Imbolc

IMBOLC in 2026 begins at dusk on Sunday, February 1st, extending into Monday February 2nd, marking the Celtic festival of returning light and the first stirrings of spring, midway between the winter solstice and spring equinox, celebrated with themes of renewal, fire, fertility, and honouring the goddess Brigid/St. Brigid with fires, candles, and symbols of new life.

In the Northern hemisphere the days are lengthening and there is new energy in the air. Bulbs that have been hidden underground all winter now sprout and snowdrops are celebrated as one of the first flowers to bloom.

Imbolc is a time of anticipation and celebration as it heralds the approach of Spring, traditionally this is a time for cleansing and purification of the home and self.  This can involve, de-cluttering and cleaning spaces as well as personal reflection for fresh starts. Imbolc is often considered to be the perfect time to start new projects especially after the dark months of thoughtful introspection.

At Imbolc we ask ourselves what new potential lies in the new growth cycle to come? What do we wish to set in motion and begin? This is a great opportunity to change old habits and patterns and work towards changing our relationship with the natural world; to see ourselves as part of nature and the great web of life, not separated from it.  Seek new thinking patterns and new lifestyles that will create a more sustainable and integrated future for our children and for the Earth.

Gardeners will know that this is a good time to plant seeds which is another way of looking forward with hope.  A time for personal reflection on goals for the coming growing season

Whether you follow the Chinese Zodiac or not, if you’re in any way online then you’re probably aware that 2026 is the YEAR OF THE (FIRE) HORSE.

In Eastern culture, the horse represents action, freedom, speed and breakthrough, it reflects a stage of life that moves boldly forward without the fear of obstacles, placing emphasis on being in motion rather than standing still. In simple terms, rapid change, fresh opportunities, personal growth and a faster pace of life

This is the first Fire Horse for 60 years, it may feel like a restless, dynamic time – with the possibility for conflict ( in 1966 was the Chinese cultural revolution)  The current Zodiac year (which runs 29 January 2025 to 16 February 2026) is the Year of the Wood Snake, which represents the shedding of old stories and habits, recalibrating what works for you and honouring internal intelligence.  With the arrival of the Year of the Fire Horse, that clarity demands an external home with decisive, consistent action.

This is not the time for planning.  Make your resolutions a reality. Feeling the urge to start meditating, running, practising Pilates or slotting a morning Tai Chi session into your day? Go ahead and do it.  This year favours those who move first and adjust as they go.

A Horse year is not about running the fastest but running the longest.  The Horse is not afraid of slowness, it’s afraid of stillness.

The fast-moving nature of a Horse Year can lead to burnout if not properly accounted for.  Honour the need for movement while prioritising recovery.  Regular grounding practices such as walking, stretching, breathwork and maintaining consistent sleep routines all help channel

Horse energy in a way that supports longevity rather than exhaustion.  In the Year of the Horse, sustainable habits are better than working in short bursts of intensity.

 

 

Winter Solstice

In another year that has unfolded so unpredictably, the upcoming winter solstice, offers us a timely and intensely powerful opportunity to go within ourselves, and take a deep pause.

The Winter Solstice in 2025 is on Sunday, December 21st, marking the shortest day and official start of winter. The winter solstice happens when the Earth’s North Pole is tilted furthest from the Sun, causing the Sun’s path to appear lowest in the sky and its journey to “stand still” before reversing.  The night after the solstice is great for stargazing, with the Ursid meteor shower peaking and bright Jupiter visible in the constellation Gemini.

The word solstice comes from the Latin “sol” meaning sun and “sistere” meaning to stand still.  For a few days either side of the solstice the change in the noontime elevation of the sun is so small, its path appears to stand still.

The upcoming 10 days are therefore an ideal time to sit still and quietly reflect on the passing of another unprecedented year, and to invite that which no longer serves us to drop away, making space for new opportunities and a fresh start that 2026 heralds.

A friends daughter said to me ‘My mum says a bit of dirt’s good for your moon system’.  It took me a few moments to realise what she meant.  I prefer the idea of our moon system rather than our ‘immune system’!

A vitamin D supplement is an essential part of a good winter wellness kit for most people.  Low vitamin D levels have been linked to various conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and osteoporosis – but also to depression, which can be particularly relevant if you experience SAD.  Taking supplemental magnesium can lower your vitamin D need by 146%. Vitamin K2 is another important cofactor and taking both magnesium and vitamin K2 can lower your vitamin D requirement by as much as 244%.

My Health Heroes

A note on my health heroes. Dr Rupy Aujla Web Page https://thedoctorskitchen.com/ He also now has an app 3 cookery books The Doctors Kitchen Eat to beat illness 3 -2 -1 ( 3 ingredients for 2 people in 1 dish) Numerous Pod Casts Dr Rangan Chatterjee https://drchatterjee.com/ Books The 4 Pillar Plan The Stress Solution […]

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