As the Wheel of the Year turns, we mark the holy day between Solstice and Equinox. Here in the Northern hemisphere, it’s Imbolc, a time when seeds begin to stir below ground, and birds and mammals test for signs of Spring.
It’s been “unseasonably” warm and wet in Northeast Turtle Island. Climate extremes yield floods that drown roots and winds that down trees. Climate change yields cycles out of whack.
Perhaps trees bud early and are susceptible to frost. Or Spring ephemerals rise and die back before those they feed are near. Or birds return from migration too soon for food sources to await them.
Is Nature confused?
My doodle accompanying this post is a photo/drawing of a wee apple seedling in front of my Brighid altar. The seedling is the wick of my candle. They push up one green leaf. Early. Is the seedling confused?
Can Nature be confused?
No, Apple is just expressing life, just living. As are the groundhogs out of their burrows early and the robins returned before worms wiggle out.
Nature strives to balance cycles. Nature strives to thrive. What we humans view as extreme weather is Earth’s reaction towards balance. Confusion is a human state. (And, yes, there’s A LOT going on in the world to be not only confused about, but angry, frustrated, and sad.)
So, what is the message of the season? The augury from Nature? Be like the Apple seedling—keep on expressing life. Grow towards our star, the sun. Push out a new leaf.
What leaf will you unfurl in the coming year? For me: polishing The Working, my lunarpunk novel that will launch this Summer. (Perhaps you saw my exciting news about a publishing contract?!)
Nature’s message, continued: At the same time, be true to your own cycle. Just because it’s Imbolc, you might not yet be ready to bud. (Or for my friends in Australia, New Zealand, and Brazil: your harvest might not yet be ready, even though it’s Lughnasadh in the Southern hemisphere.)
May your leaves grow towards a bright future, and may you unfurl in the forest of community creating the just, regenerative world we desire.
ps There is still some room in the online, reimagined Elements of Magic class I’ll be co-offering with Morgana. It begins Tuesday, Feb 13th (14th in Australia). This is the Reclaiming Tradition of Witchcraft’s first core class, a prerequisite for other classes. I’m thrilled that we have highly experienced and totally new folx from several continents joining us.