Wheel Of The Year Meditations: Imbolc

This guided visualisation meditation, a style also known as 'story journey' is warming and empowerin​g in honour of Imbolc. Imbolc​ is a festival marking the beginning of spring and the stirrings of new life. Time to let go of the past and to look to the future, clearing out the old, making space for new beginnings.

Transcript

Welcome to this meditation in celebration of Imbok or Imok,

The first sparks of the new year after winter.

So take your time to be warm and comfortable.

Take your time to relax the body and calm the breath.

When you are ready,

Close your eyes and we'll begin our journey.

In our mind's eye,

We are walking along a cobbled street and you see the evening lights sparkling on smooth cobblestones.

They feel soft and warm smooth underneath your feet.

The air is cold and frost sparkles on branches and lampposts around you,

But you are wrapped up warm in gloves and hat and scarf.

Along your path on this cobbled street,

You come across a door.

Picture it closely,

The colour,

Texture,

Shape.

And as you are drawn to look more closely at this door,

You see a large shiny brass handle glinting in the evening light.

You reach out to turn this handle and the door opens easily and you step over the threshold.

And you find yourself still outdoors,

But standing safely beside a well.

White frost tops the low wall surrounding this well,

But the water is not yet frozen.

The low wall surrounding the well is made of large round stones,

Dappled with moss.

Peering over,

You look over the well and into the depths,

Into the waters below.

And it is here that you notice for the first time that you are carrying something in your hand.

Something in your hand is an offering to the well.

Take your time to picture carefully what this offering is.

Perhaps it is a flower,

A type of food,

A crystal or a candle.

It can be anything you like.

Now make a wish and throw your offering into the well.

After a few seconds you hear a distant splash as your offering hits the water.

Perhaps your wish will be granted.

Beyond the well you see a high hill covered in frost.

You pass through the sheltered space of the well and you feel the chilly kiss of the cold wind on your cheeks.

And you start to climb the hill slowly and with ease.

On top of the hill before you,

You see a small building with a stone doorway.

Picture this building in your mind's eye,

The walls,

The roof,

The doorway.

And as you reach the top of the hill,

Snow is beginning to fall.

You huddle closely into your warm clothes and knock on the door.

The door opens and inside you see a darkened room with a bright hearth.

And in the firelight you see a woman who beckons you inside.

She smiles at you and you sense a great kindness from her.

And in her hands she is holding your offering.

She waits while you look at her closely,

Admiring her hair and her clothes.

And taking your time to look around the room,

What do you see around you?

A The woman stokes the fire in the hearth and it rises,

Growing slowly and the room fills with a pleasant warmth and light.

As she continues,

The hearth fire grows taller and brighter until it is the height of a person and growing warmly.

You sense no danger from it and the woman takes your hand and invites you to follow her into the hearth.

You step forward into the flames but you are not harmed.

A magical fire surrounds you and you see only a warm amber light,

The colour of the sun at sunset.

The gentle heat of this magical fire melts away your troubles.

You feel it warm on your skin and you begin to glow this same beautiful amber colour.

The heat grows and you enjoy the sensation of it on your body.

Your worries shrivel and vanish like paint in a fire and you feel the weight lifted from your shoulders.

You can stand tall again.

Stretch to your full height and power in the flames.

Remove the You hear a distant sound,

A rhythm like a drumbeat.

And with each beat you see amber sparks like fireworks.

Listen to the rhythm,

It makes you feel stronger.

The rhythm continues,

But now you hear another sound,

A voice without words.

Listen closely,

What is this sound?

It comes from a warm wind blowing,

Soothing your hot skin.

And as the sound washes over you,

You feel your body become smooth and all the knots and scratches of life are smoothed away.

It's getting hotter,

It's almost uncomfortably hot.

But now,

In this moment,

You feel a sudden refreshing cold thrown over your body,

Like being hit by a cool wave.

You are drenched in cool liquid.

It hisses softly as it steams off your hot skin.

