Whirling Dervishes On A Monday Morning

Monday morning and it's Wrestlemania here. The dogs are romping and tussling in the living room, with Gwennie racing around the circle between living room, dining room and kitchen. The wrestling grows intense. The kittens watch from under the dining table then begin their own version of "Animals Gone Wild". Why so much flurry and fuss so early in the morning? It is all in good fun, of course, but I am sitting at my desk with a second cup of coffee and whirling dervishes are very distracting this time of day.

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The Full Moon was sighted briefly Saturday night during a freak clearing of clouds. She was rising and her appearance was awesome. Sharply revealed in that velvet blackness, such a bold whiteness. Clean, snowy-white, bright and beautiful. And then the clouds swept back in and no sign of Her since. But seen or unseen, a powerful presence.

Saturday's Full Moon as seen from my deck (apologies for blurriness)

This week will be spent preparing for Imbolc, the Wiccan sabbat that falls on February 2nd. Traditionally this sabbat is a precursor to Ostara in March (The Spring Equinox). Imbolc is the mid-way point between Yule (the Winter Solstice) and Ostara. In times gone by, pagans would celebrate this day because the signs that Winter is nearing its end are appearing. Lambs and calves begin arriving, burrowing animals start crawling out of their winter dens and perhaps crocuses and snowdrops are showing their pert little selves. In modern times, Wiccans and pagans take heart that the Winter will be over soon. In my neck of the woods this thought is purely symbolic, as Winter usually lasts past the Spring Equinox. Most of our sabbats are symbolic in nature as we are a Spiritual bunch and observances reflect our traditions in spite of calendars and weather.

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More about Imbolc as the week goes on.

It is snowing today and ice is also expected. I am envious of my daughter who flew to Florida over the weekend to attend a business convention in Orlando. Poor thing, it is expected to be 81 degrees F there today, how will she manage?!

Merry Meet and Merry Part and Merry Meet Again!