Today is the beginning of my favorite time of year. The light is shining in around the planet as we note its arrival. The deep winter slumber becomes interrupted by the promise of a brighter longer day, spring growth, and the breaking through to another year. The old name for the seasonal holiday which occurs around groundhog’s day is Imbolc. Since I began studying these ancient earthly holidays, many years ago, this one quickly planted itself in my conscience as the most special time of year (for me). We are still deep in reflection and winter hibernation where we have slowed down, matching the seasonal darkness and rest. But a month after the holidays end, there is the promise of new beginnings. I love Christ, and he is the mover of my life. But I still believe we all are affected innately by the planets and the seasons, and if we tune into the sun, moon and the earth, we can witness a cycle repeating year after year and then have a platform and background onto which to mark our progress, movements and inner success. Cold stillness becomes accented by a hope, so real. We are promised a spring, and another day around the sun, and though true spring is still two months away, these late winter months in the temperate Pacific Northwest, speak of hope, the ground warming, awakening. There is a glint of new beginnings in the seeds and roots buried deep in the earth, stirring in their sleep as they culminate their dream cycles. This is what is happening within our consciousness and bodies. There is a sense that we will be awakening soon, to the true New Year, and we will renew our vows to ourselves and others. Yet let us remember to cherish these last couple weeks before the half way point between winter solstice and spring equinox, and finish healing and reflecting and resting. This is the time, for the explosion of spring awaits us!