The Pagan festival of Imbolc takes place at the beginning of February and symbolically marks the first day of Spring. One of the cross quarters of the Celtic Wheel of the Year, Imbolc is associated with Brigit (Bride/Bridget), maiden Goddess of Healing and sacred fire.

There are many holy wells and sacred sites across the UK dedicated to Brigit, including the unspoilt Brides Mound in Glastonbury, where it is thought a spiritual community existed since pre-Christian times and where St Brigid of Kildare is said to have stayed in 488AD.

Traditionally at Imbolc, new seedlings start to push their way through the soil, and we see the beginning of a new farming cycle. ‘Imbolc’ means ‘in the belly’, which relates to the time when lambing begins. Thus the Goddess Brigit is often depicted milking a ewe and is said to breathe life into the mouth of winter.

We noticed the first signs of Imbolc here in Avalon last week when we visited the Chalice Well to cleanse and bless some crystal skulls in the magical waters there. There was a sense of optimism apparent everywhere in the signs of nature and as we absorbed the fresh, Spring sunshine we were greeted by a friendly Robin who treated us to a few moments of joyful song.

Spending time at the Chalice Well always helps us return to a point of stillness, gratefulness and balance regardless of the challenges we face. Nature teaches us about the certainty of cycles and reminds us that inner security can always be reached as long as we see ourselves as part of the whole.

Today, Pagans see Imbolc as the time for a fresh start. It’s the perfect time for spring cleaning and de-cluttering on a physical and an energetic level. Start thinking about what you’d like to achieve, set new goals and look for seeds of inspiration in the emergence and quickening of nature.

In honour of Brigit, corn dolls and Bride crosses (fire wheels) are made, which are traditionally woven from reeds or straw. Milk is an ideal offering to Bride, Goddess of healing, as you ask for assistance in improving your physical and spiritual health.

This Imbolc feels particularly powerful, as we welcome a Full Moon on 7^th February, also known as the Chaste Moon. Its name relates to the notion that we approach the fresh start marked by Imbolc with a pure, clear Soul. It’s an ideal time for releasing that which no longer serves us, so Banishing Rituals, Purification Ceremonies and Karmic Clearance will all make for powerful magical work under the Full Moon.

If you’re drawn to crystals, Selenite, Smoky Quartz and Howlite will support your healing and magic beautifully. Herkimer Diamond will offer you the boost of clarity you seek if you are struggling for guidance about how to move forward. Full motivation will return with the Full Moon, when it’s time to work with crystals that empower your Free Will centre, such as Pyrite, Sunstone and Carnelian.

Interestingly, the Goddess Brigit is also associated with the fire of the Sun, which increases from Spring towards Summer. This seems pertinent right now because we can also capitalise upon the energies that still remain around us from last week’s gigantic Solar Flare as an opportunity for healing and release. Many people have noticed that this Solar Flare seemed to trigger a particularly marked emotional response, with issues of insecurity, self-doubt and uncertainty about the future coming to the forefront.

This very much reminds me of the energy of The Tower card of the Tarot, which speaks to me of the requirement to make a firm choice to rebuild the structures around one’s life in order to make a fresh start. It’s also about being forced to face the realities of life when we can no longer sit isolated within the barriers and protections we have built around ourselves.

How apt this Tarot card seems for us all today, as we are called to tear down and rebuild the structures of our dysfunctional world as we move from duality into Oneness. We feel this irresistible ‘call’ to Unity in the very fabric of our cells, emanating from our own inner core, the core of the Earth and the Heart centre of Source~Consciousness that beckons us home.

In this respect the Solar Flares are a double-edged sword, because while their powerful Light-codes catalyse much needed change, we become more aware of the fears we release as part of the transformation process and we are challenged to find ways to stay in a space of joy and Love while we make the necessary shifts.

My advice for this moment is to open the Heart to feel the Loving resonance of the future we now co-create, see it is already manifest when we transcend the illusion of time, and use this connection to transform any fear vibration overshadowing the process of change on a personal, planetary and Cosmic level.

Whenever there is a sudden event or shock that unsettles us to our very foundations physically, emotionally or energetically there is always a time of calm and silence that enables the dust to settle before we take whatever action is necessary to move forward. So the next few days are for stillness and reflection, while we ask the Higher Self for guidance on what it is that we need to acknowledge and release to enable the path ahead to be cleared.

Our challenge in 2012 is very much about staying in harmony with the cycles and shifts relating to the Earth’s process as we ourselves are an integral part of these changes. Listen through the Heart, hear the ‘call’ to Oneness and feel the magnetism of Source~Consciousness to ride the wave and stay right on track. Remember this beautiful planet is our home – so release resistance and synchronise with the natural flow as together we journey back to where we belong.

Rhian Kivits – Crystal Priestess

Orbs are mysterious, spherical forms of energy and light that conventional science can’t fully explain. The most common form of orb is the small white sphere often captured on digital cameras, although they have been spotted in many colours and a variety of sizes.

Orbs are the most common form of paranormal phenomena captured on video or camera by psychics and paranormal investigators. Quite often they appear without warning on ‘normal’ photographs and we’re not sure why they’re there. Be aware that not all photographs of orbs are genuine, however, as particles of dust and moisture can appear as orbs in your pictures. So perhaps the most exciting orbs are the ones that we can see with the naked eye if we are perceptive enough and release our limitations.

There are a number of theories that attempt to explain the strange phenomenon of orbs. Some say that they are a basic form of ghost or spirit – the portion of us that leaves the body after death. Another suggestion is that orbs are the manifestation of elementals or nature spirits. Shamanism and other ancient, nature based belief systems have always revered the consciousness of flowers, plants and the land itself.

