Kindling The Flame: A Deep Imbolc/Spring Journey

Step into the sacred energy of Imbolc with Kindling the Flame: A Deep Imbolc Journey. This transformative meditation takes you on a journey of awakening, inspired by the season’s themes of renewal and light. Begin by creating a sacred space, grounding yourself with protective energies, and setting intentions for the season ahead. Then, through deep relaxation and vivid guided imagery, experience the stirring of life within as an animal awakening from hibernation, feeling the sun’s warmth rekindle your inner fire. Perfect for those seeking to honour the cycles of nature, ignite their creativity, and embrace the promise of new beginnings.
Music composed by Narek Mirzaei (Music Of Wisdom)

Transcript

Welcome,

Everyone,

To this extended practice,

A guided ritual for the celebration of Imulk.

Before we begin,

I invite you to take a few moments to create a sacred space for this meditation.

You might choose to light a candle,

Representing the growing light of the season,

And a sacred fire of Brigid,

Goddess of the Hearth,

Poetry and Healing.

If you have any sage or incense or any other cleansing tool,

You can use it now to smudge your space,

Clearing away any stagnant energy and inviting clarity.

You can place symbols of the season around you,

Perhaps a small vase of snowdrops or other spring flowers,

A glass of milk to represent nourishment,

Or a white cloth to symbolise purity and renewal.

As you set these items,

Hold the intention of creating a space where your heart and spirit can be open to the journey ahead.

Feel free to pause this recording now,

And you can return to it when you're ready.

When your space feels ready,

Settle yourself into a comfortable position and prepare to step into the energy of the season.

Imolc,

Meaning In the Womb,

Is one of the Celtic cross-quarter festivals,

Marking the midway point between winter and spring.

It's a time of transition,

When the earth begins to stir and the promise of new life awakens beneath the surface.

Traditionally,

It honours Brigid,

The goddess of poetry,

Healing,

Smithcraft and fertility.

She is a powerful symbol of transformation,

Fire and inspiration,

Often celebrated with hearth fires,

Offerings of milk and blessings for the home.

Symbols of Imolc include the snowdrop,

A flower that braves the frost to bloom,

And fire which represents purification,

Light and the spark of creativity.

Rituals at this time often focus on cleansing,

Intention setting and calling forth the light within ourselves and the world around us.

As we move through this meditation,

We will weave these themes into our journey,

Connecting deeply to the energies of renewal,

Rebirth and inspiration.

I open this space with an invocation.

We gather today,

Together,

At the edge of winter's grasp,

Where the earth begins to stir beneath the frost,

And the first light of spring whispers its return.

Here,

Together,

In the quiet stillness,

We honour and kindle the spark within,

The fire that sleeps yet never fades,

The seeds of potential waiting to awaken.

Breathe in the promise of renewal,

Feel the earth's heartbeat beneath your feet,

And open yourself to the rhythm of life,

To the warmth of the sun and the growing light.

Let's begin by grounding ourselves.

Sit comfortably with your feet resting on the earth or floor,

And your hands gently resting on your lap.

Close your eyes and take a deep breath in,

And slowly release it.

Let your breathing become soft and natural.

Now imagine roots growing from the base of your spine,

Or the soles of your feet,

Reaching down into the earth.

These roots connect you to the deep nourishing energy of the earth.

Feel the steady strength and support of the ground beneath you,

Holding you firmly and lovingly.

As your roots deepen,

We call in the protective energies and guides who watch over us.

These could be ancestors,

Spirit guides,

Angels,

Or the presence of Brigid herself.

Feel their warmth and reassurance as they encircle you in light and love.

Now place one hand over your heart and the other over your belly.

Take a moment to set an intention for the season of awakening.

What do you wish to nurture and grow within yourself?

Speak this intention silently or aloud,

Planting it like a seed within your heart.

Trust that it will grow in its own time with care and patience.

Now,

To deepen our state of relaxation,

Close your eyes and take a slow,

Deep breath in,

Filling your lungs completely,

And exhale gently letting the breath flow out naturally,

Focusing on the sound of my voice,

And only the sound of my voice.

Bring your attention to the top of your head.

Imagine a soft,

Warm light beginning to glow,

Like the first gentle rays of the morning sun.

This light holds peace,

Warmth,

And healing,

And it begins to flow downward,

Washing over your scalp,

Your forehead,

And your temples.

Listen to my voice,

And only the sound of my voice.

Feel this light moving in your face.

Release any tightness in your jaw.

Allow your cheeks to soften,

Your eyelids to grow heavy,

And your brow to smooth,

Listening only to the sound of my voice.

Now the light flows into your neck and shoulders,

Melting away any tension that you might be holding there.

Feel your shoulders drop and loosen as they are releasing the weight of the world.

The warmth continues down your arms,

Past your elbows,

Into your forearms,

And all the way to your hands.

Notice the sensations in your palms and fingers as they grow heavy,

Heavier and heavier,

Relaxed,

Open to receiving this calming energy,

Staying focused on the sound of my voice,

And only the sound of my voice.

Next,

Bring your awareness to your chest.

With every inhale,

Feel your chest expand gently,

Filling with this warm glowing light.

With every exhale,

Let go of anything you no longer need,

Letting go of the stress,

The worry,

Or the heaviness.

Let your heart feel open and at ease.

Now feel this light flow into your belly.

Notice the natural rise and fall of your breath,

Soothing and steady as though the light itself is breathing with you.

Allow any tension in your stomach to dissolve,

Focusing just on the sound of my voice.

Feel yourself becoming more relaxed.

The warmth now travels to your back,

Spreading across your shoulder blades and flowing down your spine.

