Culture in the Cave #2
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A͟ ͟n͟o͟t͟e͟ ͟t͟o͟ ͟a͟l͟l͟ ͟1͟+͟2͟n͟d͟ ͟y͟e͟a͟r͟ ͟s͟t͟u͟d͟e͟n͟t͟s͟ ͟o͟f͟ ͟D͟i͟r͟t͟y͟ ͟A͟r͟t͟ ͟D͟e͟p͟a͟r͟t͟m͟e͟n͟t͟
We gather.
We center.
Around (eco)grief,
The outdoors, A lake
We gather, our materials
As the world burns,
We make fire; we make soup
We gather and become queer priestesses
for 24 hours
We go within, we share, we transform
Then we plant, and then we spread, again
Imbolc is the time where the first rays of light touch upon the iced soils melting again. It is an ancient day of celebration of there turn of light in the Celtic landscapes.
It is a time precisely between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. The word Imbolc translates to “in the belly”, the time of incubation, germination- readying for the new beginnings of Spring. This is also near the time of Lunar New Year.
According to Celtic tradition, Imbolc was celebrated as the midpoint between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. It serves as a reminder that winter is nearing its end and spring is coming soon. In a time when we can live almost non-stop in a virtual/handpalm-phone/time-without-end we might have a hard time living close to ancient cycles. Out bodies exhaust from the non-stop, so, can we stop? Around the time of Imbolc, it is not yet spring, but not anymore fully winter.
"I’m not a girl, not yet a woman," she says.
Brighid is the keeper of the sacred flame and the guardian of home and hearth, but we can call her Britney also.
To honor her, one would purify their home and clean.‘Spring cleaning’ is derived from this, as a way to welcome spring back into the world, prepare. Look back deeply in the dark once more and prepare for the coming of new springs and summers. It is a midway between points; a queer festivity. A time to remove anything that clutters you(r place), things that no longer should be there or stagnate the energy.
Because Imbolc is about purification as well, you can visit a well, or waterfall, a floating sauna or an urban city-lake, to purify. Water will take the bad and negative energies, leaving you feeling renewed, fresh and pure. Fire is an important too; to gather around that warmth and let go of things.
Traditionally, this it is the time that farmers start preparing their fields for the first sowing around this time. Perhaps for artists a time to consider; what is our work and our projects planting in the world? What are we attempting to grow with our ideas? Is what we make and want connected to the world that can become?
See you all soon!
Venus
XOXOX
p.s.practicalities will follow