Turning Towards the Light

It is St. Briget’s Day and though it is not astronomically the first day of Spring, it seems like many folks are putting behind them the dark, cold days of winter and turning towards lighter and warmer days. Pagans celebrate this day with a feast called Imbolc, honoring the goddess Briget while some Christians have folded this celebration into their belief system by commemorating an Irish nun, also named Briget, as a saint. On Sunday, the church also will commemorate Jesus’ presentation at the temple. Historically, many of the devoted have brought their candles to church on this day for a blessing (Candlemas), a symbolic linking to the belief that Jesus is the Light of the World.

Let’s not forget that tomorrow many in North America will observe Groundhog Day, a weather-forecasting tradition brought to the new world by German immigrants. If a groundhog sees his shadow on this day, then there will be six-more weeks of inclement weather.

It seems that these celebrations, commemorations, and observations focus on themes of light and the turning of time, and this integration of themes has resulted in February 1, 2 and 3 becoming the unofficial start of Spring.  It seems like we can’t help ourselves but to look forward to longer and warmer days.

I myself can see the sun rising higher in the sky each day and its rays beginning to creep across my yard.   That being the case, I had better get to work in the garden and start planting some lettuce and beets.

ljgloyd c 2020

https://wordofthedaychallenge.wordpress.com/2020/02/01/integrated-2/
https://onedailyprompt.wordpress.com/2020/02/01/your-daily-word-prompt-devote-february-1-2020/
https://ragtagcommunity.wordpress.com/2020/02/01/rdp-saturday-spring/
https://dailyaddictions542855004.wordpress.com/2020/01/31/daily-addictions-beet/

Vibrant? No, I think not.

I have not been creatively vibrant these days.  I have not been writing or arting much.   I think this is a result of some sort of trauma-induced writer’s/artist’s block.   I have spent too much time watching cable news and yelling at the Orange-Moron who won’t shut his big mouth and stop selling out our country.

For the first time in my life, I am truly afraid for us.

But, I am a writer and write I must.   So I wrote my congressman this week and told him what I think he should do about this mess.  Will he listen to me?   I don’t know if he can do anything, so probably not.   Nevertheless, I’m going down writing.

Along with this pro-active writing, I am continuing to journal, read, meditate and pray.

The last is what we need most.