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.
TOFU
SOME THOUGHTS ABOUT TOFU v FAKE MEAT
I am often asked if Tofu is ‘Ultra Processed’. The short answer is no. Plain tofu is processed, like cheese or canned fish, but it’s not considered ultra-processed. It looks like a big white cube, but it is made using an ancient method dating back over 2,000 years to China’s Han Dynasty.
Starting with dried soybeans that are soaked, ground and boiled to make soy milk. Salt coagulants like calcium sulphate or magnesium chloride are then added to form curds, which are separated from the whey, pressed into blocks and cut into squares. How firmly it’s pressed gives the different textures:
Tofu is made with minimal steps and just a few ingredients. No emulsifiers, flavourings or protein isolates, and it retains many of soy’s natural compounds like isoflavones.
Ultra-processing goes much further, breaking whole foods down and reformulating them with flavourings, texture enhancers and additives to make them cheap, shelf-stable and highly palatable. That’s why many soy-based fake meats like vegan burgers and meat-free sausages, made with protein isolates, are classed as ultra-processed, while traditional tofu isn’t. Tempeh is even less processed because the soybeans stay intact.
HEALTH BENEFITS OF TOFU
It is nutrient-dense food and a fantastic way to diversify your protein. It gives you around 10–17g per 100g of protein, with all the essential amino acids; Minerals – like calcium, iron and magnesium and Isoflavones – natural plant compounds with anti-inflammatory effects
One large US study found that people who ate tofu at least once a week had an 18% lower risk of coronary heart disease compared with those who rarely ate it. Soy protein may also help lower LDL cholesterol and blood pressure and it can also reduce symptoms of menopause.
HOW TO ENJOY IT
Tofu gets a bad reputation for being bland, but that makes it so brilliant to cook with. It is a flavour sponge, ready to soak up whatever you throw at it! Grate it and bake it crispy for tacos or salads. Crumble it into curries or tomato sauces. Pan-fry cubes until golden and toss with a sticky sauce. Blend silken tofu into dressings or sauces.
SPRING EQUINOX
THE SPRING EQUINOX — which in 2026 falls on Friday, March 20th — is one of only two moments in the entire year when day and night are almost exactly equal in length. The sun crosses the celestial equator, rising due east and setting due west, and for this single day, light and darkness hold each other in perfect tension. After this point, the balance tips. The days grow longer. The light wins.
In pagan and Wiccan traditions, this moment on the Wheel of the Year is called OSTARA. The name comes from Eostre, an Anglo-Saxon goddess of spring and dawn whose association with fertility and renewal. Eostre gave her name to Easter, and the symbols we now associate with that holiday — eggs, hares, flowers, new clothes — are the direct descendants of her spring festival. Ostara is a powerful festival that celebrates the spring equinox, a time of balance, growth, and the return of light. For women, Ostara is a moment to honor our own cycles of renewal and embrace the feminine energy of creation, fertility, and transformation.
Ostara sits between Imbolc (February’s first stirring of spring) and Beltane (May’s full bloom). Where Imbolc whispers something is beginning, Ostara declares it. The ice is breaking. The ground is softening. The seeds you planted in the dark half of the year — literally or figuratively — are now pushing upward through the soil.
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.
DAILY ROUTINE for hip / spine mobility
DAILY ROUTINE for hip / spine mobility
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%.
WE ALL EAT TOO MUCH SUGAR
I continue to be shocked at how much sugar hides in foods marketed as healthy. For example, Granola, protein bars, iced coffees, fruit juices and bottled smoothies. We all eat too much sugar.
The advice is to keep free or added sugar to around 6 teaspoons a day, about 25grams, and sweetened drinks to less than one a week. Most of us are having three times that!
Start with sweet drinks, because they don’t look like desserts (a slice of cake is an occasional treat a sweetened drink is an everyday habit) they have become our biggest blind spot. They don’t make you full, the sugar hits quickly (leaving you craving more), each extra daily serving is tied to the risk of obesity, heart disease stroke and even depression.
Artificial sweeteners are no better. They affect gut microbes, blood sugar control and keep your sweet tooth ‘switched on’.
Swapping just one drink a day can cut more than half of your sugar intake and you will feel it in your energy, mood and sleep.
DANGERS OF LOW CHOLESTEROL
Cholesterol, as commonly described, is not what people think. It’s low-density lipoprotein, and as a protein, it carries fat-soluble compounds like cholesterol and other essential factors such as fat-soluble antioxidants, fatty acids, and vitamins through the plasma (the water-based portion of the blood). Otherwise, these vital compounds could not be transported throughout the body. What’s often labeled “bad cholesterol” is, in reality, a vital transport system that sustains cellular function and survival. There are dangers of having low cholesterol.
OVER 65
n study after study of adults over 65, those with the lowest cholesterol (LDL) consistently experience higher death rates, while higher cholesterol in late life becomes protective rather than harmful. Past a certain age, cholesterol becomes a marker of vitality, and chronically low levels signal underlying frailty or disease. Low cholesterol has been consistently linked to higher rates of cancer and cancer death.
