Slow Living Guide for Imbolc & Ostara
Welcome to Part Two of the Mabon House Guide to Slow Living: Imbolc & Ostara. You can read Part 1 - Samhain & Yule here.
Imbolc & Slow Living
Imbolc marks the midpoint of winter. The days are steadily growing longer and the sun is getting stronger. In ancient cultures Imbolc was a time to celebrate Brigid, Celtic Goddess of crafts, learning and healing. Early Celtic celebrations included lighting fires to warm the frozen land, hanging a four cornered Brigid’s Cross above doorways to bless and protect a home, and practicing weather divination as a way to predict the future. Similar to the idea of Groundhog’s Day, ancient Celts would listen for a lark to sing on Imbolc. If they heard the bird, it meant that the God had returned to the Goddess and spring would be early.
With lengthening days and more sunlight, Imbolc offers a time for clarity. You have rested through the early part of winter following Samhain and spent time with friends and family during Yule. Now is the time to plan and start moving toward your goals and cultivate a lifestyle that fulfills you. Take time to refine and reconnect to your daily practices, whether that is journaling, movement, meditation or other activities that nurture your spirit. This is a time to explore what you need to do and learn in order to fulfill your passion and purpose. Follow along on Pinterest for more Wheel of the Year Inspiration
Ostara and Slow Living
Ostara is the celebration of the Spring Equinox. Day and night are equal in length and from this point forward the days are longer and the air warmer. Like animals coming out of hibernation and the trees stirring with sap and buds, our natural inclination is to do more. This is a good time to take advantage of the warming temperatures and soak up the spring air after a long winter. Take note of how nature is changing. What is blooming? What is growing in your corner of the world?
After the rest period of winter it can feel good to move and be busy once more. And while Ostara is a time for more action and more activity, there can also be pressure to do.all.the.things when spring arrives. There's a rush to clean up the yard, spring clean the house, get your summer wardrobe ready, go on a vacation, etc… Spring cleaning, decluttering, and digging in the dirt are all great Ostara slow living activities, but ultimately slow living during Ostara (and the rest of the year) is about following your unique cadence, your natural rhythm.
10 ways to Live Slowly & a Free Checklist
You do not have to cross off a giant to-do list or produce Pinterest-worthy flower beds to enjoy the beginning of springtime. The season of Ostara is a good time to choose some projects that will bring you joy, not stress. Perhaps start a container garden on your front porch, rather than a giant ground garden that will take you all summer to maintain. Or apply a fresh coat of paint for your favorite spaces in the home, rather than a full remodel. Or prepare a special Ostara meal with fresh springtime ingredients, rather than hosting a large gathering.
Going inward, Ostara is a good time to set some intentions for yourself. Just as you take action around your home, what actions should you be thinking about in other areas of your life? What kind of actions will help uplift you? Bring you more joy? Help move you in the direction you want to go? This could be a continuation of what you started during Imbolc or something new in your life.
Looking for some Ostara Inspiration (I mean, who isn’t?) Be sure to check out the free Mabon House Ostara Course.
