The festival of Imbolc is celebrated today, February 1st, and corresponds to the phase of the year in which the light manifested with the winter solstice begins to be perceived more clearly.

(The mulberry tree by the orchard we get our apples from).

It is the first conscious and attentive sprouting of new life under the snow. The dawning light, the purification of past attachments and the beginning of new life are celebrated.

(Descending into the Pisan plain yesterday).

For us it is also time to return to the garden and encourage our plants to wake up to the year’s new dawn and shake off winter’s somnolence..