Traditionally though, most Pagans choose to celebrate this holiday from sunset on February 1st until sunset on February 2nd.

Often called the dawn of the year, this day is a significant time in which the promise of the renewal of life is becoming manifest.   Just like the sun is not fully in the sky at dawn, so the winter weather may have not completely be gone but even in the bitter cold of February signs of new life begin to show that indicate that the earth is reawakening.  First is the obvious sign that the days are getting longer.  This is also the time when the agrarian peoples noticed that their ewes were beginning to lactate in anticipation of the spring lambs.  Two Gaelic names for this day include Oimelc which means “ewe’s milk and Imbolc which means “in the belly” have been used as names for this day.  Animals begin creeping out of the hibernation of winter, cautiously, like the ground hog that supposedly emerges on this day to check his shadow. (Anyone going to Punxsutawney?)  Farmers in some areas begin plowing and preparing their fields in anticipation for the first planting.     

What do you do in the morning? 

When you first wake up in the morning, you probably do a quick assessment.  You recognize that you are alive and you should definitely find great joy in that.  You might give yourself a quick check up to assess your current mental, physical, and emotional state and then make a quick plan to satisfy any immediate needs.  You might then bring your attention externally and acknowledge the wonders around you – the birds singing, the smell and warmth of your partner, the feel of the sun’s warmth and light.   If not, you should, as it is always a good idea to acknowledge those things around you that can bring joy and happiness into your life.   Though it might feel good to snooze and lounge for awhile, there comes a time where you must acknowledge that you need to get up and face the day.  You wander over to the sink and begin to prepare yourself -- you may take a shower, brush your teeth, and scrub your face.  You look in the mirror and make yourself more attractive to yourself and others.   You may then eat some breakfast and have a cup of coffee.  Sometime during this process you start to think about how you are going to tackle the events of the day.

This sabbat is celebrated in a similar manner whereby Pagans take this opportunity to prepare themselves for the upcoming year.  It is a time to perform purification or spiritual cleansing where one discards in a literal and figurative sense what is no longer of use.  This might be as simple as performing the annual spring cleaning of the home to a careful reevaluation of oneself.  This is a great time to identify the obstacles, old ways, distractions or problems that inhibit us from growing. It is a time of new beginnings.  It is a time traditionally chosen by some covens to initiate new members.    

The candle is often used as an important symbol on this date.  In the time before electricity, the candle was first light of the day before the sun had fully risen.   The candle today can represent many things to include new beginnings, awakening, energy, preparing, and welcoming.  Some traditions use this association by lighting or making new candles.  Most use it in celebrations.

So by whatever name you call this day whether it be Imbolgc Brigantia (Caledonni), Imbolic (Celtic), Imbolc, Imbolg, Disting (Teutonic), Lupercus (Strega), St. Bridget's Day, Candlemas, the Snowdrop Festival, the Festival of Lights, or the Feast of the Virgin, make sure that you place your energy in creating and fulfilling positive life enhancing goals and not dwelling on past problems or obstacles.  Remember that “energy flows where attention goes.”  The problems and challenges of life can be considered a means for a perfect universe to communicate that you have room to grow.  Manifest what you want to become.  So get up and enjoy the dawn.  Use this day to help you prepare and send you on the journey of your dreams.