Friday, January 31, 2020

The Wheel of the Year Turns to Imbolc


Imbolc: that time of year when She is waking up, blessing the seeds and the tools needed for planting. The time when we honor Brigid and tend to what has been germinating our own deep souls over the winter months, preparing for the inevitable growth that comes in the Spring.

I'm in the process of creating magical gardens with the nature spirits and elements. I gather seeds for my garden throughout the seasons storing those little packets and tiny bags in a vintage style tin box until it’s time for planting. I feel blessed to have such an assortment of seeds knowing the potential of each seed once it's planted, grows to flowering with a different nature spirit patiently waiting for expression in the guise of a bloom.

I honor the seeds and give them a special blessing to start their new life in the warm moist womb of Mother Earth. 

Here are two short seed blessing I use during Imbolc.

Each Imbolc I gather my seeds placing them in the center of my altar I surround them with stones, crystals and shells. I light a candle or two and I focus my intentions for health, happiness, good growth and harvest into the seeds.
The seeds are then empowered with healing energy through ritual words something simple like:
Mother of us All, Help these Seeds grow strong and tall,
A bountiful harvest I have in sight,
Blessed by the Sun, Rain and Your pale Moonlight.

A seed blessing can be very simple, yet effective form of Herb Magic since the plant grows with time, it allows you to concentrate on your intention for a longer period. As the seed grows, your intention becomes stronger, and so does the plant. If the plant is strong, it means your goal will come to fruition; but if it withers, your goal was not meant to be. Additionally, you can use the plant to make another spell afterwards and it will already be charged with energy.

To enhance the effects of your seed blessing, choose your plant according to the energy that you want to bring into your life. Use the list below for a quick reference but do not limit your choice to only what is listed.
  • Basil: wealth, home protection, brings harmony in a relationship
  • Bay Leaf: psychic powers, wards off evil, grants wishes
  • Coriander: love, seduction, health, healing
  • Lavender: dream work, calmness, joy, beauty, love
  • Lemon Verbena: purification, protection, love
  • Oregano: joy, vitality, strength, health
  • Parsley: protection, purification, lust, fertility
  • Peppermint/Spearmint: sleep, protection, purification, healing, love
  • Rosemary: purification, protection, love, sleep
  • Sage: purification, protection, wisdom, grants wishes
  • Thyme: health, healing, sleep, psychic abilities, love, purification
Prepare the space and set the altar. Do what you need to do to get in the appropriate mindset. 
Say a few words to invoke the goddess (you can name any goddess of your choosing:

Welcome Goddess please join me, bless me with joy and warmth and with your help bless these seeds.

Now, take the seeds and hold them in your two hands. Name the plant that you’ve chosen. Say something like this:

May these seeds(name seeds you have chosen) be blessed with (name your intention).
As the seeds grow, so my intentions flow. For the greatest good of all, So let it be.

As you say the words, focus strongly on your goal. Repeat the incantation until your intention is clear in your mind.

Then, place the seeds in the planter and cover them with soil and water. While you are watering the plant, imagine a ray of pure golden light surrounding it.

I hope that you enjoyed the seed blessing, it is simple to do yet very powerful if you have the proper mindset. If you perform this ritual or one of your own, tell me about how it went in the comments section below! 
Have a blessed Imbolc.