Tag Archives: festivals

Happy Imbolc 2017

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We are about halfway between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. The light of the new sun has begun to shine bright, emerging from the darkness of deep winter. And even though the cold season has not ended yet, we are out of its hardest part.

As every main festival celebrating the Wheel of the Year, Imbolc is about light. In this case the light coming back again, getting everything ready for the upcoming spring (actually, for the Celts Imbolc was the first day of the season).

The light of Imbolc is the white light of purification. It dispels the darkness, revitalizing the stagnant energies of the old year. It is a time of renewal—especially physical—which often manifests through colds and flus.

It is no coincidence that this festival falls under the sign of Aquarius. It is the sign of revolution which breaks through old, dysfunctional structures, bringing a new order under the auspices of high ideals such as modernity and progress.

New year resolutions—sown early in the season—find at Imbolc the first opportunity to turn into a clear vision.

Their potential is disclosed.

 

Why It’s Important to Feed an Inner Light

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Castel del Monte, Andria (BT), ITALY— photo shot by Niccolò Rigacci

I can feel the warmth of sunlight on the face; the smells of the tired earth; the cool autumn wind on my chest. Today is Michaelmas, the festival dedicated to the Archangel Michael—warrior of the light. It is a potent archetype which reminds us to start feeding an inner light inside of us—preventing darkness to reach out our hearts.

Michael doesn’t kill the dragon. Our lower nature must not be rejected, condemned or despised. The only demons that exist in us are the ones we need. Sometimes we all need to blame something—or someone—especially when things go wrong. It is part of our nature—one of those weaknesses that make us human. And also the main reason why we create scapegoats (what demons really are).

Micheal’s symbols—the sword and the scale—have several traditional meanings. But today, as if I was interpreting a personal dream, I’m going to tell you the meaning they have for me. I like to think they are an exhortation to fight for that frail balance I was talking about on the Autumnal Equinox.

November is a tough month, isn’t it? It is the period of the year when the life of summer definitively dies. That’s why—as the external light fades away—an inner light must gradually replace it. After all, what’s depression if not the feeling that every light has gone? This might happen suddenly, but most of times you slip slowly into it.

That’s why it is important to feed an inner light. It can be anything that resonates within you: the memory of your loved ones, your meditation practice, contemplating nature, a sense of honor and integrity, and so on. Just find your own way—it will be like having a lantern that enlightens your way through the season.

The Voice of the Fall Equinox 2016

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fall16

Summer is about to end. The Autumnal Equinox is coming—light and darkness balancing each other. The physical warmth of the season is aging, turning slowly into a spiritual fire that kindly awakens human souls on earth. You can feel it everywhere, in the smells of the earth.

Equinoxes are challenging. They are all about balance between two opposite—yet complementary—forces. There is no effort without resting; no achievement without patience; no celebration without hard work. So, where are you stumbling? We all are, somewhere. We are indeed creatures of habit, but our habits are rarely balanced.

Personally, I worry too much. I always think to the worst case scenario, acting according to my pessimist mindset. Sometimes this might be a pro, but actually it is exhausting most of the time. I know you just can’t live like that, but to me trusting the Universe is hard. And in the end, a challenge.

What about you? What is your challenge?

The Sun Enters Libra

The Sun is about to enter Libra—the sign of balance. As you may know, I don’t really believe in general horoscopes. Nevertheless, I’m curious: how is the Sun doing with this equinox? If we are struggling with balance, why shouldn’t he? It sounds like a bad joke, but technically the Sun in Libra is in his fall. It’s a hard time for everybody.

Let’s see… he is leaving behind Virgo—where he had a bad square to Mars in Sagittarius—to conjunct Jupiter in Libra. I don’t want to make it too complicated, after all we are just playing a little bit with astrology here. Still, this image speaks by itself. No more controversy, struggles and fights—the lord of trust, faith and wisdom is waiting for the new Sun of Autumn.

Have a good week.