And as the liquid cools,

You are comfortable temperatures,

But you are still very warm and cosy.

The liquid pooled at your feet begins to thicken,

Darken,

It changes into wet clay.

It is fragrant and cool.

You take up handfuls of this clay and you smear it onto your hot skin and it soothes you like a balm.

Inhaling,

The earthy scent of the clay rising off from your body,

You feel yourself begin to cool.

The clay on your skin dries as it draws the heat from you and in time it cracks and falls away,

Leaving you clean and cool.

And as the clay peels off your hands,

You notice there is a design now patterned upon your skin,

Like a delicate tattoo.

Look at it closely,

Curls and spirals and flowers adorn your skin.

The amber light and the flames subside and as your eyes adjust to the changing light,

You recognise that you are now returned to the room with the hearth.

And the woman is smiling and she is offering you something.

It is a sword.

She holds it out carefully to you.

What type of sword is it?

See the colour,

The shape and size.

And as you take in the beauty of this sword,

You notice that the blade is patterned with the same design that is on your hands.

And as you reach out to take this beautiful gift,

The moment you hold the hilt of the sword in your hands,

Both the sword and the design on your hands vanish.

The woman says,

You are the sword and I have made you strong.

Know that the blows of this life may seem harsh but they forge you into something stronger and more beautiful.

My work will not fail you.

Let not thy spirit fail.

And now,

As she leads you back to the front door,

She opens it and the cold no longer touches you.

You wave happy goodbyes and walk back down the hill to the well.

Beyond the well you see the doorway you entered through and step through it.

And you will now find yourself back in this room.

You are aware once more of your body and the floor beneath you.

You have returned from your journey and your time with the goddess bridey.

Take all the time you need to reflect on the things you have seen and felt today and the things you will see and feel in the coming days as we move into the new seasons.

Take your time as the wheel of the year turns.

Reviews

Another incredible and powerful journey, thank you Sarah 🙏🏼

Thank you so much, the meditation touched me deep within my being, blessed be 💜

My absolute favorite with you so far- thank you Sarah for your magic woven and shared 🌺🙏🏼✨

Thank you for all the openings, welcoming, peace and visions….

This remains a firm favourite of mine. It always brings suprises and insight, along with comfort and renewed strength to face the ongoing winter with joy and hope.

A great meditation for changing seasons and gaining strength for transitions. Thank you for this gift. 🙏💝🕊

I loved the idea of walking through the scene and coming out anew

Absolutely lovely, thank you!

A beautiful & powerful journey. Thank you 🙏🏻

Love this! Very affirming.

I know I’m a little early for Imbolc, but I love this! Thank you for the beautiful and powerful journey 🙏.

Yet another beautiful, transformative meditation. These are the guides I've been looking for! <3

Unexpected! I’m new to goddess exploration and wasn’t sure what to expect. I had no idea where it was going no idea I’d be led to the fire at all- but this sounds whacky - right before I was led to the fire I had this image of Daenerys from GoT - and was able to enter that fire without fear knowing it was safe. I enjoyed this new experience very much. I’m still a little awed by it...

So lovely! After facilitating two Imbolc circles in the past few days, it was a treat to be able to receive this offering! Blessed Imbolc ✨

Absolutely loved this meditation, this encounter with the Goddess. Really felt soothed and embraced by your voice, and by the process deep in the Spirit of Imbolc.🔥✨💓 Thank you so much.💫

The light gradually returns as winter begins to bid farewell
Many blessings 🙏

I just love your meditations, Sarah, including this magical one. Your meditations are among my very favorites here on Insight Timer. You have a gift; thank you for sharing it with all of us.

Happy Imbolc to you! Wishing you love and many blessings. ♡

Thank you for this! I had a wonderfully strengthening meditation. Loved the images and guidance! Many blessings to you.

Magical, really love it 💜✨ Thank you! 😊💞

Like usual a wonderful journey, that lead me to a beautiful state of mind! Thank you sooo much, again!!! 🙏🌈🦢