Finally, the idea that orbs represent consciousness from other realms or dimensions is perhaps the most plausible. This suggests that the spherical, light form is how other-worldly or multidimensional consciousness can project itself into our third dimensional existence. This makes sense to me because I believe the nature of consciousness itself to be spherical and consider the form of the sphere (and circle) to be sacred. Some say that orbs collect information, while others claim that they deliver wisdom and healing to our realm. They suggest that the origin of this consciousness is angelic, faery or even extra terrestrial and that if we open to the possibility, we can even communicate with them.

After years of developing my own perception and psychic skills through meditation, working with energy and connecting with crystal skulls, I’ve found that I can usually detect orbs with the naked eye and this is then validated if I decide to take a photograph. Often I’ll be working with the crystal skulls, perhaps having placed them as elements of a 3D mandala and I’ll have lit some small candles, begun burning some incense or herbs and I’ll be sitting quietly in a relaxed state when the orbs appear. I might notice a sudden flash around the crystals or crystal skulls, or perceive something moving across the room very quickly from the corner of my eye. It’s not unusual for me to also feel a subtle change in atmosphere and there will be a sense I’m not alone.

When this happens, I’ll pick up the camera or reach for my mobile phone and take a few snaps. More often than not, I’m rewarded with the appearance of an orb or two, and when the images are enlarged there can be some amazing results; rainbow colours, geometric shapes, faces or even the outline of an entire being can manifest in these strange floating spheres.

In my view, orbs manifest when the energetics are favourable. It makes sense, therefore, when they appear in the vicinity of the healing altar, around the crystals or close to the crystal skulls. It also makes sense when they seem to be hovering near trees, flowers or plants, because they are resonating in harmony with the spiritual energies of nature. I sometimes get the feeling that orbs need to resonate with another ‘Being’ in order to appear, and that the life force energy of other ‘Beings’ is a key factor in how and why they manifest. However, I also believe that orbs can appear in their scores in places where the Earth energies are favourable or gateways to other dimensions exist.

My own photographs of the temples of Egypt are full of orbs, which is no surprise considering these sites have been places of connection with the Divine since ancient times. Ancient architects selected locations for these temples where the Earth energy is incredibly active and aligned them with the sacred geometry of the Cosmos, so even today in these places the veils between the dimensions are incredibly thin and the very walls of these temples are flowing with life force energy and spiritual light.

When orbs appear, I always acknowledge and welcome their presence. Even if they don’t seem to have a particular message to convey or a defined reason for showing up, I like to consider their presence as validation that there is so much more in existence than first meets the eye and I value them as ambassadors for the world of energy.

Whatever the explanation for orbs, experiencing them real-time is much more powerful than viewing them in photos. If you’d like to try to see orbs, find a safe, quiet place, meditate or raise your vibration, project the strong intention of lifting your limitations and seeing some energy spheres. You could enhance the energy with some crystals, a crystal skull or alternatively go out in nature and work with a tree or plant that you feel a connection with. When you are ready, use all your senses to perceive what is around you. Keep your digital camera handy but remember the most important record keeping facility we possess is within our own minds, so concentrate on embracing the experience rather than capturing the proof.

Rhian Kivits – Crystal Priestess

Following on from the theme of the ‘quickening’ – the flow of changes that we currently all seem to be part of – and at the end of a whirlwind week during which I’ve been lucky enough to observe, support and trigger some powerful shifts for others, I’m pondering a question I was asked earlier today – why does the healing process so often seem to hurt?

Tuning in to the emotional aspects of the human energy anatomy, it’s a fact that we seldom explore our personal energetic state with true honesty.

If asked to consider their level of emotional comfort on a linear scale, most people would probably place themselves somewhere in the middle on an average day, in a sort of midpoint state of ‘okay’. However, if challenged to really access their truth in an environment free from judgment, such as on the healing couch, it’s probable that many would admit to the state of ‘okay’ really being one of total or partial emotional numbness. Their emotional pain is tucked away somewhere lonely and dark, ready to surface in a quiet, personal moment, or waiting for a trigger from a family member or work colleague that will send them into that all too familiar spiral of blame and shame.

When emotional pain surfaces in our daily interactions, it’s a natural tendency to try to project it towards some unfortunate target person or to turn it inward and further feed the low-density energies lurking within the psyche and energy body.

The more conscious types are likely to recognise and analyse the issues that arise, perhaps using energy-healing or psychological techniques to understand what’s going on in an effort to release and transform the negativity. This is an important part of breaking the unpleasant patterns that hold us back and progressing with the healing journey. Of course it’s painful to wake from the state of ‘numbness’ and really admit how we feel, especially when it seems to happen in fits and starts and it’s often quite a shock, but the benefits are there once we’ve energetically shifted sufficiently to access a new, lighter way of being.

To some, all this might be stating the obvious, but the real question is how can we make the healing process less painful and dramatic? Plenty of Spiritual seekers and individuals ‘on the path’ can be observed bouncing from drama to crisis, regularly sharing explosive, emotional releases with anyone within the furthest reach of their shock-wave. Surely this can’t be the only way to experience change?

This brings us back to the first point – that most people seldom examine their own personal energetic state with true honesty.

Recognising that numb state of just ‘okay’ is surely worth incorporating in our daily routine. Furthermore, there has to be recognition that the ‘numb’ state of being is a product of self judgment and the nemesis of the individual who simply won’t regularly look within…or who only takes a peek when their hand is forced. All experience is a reflection of the self, after all.

Finding personal strategies to remind us of the fact that we’re awake and alive has to be key, along with that liberating realisation that it’s okay not to be ‘okay’. That way, we know when to seek help from our own reserves or through the healing services of others, but when the shifts happen and the triggers arise, we don’t have to stumble along in prolonged, painful states of confusion, and healing can occur in an instant, leaving us unscathed and feeling whole.

 Rhian Gibbings