Happy Imbolc!
Imbolc is a time to reflect on the past and prepare for the upcoming spring, a time to release what has weighed you down and make sure you aren’t carrying anything that could hinder new growth. As the point of the Medicine Wheel closest to Ether, Imbolc is particularly mysterious and fascinating in the shamanic Wheel of Life.
A TRANSITION POINT
In shamanism, there is a particular interest in transitions, in the “betwixt and between” things, the cracks between the worlds. This is where the really interesting stuff happens, where the veil between the physical and spiritual realms is at its thinnest.
Read more about the betwixt and between places.
Imbolc is a time of transition from Earth to Air, winter to spring, elder to infant, rebirth, timeless to future, from endless to plans and ideas, and from fear of change to openness to change.
At Imbolc, things have ended, but nothing new has begun yet. It’s a place of pause, stillness, emptiness, and simply being rather than doing.
NOT A TIME FOR NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS
Unfortunately, our modern culture does not view Imbolc this way. Instead, the Christmas and winter solstice, which should be a time of stillness and reflection, has become one of the busiest times of the year. Consequently, Imbolc is often associated with New Year’s resolutions and the pressure to start new things. But if we were to live more in harmony with the natural cycle, new beginnings are actually in the spring, when the energy of things bursting into life is strongest. This disconnection from the natural cycle may explain why so many New Year’s resolutions fail within a few weeks. While starting new things is possible at any point, since it’s wheels within wheels, Imbolc is not the right time to make goals and start new projects.
TIME OF GRIEVING AND LETTING GO
During hunter-gatherer times, the winter was a time of scarcity, when energy was conserved and used mainly for repairing and making tools. It was a difficult time, and if the spring was delayed or the winter was harsh, many people, particularly the elderly and children, would not survive. Thus, it was also a time of grieving and endings.
Just as pruning a bush or hedge requires cutting away the old to make way for new growth, the cycle of life also necessitates letting go of the past to make room for new beginnings. In this regard, Imbolc serves as a potent reminder, presenting a time for reflection and preparation for new growth, a time to pause, reflect, and clear the decks to prepare for spring.
HONORING IMBOLC
As we approach the end of winter, it’s important to reflect on the things we want to leave behind and make a clean break from. The new can only emerge if the old is cleared away. There is no better time to reflect on this than Imbolc.
LIGHTEN YOUR LOAD
During the next six weeks, consider what you want to let go of and disentangle from. Ask yourself: What can I put down? What can I disentangle from? How much can I let go of? This could be anything from old habits, relationships, possessions, or even old stories or beliefs that no longer serve you. Seek help from your guides in this process.
BURIAL JOURNEYS
Those familiar with shamanic journeys can significantly benefit from burial journeys (learn how to do a shamanic journey here).
Burial journeys can help us when we:
- are ungrounded in any way.
- are not feeling that we really ‘belong’, or that we do not have a place on the Earth. Maybe at some level, we even feel we have never fully ‘arrived’ here.
- struggle with being fully present in our body and tend to live in our head instead, or are prone to feeling dreamy and spaced-out.
- need help strengthening and deepening our connection to Mother Earth.
SPRING CLEANING
Additionally, during Imbolc, you can symbolize letting go by physically spring-cleaning your home. Go through your room and house, and ask yourself, “Is this serving me any more?”. Get rid of things that no longer serve you, such as old photographs, letters, books, ornaments, and gifts from ex-lovers. Remember that hunter-gatherers didn’t hold onto anything, and lighten your load as much as possible.
PRACTICE STILLNESS
We live in a culture where being quiet and doing nothing is often frowned upon, and where we may feel we “should” always busy and “achieving” things. And indeed, many of us do lead busy lives! Nevertheless, at this time of year, try and give yourself permission to spend at least some time just being, rather than doing. So this Imbolc, take long baths. Meditate, even if it’s just for 10 minutes every day. Be a sleepy bear. Go to bed early. Read a book. Sit and do nothing. Just breathe and watch the clouds and listen to the birdsong. And, if you struggle with this, try and notice what part of you struggles with this, what part you are letting boss you around. For it is just a part of you, not the whole of you. Usually, it is an inner critic, and/or an inner pusher, perfectionist or pleaser. Then, thank it and tell it to step back a bit, and embrace your inner slacker for a while instead!
CONNECTING TO THE TIME OF YEAR
Lastly, try to see past the modern human world and notice the season of the year around you. I know the seasons are skewed because of climate change, but still. Pay attention to things like holly, snowdrops, robins and catkins, and remember that spring isn’t here yet. This is a time of transition, so take it slow and let the energy build up for new growth.
Blessings,
Paul Francis
Upcoming courses:
THE FIRST-STEPS INTRODUCTORY COURSE
The essential introductory course for anyone wishing to explore this approach. More details here.
Flexible study. You can either attend the sessions live, or do the course at your own pace and time by watching the recordings of the online sessions (recordings are made of all the theory presentations, journey instructions, and Q&A discussions, and are available for a further 6 months after the last online session).
Learn:
- The history of shamanism and animism, and how this indigenous knowledge was central to how all our ancestors once lived. How, in turning away from this, and disconnecting from the natural world, we lost our way (the “Great Forgetting”). Discover how we can bring this ancient wisdom back (the “Great Remembering”).
- How to do a shamanic journey (a practical, safe and step-by-step method).
- How to do a Power Animal retrieval journey and find your Power Animal.
- Other practices to powerfully connect back to nature.
- Therapeutic Shamanism – the differences and similarities between ancient shamanism and modern psychotherapy, and what they might learn from each other.
- How to practice shamanism in an ethical way, and based on healthy power dynamics.
- The basics of how to do simple shamanic healing for other people (including not just humans, but pets and other animals too).
- How to use this knowledge and these practices to continue what can be a life-long journey of growth, healing, wonder and discovery.
- … and much, much more besides!
Now with 2 bonus videos:
- What (possibly) happens when we die
- Why we get ill – power loss and soul loss
After the First Steps
Self-paced. Animals, Plants and Stones. Working With Other-Than-Human. A Self-Directed Next-Steps course.
Self-paced. Exploring the Lower World. A Self-Directed Next-Steps course.
LAST CALL – starts today. Embodied Shamanism. Reichian Character Structure & Wisdom Of The Body. A Further-Steps course.
August 2025. The Shamanic Worlds. Teachings and healing powers of the Realms of Sea, Land, Sky and Fire
November 2025. Exploring the Shamanic Upper-World. Shamanic Spirituality, Mindfulness and Meditation Practices
Late 2025 (date to be confirmed). Our Shamanic Practitioner Training.
