Imbolc: the midpoint between the Winter Solstice and the Vernal Equinox

Ilove February, primarily because it is my birthday month, though I chafe about how it got short-changed in days. But given that it is often the coldest, most bone-chilling stretch of the year in the northern hemisphere, I do not mind cutting it short and rolling into March.

roughout the ancient world, the month of February was rich with tradition. Its name is derived from Februalia, which was the period set aside in ancient Rome for puri cation rituals. From that tradition, we have the celebration of the Puri cation of Mary, which came forty days after the Nativity in accordance with Mosaic Law, and the blessing of re — Candlemas — on Feb. 2. ose sacred celebrations happily coincide with Imbolc, which marks the midpoint between the Winter Solstice and the Vernal Equinox. For many in the pagan tradition, Imbolc marks the rst day of spring.

It is striking how two disparate ancient cultures, Greek and Celtic, both correlated the sun and poetry (a decidedly right-brain process) with the creative process. At Imbolc, the crone gives way to the maiden in anticipation of giving birth, and

Letter To The Editor

JERRY FABYANIC

young Apollo, god of the lyre, poetry, and intellect, rides his chariot in increasingly higher arcs across the rmament.

In the Celtic tradition, the goddess Brighid, who morphed into Ireland’s Saint Brigid, is prominent at Imbolc, which is known as Saint Brigid’s Day. As with Apollo, she is the deity of poetry. She is also the goddess of smithcraft and healing, making her a goddess of creativity and energy restoration. And like Apollo, she is a solar deity. On Mother Earth, little or nothing appears to be happening in terms of new life. But beneath her skin, roots are awakening, getting ready to grow and spread hair-like tentacles. Crocuses and tulips are awakening from hibernation. For those into gardening, this is the time for planting seeds in hothouses or solaria to incubate and then sprout as seedlings and mature su ciently in anticipation for their opportunity to bloom in the natural world.

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Seeing that aspect of the natural cycle as a metaphor, February is the perfect time to re ect or meditate on what is happening underground in these northern climes and relate it to your ideas. Imbolc is an ideal time for imagining, a time to shake free of winter doldrums. Idea seeds lying dormant in your subconscious await to be brought into consciousness, into the visible, vibrant world. ose idea seeds might be oating as inclinations, urges and gut feelings or may be moving past what you have said or thought you always wanted to do but for one reason or another delayed or postponed acting on. Perhaps you might want to use this time to begin planning a trip, painting a canvas, or writing. Or planting a garden, literally or metaphorically. Imbolc is a perfect time to allow those nascent ideas to germinate so they can then grow and manifest themselves.

When one ventures past planning a trip to actually making the journey, occasional forays on side trips of some sort are requisite. ey provide an opportunity for individuals to take a time-out, separate themselves from their tribe and setting, and be alone with themselves.

I recall two friends who trekked in two di erent ways. One set out with a plan that did not unfold as intended. Instead, it became a grand adventure into self-learning. Consequently, he returned with a deeper understanding and insight into himself and a clearer perspective about what to write about next. e other friend was quite sure about her reason for leaving. She simply felt the need to go. It took her out of her comfort zone, which is always a grand place to be, for that is where true learning and adventure takes place. e beauty is that both listened to and honored their inner selves. at is the spirit of Imbolc.

So do not dawdle until you see literal blossoms and green grass appearing. As the stock line goes, “Life is what happens when you’re planning.” Your task at Imbolc is to start on the underground, preparatory back work of future creations to ensure that when your project becomes truly visible to the world around you, it will appear with radiant and luscious beauty.

Jerry Fabyanic is the author of “Sisyphus Wins” and “Food for ought: Essays on Mind and Spirit.” He lives in Georgetown.

Thank you for contributing to a successful shoebox gift collection rough shoeboxes — packed with fun toys, school supplies and hygiene items — Evergreen-area volunteers brought joy to children in need around the world. Each gift- lled shoebox is a tangible expression of God’s love, and it is often the rst gift these children have ever received. rough the continued generosity of donors since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has collected and delivered more than 209 million gift- lled shoeboxes to children in more than 170 countries and territories. is year, Samaritan’s Purse delivered its milestone 200 millionth shoebox, which was packed on a country-wide tour and then hand-delivered to a young girl in Ukraine. Across Colorado, shoebox packers often shop for deals on shoebox items throughout the year, and many serve at a deeper level by becoming a yearround volunteer. Information about ways area participants can get involved year-round can also be found at samaritanspurse.org/occ or by calling 303745-9179. ese simple gifts, packed with love, send a message to children worldwide that they are loved and not forgotten.

I am writing to thank Evergreen-area residents for sharing the true meaning of Christmas with children in need this past holiday season.

Generosity throughout contributed to a successful shoebox gift collection season at drop-o locations for the Samaritan’s Purse project Operation Christmas Child. Across the U.S., the project collected over 9.3 million shoebox gifts in 2022. Combined with those collected from partnering countries in 2022, the ministry is now sending nearly 10.6 million shoebox gifts to children worldwide.

Although local drop-o locations for gifts are closed until Nov. 13 – 20, 2023, anyone can still be a part of this life-changing project by conveniently packing a shoebox gift online in just a few simple clicks at samaritanspurse. org/buildonline.

Sincerely,

Lizette Miller Media Relations Manager Operation Christmas Child

LINDA SHAPLEY Publisher lshapley@coloradocommunitymedia.com

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In response to recent articles and letters e Foothills location and facility is not excellent. It is a trailer and a gloried tu shed. It lacks o ce, meeting and sleeping space. In today’s times you need more incentives to attract volunteers who aren’t pursuing careers in the re service. You need a business center, recreation as well as hot and cold areas to protect re ghters from carcinogens and other cancer causing elements they pick up when responding to structure, vehicle and wildland res.

I am writing about two important issues. e letter from Kathryn Mauz once needs to be addressed rst. Jack Buchanan has presented two outstanding options to not only build a gateway to Evergreen that will increase tourism, business revenue and prestige for the community but will also provide a tax free upgrade to life safety as well as property protection as both the facilities for both the Foothills Fire Protection District, and Alpine Rescue are replaced.

Foothills will be able to get a rst class facility at no cost. is will help them scale down the station they asked taxpayers to build last November. It could cut the cost of that facility by more than half.

Also, in response to the EPRD survey: We do not need a parking garage at the lake, nor an indoor sports facility or ice rink. If your child is a prodigy, it is your responsibility to pay for that. Your responsibility to get them to practice or games. ousands of children who played made the NHL after their parents drove across ice covered roads in Canada at 4 in the morning to get them to the rink.

EPRD, please don’t build these facilities. We don’t need them. It’s time for people who just move here to stop interfering or forcing their WANTS on our community. Improve existing facilities. I even support building a third rec center near Conifer. EPRD could even partner with the library who has needs in that part of the community.

New Foothills Fire Station for free at El Rancho – YES!

Indoor Facility, Ice Rink and Parking Garage – NO!!!!

South Rec Center – YES!!!

Nate Marshall, Evergreen

KRISTEN FIORE West Metro Editor kfiore@coloradocommunitymedia.com

DEB HURLEY BROBST Community Editor dbrobst@coloradocommunitymedia.com

RUTH DANIELS Classified Sales rdaniels@coloradocommunitymedia.com

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