Merry meet all,
A powerful snowstorm blew in at the Atlantic provinces here, creating record amounts of snow. Over three thousand people lost power which thankfully I was exempt from. The Cape Breton provinces received the most snow, a total of 150 centimetres in some areas. The amount of snow was unreal. It is really bad and I just hope that things get better.
Imbolc is here, along with the record-breaking snowfall. I cooked Guiness Stew, a new recipe. Beer broth took some adjusting too, but it is delicious. I encourage you all to try steak soaked in beer broth at least once or several times in your life- with more Guiness and rustic bread. Let the stew steep as that really draws out the flavours.
I worry for those in Cape Breton in regards to the storm. They need food and are not able to get to work. Now the climate change deniers can look me in the eye and tell me that climate change isn’t real. It is. The polar ice caps are melting. We received a winter’s worth of snow in a weekend. That is not normal. I keep filling the bird feeder. As soon as I do, they are right there at the feeder, pecking for seeds, the poor things. I have to stock up on more seed. I refuse to see them starve.
I hope that the long black boards can finally be adhered to my altar this weekend. The weather must cooperate. It will just be such a game changer and I can’t wait to have my altar off the floor. It will make such a difference in here, because I will be able to store stuff underneath the altar and no longer need to kneel on the floor. I wear a lot of black and my cat has white fur- need I say more?
I bought a set of queen-sized black linen bed sheets to match the black blanket I bought from Killstar. I swear I sleep better with darker sheets. I also got some white magazine holders and have now happily arranged papers and magazines. It looks so much more organized and coordinated. I am on a mission to get more organized, even if it takes the rest of my life. I am making progress though.
Imbolc may be the first of the three spring Sabbats but spring is a long way off here yet. Imbolc occurs on February 2nd is the second Sabbat of the Wiccan year. Seeds stir under the soil and animals slowly emerge from their long hibernation. Imbolc is the cross-quarter day between Winter Solstice and the spring equinox. Candlemas is also celebrated on February 2nd. The God returns and strengthens his power. The Goddess gave birth to the God at Yule and returns her maiden role for spring.
Imbolc is an old Irish word for the birthing of the first lambs of the season, and is often times translated as “ewe’s milk.” The Celts revered the Goddess Brighid for her talents with poetry, healing and smithcraft.
We will discuss Imbolc more in the upcoming posts.
Merry Imbolc
Blessings, Spiderwitch
