February | ASdfhjkal posted this way overdue February spread on the first day of March… cause… February was super super busy :”) at least midterm szn is over! Yay :D
my contribution to @capricalendar2021 and of course I choose to draw Nikandros. Even tho I kind a got the theme wrong, I hope no one is objecting that Nik isn’t in lingerie. oups, hehe~
Thank you so much to @joves-stash for joining the project and drawing this delicious Nik! Who could ever object to his “lingerie”
It’s easy to let things slip. Too easy in fact - all you really need is life to keep progressing forward, and sooner or later, for one reason or another, you find yourself forgetting some of the things that you used to love. And months, even years, can go past before you realize how long it’s been since you sat down and let yourself lose track of time doing something that used to bring you joy. I remember lying on my bedroom floor when I was a teenager and just listening to music for hours. I remember writing late into the night, and making collages with scraps of paper covering the whole floor. I haven’t done any of those things for about seven months. I haven’t drawn anything for at least a whole year. And it’s strange, because when people ask me what I like to do I list those things, and then I remember how long it’s been.
I am starting to think that most people who say they don’t have enough time have a warped view of their life. Or maybe I’m just projecting, because that is definitely the case with me. I have plenty of time. So I have decided to reclaim all this time I am wasting on very worthless and poisonous things by giving myself a little challenge - for every single day of this month, I am going to complete a page of my notebook. Drawing, writing, whatever. I don’t think it really matters. Anything is better than nothing. I’ll post some of the pages on here, and hopefully this project will wake me up from this strange dull hiatus I have taken from actually enjoying my life. And if it doesn’t, at least I will be making better use of my time. Because as I’ve already said, anything is better than nothing.
The wheel is ever turning, and we once again have arrived at Imbolc. Unlike the equinox’s or solstice’s, Imbolc is held on the same day each year. This sabbat is typically celebrated on the 1st or 2nd of February, depending on the individual/coven. I choose to celebrate it on the 1st, which actually means I hold my ritual on the 31st of January. This is because I always celebrate my holidays on the “eve”, or night before, of the actual day. This is typical in many traditions. Whichever day you choose to celebrate it is up to you, however you see fit.
So…what is Imbolc?
Imbolc falls in the middle between the winter solstice (Yule) and the Spring Equinox (Ostara). It is viewed upon as the coming of light. In the sky, the days are beginning to become noticeably longer. This welcoming of the sun is often celebrated by lighting candles. The fire, warmth, and light from the candles directly symbolize the sun. I have heard many references to the Celtic Goddess Brighid. She is also symbolized by fire, in addition to the well (as in a water-well).
Imbolc, again, is the coming of the sun. It is also a time for cleansing, purification, transformation, and new beginnings. Many Wiccans choose this day for their self-dedication or initiation. Because of Brighid’s significance on this day, it is also a time to focus on mental skills, creativity, motivation, and psychic ability.
Another interesting attribute to Imbolc is its similarity to Ground-Hog’s day. Traditionally, if there is nice weather on Imbolc the winter will last longer. Alternatively, if the weather is poor, spring is fast approaching.
What to do on Imbolc?
❃ Dedication or Initiation rituals
❃ Spells for motivation or creativity
❃ Divination
❃ Light many candles. Some people light 9, others 13.
❃If indoors- Get your cauldron (or large metal salad bowl, perhaps) and fill it with dirt (I have also used cat litter and sand). Place 9 taper candles in a spiral.
❃ If outdoors- Have a large bon-fire, which can be used with or as an alternative to the cauldron.
❃ ❃ Most importantly, be safe, have fun, and blessed be. ❃ ❃
The Wild Hearts is a network for those who have something to say to a love lost, or a love cherished. For those who are still in love with the art of a simple letter, turned into poetry or prose.
We will be offering prompts monthly for the time being, for those who are interested in submitting or simply tagging #thewildheartsnet in your pieces.
February’s prompts:
Thaw; the myth of a frozen heart.
Star-crossed dreamers; distance is like a galaxy ripping apart at the seams.
We’ve had a few storms recently, with some very strong winds, a bit scary to be honest … I was so worried about our Polycrub and greenhouse. Thankfully both have survived the extreme weather beautifully, which is such a relief …
Also the snow returned today … we absolutely love it, but my chickens were definitely not impressed … poor girls. Even so, they’re being gracious enough to lay us lots of lovely eggs. I’d be lost without them …
Anyway, keeping our fingers crossed for a snowy Saturday, would be great to get the sleds out and have some fun … ❄️☃️