Each vertebrae releases tension as the light moves downwards,

Filling your back with ease and comfort.

Bring your awareness to your hips,

Noticing the connection between your body and the surface beneath you.

Allow your hips to grow,

Heavy,

Grounded,

As they're sinking into the earth's steady embrace.

The light now flows into your legs,

Down through your thighs and knees,

Feel it moving through your calves and into your ankles,

All the way to your feet and out into your toes.

Let any tension that you might be holding here drain into the earth below,

Where it will be transformed into fresh,

Renewing energy.

Now take a moment to scan your entire body,

From the crown of your head down to the tips of your toes.

You are now bathed in a warm,

Glowing light,

Feeling peaceful,

Deeply relaxed,

More and more relaxed,

Focusing only on the sound of my voice.

Finally bring your awareness to your breath once more.

With every inhale,

Imagine drawing in pure,

Cleansing energy.

With every exhale,

Release anything that feels heavy or stagnant.

Allow yourself to rest here,

Feeling light,

Open and safe.

You are deeply grounded,

Yet free.

Take a few more breaths in this state,

Preparing yourself to journey inward,

Focusing on the sound of my voice and only the sound of my voice.

As the drumbeat begins to echo softly in the background,

Imagine yourself nestled in a deep,

Quiet place.

A safe,

Warm den where you've been resting through the long winter.

The air around you is cool and still,

But it holds no harshness,

Only the gentle embrace of the season's pause.

You feel cosy,

Wrapped in the earth's protection as you rest deeply.

In this stillness,

You are an animal who's been hibernating,

Gathering strength in the dark.

Perhaps you are a bear,

A fox or a hedgehog,

Curled into yourself,

Heart steady.

Or perhaps you are another creature.

Whatever form you take is your choice,

Your instinct.

Let your body settle fully into this image.

Feeling the weight of rest and the power that comes from a long pause.

Now notice something beginning to change.

There's a faint warmth spreading through the earth,

Like the first touch of sunlight filtering through the soil.

It's subtle at first,

Like a distant memory of the sun,

But it grows with each moment.

As you take in a deep,

Instinctive breath,

You can feel the energy of this warmth beginning to stir within you.

Your body knows it's time.

Slowly you begin to shift,

Feel the stretch of your muscles as they awaken,

The deep pull of your limbs as they unfurl from the stillness.

It's as though the earth is calling to you,

Inviting you to return,

To rise,

To awaken.

With each beat,

Rhythm of the drum,

Feel the rhythm of life returning to your body.

Your heart beats stronger now,

Pulsing with new energy.

Your breath grows deeper,

Carrying with it the promise of movement,

Vitality and growth.

You stretch fully now,

And as you do,

A shaft of golden light breaks through the opening of your den.

This light is the sun,

Its warmth and radiance touching your face for the first time in many months.

Pause here and feel its energy.

The sun's warmth travels through your skin,

Igniting a spark deep within you,

A fire that has been resting,

Waiting for this moment.

You feel this inner flame begin to grow,

Radiating outwards from your chest,

Filling you with strength,

Filling you with purpose.

It's the fire of your life force,

Your inner vitality,

Rekindled with each pulse of sunlight.

With slow,

Deliberate movements,

You step forward,

Emerging from your den into the world of early spring.

The landscape is still,

But it's alive with potential.

The snow is melting,

Revealing fresh soil beneath your feet.

The air carries the scent of renewal,

And you hear the faint sounds of birdsong in the distance.

As you look around,

You notice the first signs of life returning to the world.

Tiny buds are forming on the branches of trees.

The grass is beginning to stir,

And there,

Scattered across the landscape,

Are patches of snowdrops and crocuses.

The delicate petals open to the sun.

Pause here.

Take a deep breath,

And feel the earth beneath,

And the sun above you.

Notice how your body feels,

Strong,

Awake,

Rested,

Alive.

You are no longer in hibernation.

You are rising into your own season of growth,

Carrying the strength you gathered during your rest.

Now take a moment to reflect on what this awakening means for you.

What within you is ready to emerge?

What parts of your life are stirring?

Asking for your attention?

Your care?

Your energy?

Allow these questions to sit with you as you stand in the warmth of the sun,

Your inner fire burning brightly.

Spend a few moments here,

Feeling your connection to the earth,

To the cycle of the seasons,

And your own power of renewal.

You are an integral part of this rhythm,

This awakening.

Trust in the process,

Trust in the kindled fire within you.

As the drumbeat fades,

Slowly bring your awareness back to your body.

Feel the ground beneath you,

The air around you,

And the light within you.

Wiggle your fingers and toes,

And take a deep breath in,

Bringing energy and clarity back to your being.

Slowly,

Only when you're ready,

Gently open your eyes.

Take a moment to look around your space,

Bring your attention to your sacred space that you've prepared,

Grounding yourself in the present moment.

Before we close,

Reflect on the flame you kindled within yourself during this visualisation.

It is your source of inspiration,

Creativity and growth.

As you move through the coming days and weeks,

Nurture this flame with care,

Trusting that it will guide you towards light,

And warmth,

The light and warmth of spring.

I'll close this practice with a closing invocation,

But feel free to stay and close in your own way when you're ready.

Awakening one,

Feel the warmth of the sun upon your skin,

The quiet stirrings of life within the earth,

And the flame glowing steady in your heart.

You have emerged from stillness,

Carrying the wisdom of rest,

The strength of patience,

And the promise of renewal.

May you walk forward with courage,

Kindling the light within you,

Growing with the seasons,

And embracing the path that unfolds.

Thank you for joining me on this journey.

May the spirit of renewal be with you as you step forward into this season of growth.