Friday Flowers #19~Imbolc

Hello Friends.

As we near the end of a seemingly endless January, we can take comfort that in the Wheel of the Year we have reached the cusp of Imbolc, rooted in Gaelic tradition and one of my favourite seasonal festivals.

Imbolc falls on 1st February, this Saturday, half-way between the Winter solstice and the Spring equinox. It is a literal celebration of the concept of renewal and the letting go of what is old, tired, worn and withered. But importantly, it has a focus on relief, positivity and freshness rather than solemnity and regret. It is a great time for anybody wanting to connect with nature, both practically and spiritually, as it means that new life and new growth is on the way.

As with the other Gaelic seasonal festivals, Imbolc is actually centred around the agricultural season and is the point at which preparations for Spring commence in earnest, and so it is also a very busy period of intention, emergence, planning and practice.

In the tradition of Imbolc, this week’s Friday Flowers will be guided by its associated colours, and will be a mix of fresh, snowy white blooms for the cold days, and vibrant orange hues to represent hope, joy and the Spring sun. I hope you will join me in welcoming Imbolc into your homes.

On another note I was given the greatest honour I could have been last week, which was to create farewell flowers for a lovely family, honouring their mum. To be trusted to do something so personal and special really was a privilege. Thank you Anita and Sonia.

As always, “Bringing the Outdoors In”.

Thank you.

Nicola