Imbolc, celebrated on 1 February, is the festival that marks the midpoint between the winter solstice and the spring equinox, is a time of nascent light. Not the dazzling kind, but the subtle kind that creeps in slowly, awakening inner seeds and new beginnings. It is an invitation to listen, to be present, to gently nurture what is emerging within us. In the slow rhythm of this season, we can honour the inner light and welcome its subtle messages.
Imbolc is an ancient Celtic festival, linked to the cycles of nature and the gradual return of light. Its typical symbols are the light of dawn, lit candles, seeds that herald new life, and milk, a sign of nourishment and abundance.
In the world of flowers, the snowdrop is its perfect symbol: fragile only in appearance, it is one of the first flowers to make its way through the frost. Its bright white colour heralds hope, purity and new beginnings. Like Imbolc, the snowdrop reminds us that even in the deepest cold, spring has already taken root.
It is the perfect time to pause and observe what is beginning to sprout within us: insights, projects, emotions and desires. That is why this year I am offering Reiki energy centring sessions (see HARMONY PORTAL section), designed to help you get in touch with your inner light and find balance in this transition between seasons. After the session, you will receive a small gift: a simple and personal gesture, slow and intuitive. Let yourself be surprised!
If Reiki is not your thing, I suggest you treat yourself to a moment of slow photography. You don't need to go far or look for anything special: just slow down. Whether you are at home, in the garden or out for a short walk, take your camera or phone with you as if it were an extension of your gaze. Breathe, observe. Let a detail catch your eye: a leaf, a lit window, a flower resisting the cold, a shadow on the wall. Only take the shot when you feel the moment is right. Without rushing, without judgement, without the goal of “taking beautiful photos”. The invitation is to stay, to notice the subtle transition between winter and what is coming into being. Slow photography thus becomes a practice of presence: a gentle way to honour Imbolc, listening to the natural rhythm of things and your own.
Imbolic reminds us that even on the coldest and quietest days, the light returns. Taking a moment to recognise it, to feel it within ourselves, is a gift we can give ourselves.
May the light find its time and rhythm within you.