In Ireland, the first of February is called St. Brigid’s Day. It is regarded as the first day of spring. Traditionally, in the Celtic calendar, the festival of Imbolc was celebrated at the beginning of February. This was a feast of the feminine – the birth of new life at the beginning of another year.
To help entry into the spirit of this special season a meditation for spring is offered here.
MEDITATION FOR SPRING
Sit in a comfortable position and bring your attention to how you are feeling at this moment. Be aware of your surroundings and any distracting thoughts and moods. Honour them, and gently put them to one side, knowing that you can come back to them later.
Slowly bring your focus to how your body is feeling, adjusting your position to help you relax. Become aware of your breathing, following your breath as it enters and leaves your body. Gradually, and when you are ready move your attention from your body and the outside world and enter your imagination.
Imagine you are walking in the countryside on a lovely spring day. Think of all the best you know of the spring – brighter and longer days, early flowers, the song of the blackbird. There will still be a chill in the air, but a gentler, kinder type than in the winter. Imagine the earth pulsating with all the new life that is waiting to burst forth. What do you see, hear, smell, feel on your skin? What does spring taste like to you?
Imagine you are walking along a path and suddenly something catches your attention. You are not sure what it is, but you feel drawn to it. Draw closer to investigate. It is an opening into the earth that is full of water which reflects all above it. How deep does this opening go? Where does the water come from? Yes, you have discovered a well.
Lean over and peer down into the well. What can you see? Become aware of the surface water and see a reflection of yourself in it. Imagine that you are the well, with all its depth and secret source, and the reflection you see is the self the world sees. Imagine the self you are looking at is someone you have never met before. What would be your impression? Are you surprised at how you look?.Do your looks reflect how you feel inside? Be aware of the set of your mouth, the expression of your eyes, the lines that show that you have lived. Look at these things not with judgement, but with affection, admiration, respect and interest. Be aware of what your appearance says about you – who you are, where you have come from, the choices you have lived with, the difficulties and disappointments you have endured, the dreams you have realized, the hopes you still hold for yourself. See and honour all of these things, for they make you the unique person you are in God’s eyes.
Now look back into the well and imagine the depths beneath the surface reflection. Go deeper and deeper. Something is stirring there. Bubbles are beginning to rise to the surface. Imagine this is a dream or hope of something you would like for yourself this next while. Try to articulate what that is. Gaze on it with love and engagement.
When you are ready, and in your own time draw back from looking into the well. Stretch up and gently turn your thoughts outwards. Look around you and connect once again with the loveliness of the Spring day as you continue slowly on your way.
Meditation designed by Gill McCarthy