The Ancestor |
In two days the wheel of the year will turn to
Imbolc. The first Holiday of the new year. This is the time when nature is stirring
beneath the frozen earth. Slowly but undeniable Spring is working her way
through the cold of winter. It hasn't been that cold this year in Holland so
perhaps Mother Nature may still have some surprises up her sleeve. Bulbs are
pushing their green shoots up and I've already seen some purple Crocus buds.
Imbolc is the holiday of new beginnings and the returning of light and
fertility. It is custom to burn a lot of candles with Imbolc and eat a dish with
milk as ingredient, like pancakes or porridge. The latter is done to celebrate the beginning of the
lambing season and the lactation of the ewes.
The Wildwood
tarot has assigned two Major Arcana cards to Imbolc: The Ancestor and the Pole
star. The suit of stones, which was the winter suit, has made place for the
suit of arrows. This is the suit of the East and of Spring: Everything starts
with a thought.
The Ancestor is a mythological figure who is
half human and half reindeer. She is dressed in reindeer skins. She is
summoning us with her drum to start the journey which is set out by a row of Birches, leading us into the forest.
The new moon in the skye is also a sign of a new beginning; a new challenge
The Pole Star |
The
ancestor figure is inspired by Elen of the ways, a ancient British goddess with
antlers, whose name means light and who travels along the old migratory paths
from the reindeer. She knows the way and if we stray she will find us with her
light
And it
isn't a great surprise The Pole Star is the other Major Arcana Card. This star is
leading the way when we enter the forest which was in the background of the
Ancestor card. It is a card of spiritual knowledge, hope and inspiration. We know on a deep level our journey will be
successful if we follow this star. What
a wonderful compass to carry within
These cards
are very timely for me. As is the
careful beginning of Spring with Imbolc and the second new moon this month. I
am feeling rather excited by my quest for the Goddess. I see new ways of
getting to know Her and I feel more free
to develop my own understanding of Her and also to create my own practice. I
thought the drum of The Ancestor which is adorned with the triskele, is very
appropriate, since this has become the symbol of my journey. I wish you all a
very happy Imbolc.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteLet me try again without all the spelling errors, lol!
ReplyDeleteGoodness, time is moving quickly - I can't believe Imbolc is almost here! I love the phrase about the compass within that we carry; I need to remember that and not look so much to the external for answers and direction. :)
Haha that happens to me also a lot. I just type to quickly sometimes :)
DeleteYes time is flying by: New moon today, Imbolc two days later. busy busy but Spring cannot begin quick enough for me
That sounds like a good idea - maybe I'll make a big breakfast on Saturday….with pancakes! The kids love those. I don't make them as much as I used to anymore, but it would be nice to do that. I love the Ancestor card, and I love your line "if we stray she will find us with her light." I always imagine her drumming to us, calling us back to our path. Seems appropriate for me at this time, too.
ReplyDeleteThen I am glad I've drawn your attention to her.
DeleteI will be thinking of you when I am baking my pancakes saturday lol