I was going to publish a follow-up on my previous post (Our food), but then this little friend, the snowdrop, reminded me about something that is happening right here and now: the awakening.

While the media pours in absurd news, I put on my coat and shoes and go for a long walk in nature. It is a sunny day, the frost is thawing and…there’s a very slight aroma of sweet, warming-up soil in the air. I see tiny rosettes of new growth on the ground and as I return home, I find tiny snowdrops emerging all over my garden. Imbolc!

Imbolc is the name of this seasonal holy day of the ancients, marking the time on the wheel of the year when new life begins to stir after a long winter sleep. The first lambs are born around this time, snow drops and Hamamelis blossom and the sweet scent of warming-up soil can be traced in the air on sunny days.
Imbolc is on 1st of February (some sources say 31st January – 2nd February), but I’d rather apply it to a day like last Sunday, the first day of the year when you notice that the deepest winter is behind our back.

The days are slowly growing longer, the birds know something has changed – their song has a cheerful enthusiasm to it.

For us gardeners it is the “Go!”-sign, the peppers and aubergines can be sown indoors, first cold-tolerant greens may start their growth outside (under the protection of glass).

My bear-like personality quickens from her winter sleep and I find my interest tickled by indoors-things to try out. Sowing new plant-friends to greet of course, but also new kitchen experiments: kimchi, kefir and – soon – natural cheese making. And should you hear angry Finnish swearing from this direction, it’ll be me, finding out that hand-spinning wool wasn’t as easy as I had imagined.

What’s going on?!

Well, after tending for flu-felled family members for a few weeks, my immune system got temporarily weakened by the combination of tiredness and bad news from the World and friends. I spent four days in bed, first with fever, sleeping a lot, then with a pounding headache that wouldn’t let me read (my favourite opportunity to read books is when I’m ill) so I lay there, thinking. I guess there are many others with the same question on their mind: what can I do to save the world?

Here’s my personal conclusion, brewed in 48hours of contemplation.

–  Follow you Heart, always. Discern opinions, actions and words through your Heart.

–  Fill your well. You can’t give if your energy sources are empty. You can’t give if your emotional sources are empty. And you can’t give if your creativity sources are empty. So feed your energy, passion, love, inspiration and
gratitude. Count your blessings, take care of your self and your direct surroundings. This is essential preparation.

–  If you’re a dweller-in-the-past do some healing work and forgive. Forgive others, forgive yourself. Cherish the beautiful times like eternal diamonds. Keep your memories as precious souvenirs but live in the here and now, this is where Life happens.

–  Bring the future to the here and now: what is your greatest daydream? What does your Heart yearn for? Even if the time is not ripe to live all of that daydream now, you can have little nibbles at it! Find out what you can do NOW that makes your Heart sing with joy, and do that.

–  There is enough. There is probably even too much. Be watchful of silly thoughts of smallness, neediness and such. Again, check: count your blessings. Do some Kondo-tidying and you’ll be amazed at the bulk of your belongings… Share. Trade. Love.

The very first stirrings of a new growing season. Make it a good one, an exceptional one, the one where you didn’t hold anything back but went for all of it, giving it your best, most sincere and mindful attention-awareness.

Oh, and “Our food – part 2” will be here next week!

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