YOUR BRAIN
Your brain is the most cholesterol-rich organ in your body, containing about 25% of your total cholesterol(in dry weight form). So what happens when pharmaceutical companies convince you to drive those levels into the ground? Cognitive decline, memory loss, and brain atrophy. A study in the lancet as long ago as 1993 found that men over 70 with low cholesterol were three times more likely to be diagnosed with major depression than those with higher levels. Middle-aged men with long-term low cholesterol show significantly more depressive symptoms, and women in the lowest cholesterol decile experience much more depression and anxiety.
Cholesterol is essential for serotonin receptor function in the brain. When cholesterol drops too low, serotonin activity plummets, leading to depression, impulsivity, and violent behaviour.
A NATURAL ANTIBIOTIC
Cholesterol is Your Body’s Natural Antibiotic.LDL particles don’t just transport cholesterol—they actively bind and neutralize bacterial toxins, particularly endotoxins from dangerous gram-negative bacteria. They serve as a crucial first line of defense against infection. Studies consistently show that healthy individuals with low LDL levels suffer significantly higher rates of infectious disease than those with normal or high LDL. People at the bottom of the LDL range have markedly increased risk of hospitalizations for infections, pneumonias, and sepsis.
This doesn’t mean cholesterol-lowering drugs are universally harmful. In fact, one theory is they may help a subpopulation reduce inflammation in their arteries, which could have a slight benefit in the reduction of cardiovascular mortality, even if it increases mortality from infection, cancer, and cardiomyopathy. Context matters enormously:
HIGH CHOLESTEROL
For a high-risk, middle-aged person with very high cholesterol, moderate reduction can be lifesaving. For an elderly person, someone with depression, or anyone with a history of infections, pushing cholesterol to ultra-low ranges may do more harm than good. The true goal should be extending healthspan and cultivating overall well-being—not merely chasing lower numbers on a lab report. In fact, there are a wide variety of natural agents shown to support healthy cholesterol balance, many of which demonstrate effectiveness and greater safety compared to the statin drug class. Cholesterol serves essential roles in every cell, every organ system, and every aspect of human health. When we artificially suppress this vital molecule, we create new diseases while claiming to prevent old ones.
DANGERS OF LOW CHOLESTEROL
The evidence for the dangers of low cholesterol is hiding in plain sight—in peer-reviewed journals, major medical databases, and large-scale population studies. The only reason you haven’t heard about it is because there’s no money (statin sales are worth $200 billion) in telling you that your body might actually know what it’s doing.
Escape into Nature to calm your nervous system
If you do nothing else………………………. Escape into Nature to calm your nervous system
Go forest bathing. The Japanese believe in a comfort instinct they call shinrin-yoku, which translates literally as ‘forest bath’. Put simply, forest bathing is about spending time among trees. Experts say that trees emit essential oils, or phytoncides, which are their natural protection from germs and insects and might even be part of the way different trees communicate with each other.
One study found that time spent among trees leads to lower cortisol levels, reduced pulse rate, and lower blood pressure. Another found that phytoncides can reduce stress levels, increase the quality of our sleep, improve our mood and wellbeing, lower blood pressure, decrease anxiety and increase heart-rate variability.
If it’s difficult to get to a forest or wood, similar benefits can come from engaging with a single tree, house plants or even using essential oils such as cypress, which contain phytoncides. But there are few things more relaxing than strolling through woodland – so see if you can find some to escape to this weekend, especially if temperatures rise and you need that shade.
Some recent reviews from clients
‘I found it was a wonderful experience, bringing me back to me. I left with a feeling of relaxation, which I’m still feeling and of course, tiredness, but its a ‘different’ sort of tiredness, like my body just wants to ‘flop’, haha. I guess that’s the release of tension. I’m walking (atm) with less tension, so there’s less pain, though it still ‘feels’ deep.
I look forward to my next treatment, with more hope than I’ve felt in a long time.’
Some quotes I am thinking about
Other peoples words often stay with me for a long time, and pop up again when they are releveant. Here are examples of some quotes I am thinking about:
“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” “The future depends on what you do today.” “In a gentle way, you can shake the world.” “Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony. Mahatma Gandhi
“negative emotions are a call to action. When you feel them, it’s because you’re supposed to do something. Positive emotions, on the other hand, are rewards for taking the proper action.” ― Mark Manson
“Worrying is like praying for something you don’t want to happen.” ~ Robert Downey Junior
The Chinese word for stress means ‘Heart Killing’.
There is no nutritional requirement for wheat, sugar or vegetable oils.
Better in the bin than in my tummy.
Stitch the sadness into the tapestry of your life.
Men don’t know how the touch of a hand on the back of neck can feel like a request.
Where there is risk there needs to be a choice.
Talking to people who we love and who love us is the safety valve that is open to everyone.