Devoted to Inanna-Ishtar

I love candle making for rituals. This is a devotional candle to Brigid to be lit tonight at my Open Imbolc Ritual. It's 100% beeswax, which means it's a clean burn.

The red represents her role as Keeper of the Flame and her forge, where she will, if she's pleased, transform us in love to receive our wishes and hopes.

The blue represents water and her association with wells and healing. May she wash away and cleanse us of what we wish to shed in a deep and healing way.

The green represents her mantle, which in Ireland represents the land. This green represents her spreading her mantle over our ritual and the people who join in a protective and caring way, helping us grow and flourish under her care.

People joining the ritual sent me their desires for Imbolc and I created a group sigil to represent all together, holding that we wish these to manifest only if it's in line with the highest good and harms none. The sigil was inscribed on each layer of the candle and energetically charged.

In my mortar and pestle there is ground up copal, a sacred gum connection to healing, protection and purification. I also ground up rosemary and lavender with the copal, both herbs sacred to Brigid and will help bring healing, protection but also connect intention deep into subconscious. This was scattered on each layer on top of the sigil and energetically charged.

I also made a devotional oil to Brigid filled with her sacred plants but also some other oils to help protect people at the ritual and support their desires coming through. I'll be using the oil during the ritual but also made enough to scent the candle - each layer of the candle has been scented with this devotional oil made specifically for Brigid and this ritual.

I finally scattered some whole dried rosemary and lavender over the candle and charged the whole thing and devoted it to Brigid.

Dear Hermes, the most charming of the Olympian Gods. I hope this offering finds you well and joyous. I have felt you fluttering around and I hope you have appreciated my other devotional works, such as helping the homeless in your name.

If I can be so bold, I would ask one thing from the God of communion, liminal spaces, commerce, travel and wit. This Saturday I am organising an Imbolc ritual with a specific intent. Please protect the liminal space I'm creating by ensuring only those of true intent and alignment join. Please ensure the message resonates with the right people and protect both their physical journey to and from the ritual but also their connection with the divine during the ritual. A final plea because things in three are universally agreed to be more pleasant, please also ensure I cover my costs and more related to organising this ritual, financial and energetic, in a way that harms none, including myself.

Thank you for listening. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you've any queries or comments. Yes, I will ensure your efforts are acknowledged during the ritual.

Yours sincerely, respectfully and genuine admiration,

Imbolc is ignition. It is the moment when the frost thaws, winter still clings but the sun warms it so that the soil feels its warmth and plants begin to bud.

I spent this morning sharing a beautiful sacred space with friends.

I'm thinking of altar ideas, ritual ideas and celebration ideas - bees and honey seem to be buzzing round.

It's also a great time for divination, so I did a quick tarot reading based off an elemental spread to see if any messages came across in terms of how to shape my plans:

Spirit - The Star (reversed)

Even reversed The Star is the calling card of hope. It's a fantail of sparks - inspirational and creative. Reversed it can also be a gentle nudge that you're being too focused on the negatives.

I'm kinda feeling inclined to write a prayer of gratitude for all that I have and whisper to the gods my hopes for the future.

Fire - The Two of Swords

The Two of swords is all about balance in partnerships. Romantic, friendship work etc. One of the biggest lessons fire shared with me when I worked with it was to manage my energy well - don't get burnt up.

I think I'll have a check in and reflect on any partnership I feel are off balance and I'm potentially at risk of being burnt up in terms of energy etc. And maybe do some good pragmatic work before Beltane to get those dynamics more balanced.

Air - Page of Swords (Reversed)

Reversed I've always found the Page of Swords to be a signal that something unexpected is coming my way. A call to be more spontaneous and unplanned.

So, I'm going to try and say "yes" to any unexpected invites or calls over the next two weeks. Hopefully something unexpected but welcome will blossom or at least fun will be had!

Earth - King of Cups

Who doesn't love the King of Cups? This is a call for kindness and compassion - let's not lose our hearts to the summer's heat. For me, I think this is a call not only to nurture but to accept nurture from others - which is way more challenging for lots of people. In an earth card, I'm getting the vibe to literally nurture people via food. I might make some nice food and invite some close friends over to help celebrate.

Water - Queen of Wands (Reversed)

The Queen of Wands reversed and in water is a clear sign that someone may need help or at the very least I should look at how I can support the people around me.

I know a few friends who are going through some troubling times, so I might make extra sure that I check in with them.

The Questioner - Two of Cups (Reversed)

The Two of Cups is one of the most beautiful cards to pull. It's a card of balance, friendship and love, even soulmates. Reversed it can be a call to not get so caught up in romantic love that you're overlooking your friends.

Together, I think there's a really strong steer to not wander off in my own solo explorations this year. To think about friends who may need me or benefit from being included in an informal celebration. As well as a helpful nudge to not enter the period of the sun's ascent with unequal partnerships at risk of combustion.

I can do 15 mins every morning where I light candles to my deities, allies and ancestors, do 5 min meditation, 5 mins of cleansing and drinking water *and* setting intentions, and finishing off with 5 mins of prayer/offerings (sometimes just poems, songs, or excess energy built up from my meditation/cleansing).

Some days I lapse, sleep in etc but I make a promise to try and get back to my routine the next day. I honestly never feel more connected to the divine than when I'm in a really good routine for doing this 15 mins every day.