Category: Articles

Imbolc – Sacred Spaces and Rituals: Connecting with the Divine

Imbolc – Sacred Spaces and Rituals: Connecting with the Divine

Imbolc, with its roots deeply embedded in the fertile soil of history and spirituality, offers a tapestry of sacred practices and rituals that connect us to the divine, the natural world, and our innermost selves. At the heart of these practices are sacred spaces—wells, springs, and natural sanctuaries—that serve as conduits for the energies of renewal and purification inherent in this time of year.

The healing wells and springs, often associated with the goddess Brigid, are more than mere bodies of water; they are considered living, breathing entities that offer healing, wisdom, and a direct line to the divine. During Imbolc, these sacred spaces become the focal points of pilgrimage and reverence. People flock to these sites, not just to seek physical healing, but to immerse themselves in the sanctity and serenity that these waters embody. The act of circling the wells clockwise, of offering strips of cloth or tokens, represents a profound communion with the elements and a deep respect for the traditions that have flowed through generations.

Creating personal rituals during Imbolc is a way of honoring the sacred within and around us. It could be as simple as lighting a candle to signify the return of light, or as intricate as setting up an altar with symbols of Brigid, early spring flowers, and other items that resonate with the themes of renewal and purification. These rituals are intimate dialogues with the universe, silent prayers cast into the vastness, and affirmations of our desires and intentions for the cycle ahead.

The sacred spaces and rituals of Imbolc remind us of the interconnectedness of all things. They invite us to step into the flow of life, to align our rhythms with those of the earth, and to recognize the divinity that resides in nature, in our traditions, and within ourselves. In honoring these sacred practices, we weave our own threads into the fabric of the collective human experience, contributing to a tapestry that is as timeless as it is ephemeral.

As we reflect on the sacred connections and rituals that Imbolc offers, we are reminded of the enduring power of tradition, the healing embrace of nature, and the transformative potential of aligning with the rhythms of the earth.

Please join me tomorrow as we explore Imbolc during modern times :-)

Love,

Mambo Sam

January 25, 2024
Nature’s Reawakening: Imbolc as a Reflection of Life’s Cycles

Nature’s Reawakening: Imbolc as a Reflection of Life’s Cycles

Imbolc stands as a poignant reminder of the intimate dance between the natural world and human experience, a time when the subtle stirrings of spring whisper promises of renewal and growth. As the earth slowly awakens from its winter slumber, Imbolc invites us to witness and participate in this magnificent rebirth, to attune ourselves to the rhythms of nature, and to embrace the cycle of renewal that is inherent in all life.

In the heart of winter's chill, the signs of spring may seem like a distant promise, yet they are profoundly present at Imbolc. The festival is intricately linked with the lambing season, a time of birth and new beginnings. Ewes begin to lactate, a natural harbinger of nourishment and abundance, symbolizing the nurturing aspect of nature and the sustenance it provides. This period reflects the profound connection between human life and the agricultural cycle, reminding us of our reliance on and respect for the natural world.

The reawakening of nature during Imbolc is not just observed but actively celebrated and embraced. It is a time to start preparing the soil, to plant the seeds that will flourish in the months to come. Gardeners begin to plot their courses, sow their seeds indoors, and care for the sleeping plants, anticipating the burst of life that spring will bring. This act of planting, both literal and metaphorical, is a powerful ritual of Imbolc, embodying the themes of potential, growth, and the possibilities that lie within the quiet earth and within ourselves.

Nature’s reawakening at Imbolc is also a call to introspection and renewal for the human spirit. Just as the earth prepares to burst forth with new life, we are encouraged to nurture our inner landscapes, to plant the seeds of our intentions, and to cultivate our aspirations. It is a time for cleansing the old, making way for the new, and embracing the growth that comes with the changing of seasons.

As we observe the subtle shifts in the natural world, the lengthening of days, and the emergence of the first shoots and buds, we are reminded of the resilience, beauty, and relentless renewal that characterizes nature. Imbolc is a testament to the endurance of life, an invitation to align with the cycles of the earth, and a celebration of the endless dance of death and rebirth, decay and growth, dormancy and awakening.

Please join me tomorrow as we discuss Imbolc and Sacred Spaces :-)

Love,

Mambo Sam

January 24, 2024
Imbolc- Traditions and Hearth: Celebrating the Return of Light

Imbolc- Traditions and Hearth: Celebrating the Return of Light

In the heart of winter, when the nights are longest, Imbolc emerges as a beacon of renewal and hope. This ancient festival, deeply rooted in Celtic tradition, has evolved over the centuries, weaving its way into modern practices and hearts. Today, Imbolc is celebrated by people from various paths, each adding their own unique touch to the tapestry of tradition, yet all honoring the core essence of reawakening and renewal.

The return of light is a central theme of Imbolc, symbolized by the lighting of candles and bonfires. This act, far more than a mere tribute to the physical light, represents the kindling of the inner light, the spark of inspiration, and the warmth of community. In contemporary celebrations, candles not only illuminate spaces but also hearts and minds, guiding us through introspection and manifesting intentions for the coming cycle.

Creating a sacred space or home altar becomes a personal sanctuary where elements of Imbolc are lovingly arranged. A Brigid's cross, crafted from reeds or straw, is placed as a symbol of protection and blessing. Early spring flowers, with their delicate blooms, remind us of the resilience and beauty of nature, inspiring a sense of hope and renewal. This sacred space serves as a focal point for reflection, meditation, and connection with the divine essence of Brigid and the awakening earth.

Modern observances of Imbolc also involve a cleansing and purification of the home, mirroring the festival's theme of renewal. This goes beyond mere physical cleaning; it is an energetic renewal, sweeping away the old to make room for the new. It's a time to declutter not only our living spaces but also our minds and hearts, preparing the ground for new seeds of thoughts, intentions, and actions.

In embracing the traditions of Imbolc, we weave the threads of the past into the fabric of the present, creating a rich and meaningful tapestry that honors our heritage and our individual paths. It's a celebration that transcends time, connecting us with the cycles of nature, the wisdom of our ancestors, and the rhythm of our own inner landscapes.

As we honor these time-honored traditions, we are reminded that each flame lit, each space cleansed, and each intention set is a step towards a brighter, more awakened self, aligned with the ever-turning wheel of the year.

Please join us tomorrow as we discuss Imbolc as a Reflection of Life’s Cycle.

Love,

Mambo Sam

January 23, 2024
Embracing the Awakening: Imbolc and the Stirrings of Nature!

Embracing the Awakening: Imbolc and the Stirrings of Nature

As the wheel of the year slowly turns, there comes a time when the harshness of winter begins to yield to the subtle promises of spring. This period, known in the Celtic tradition as Imbolc, is more than just a marker of seasonal change. It's a celebration of rebirth, a festival of light, and a testament to the enduring hope that life, no matter how dormant it appears, will always find a way to renew itself. Imbolc, traditionally observed on February 1st, is deeply intertwined with the legend of Brigid – a figure who straddles the line between pagan mythology and Christian sainthood, embodying the spirit of healing, poetry, and the forge.

Let's embark on a journey through time and tradition, exploring the essence of Imbolc, its rituals, and the myriad ways it allows us to reconnect with the rhythms of nature. As the snow melts and the first green shoots dare to emerge, we are reminded of the resilience inherent in the earth and within ourselves. Imbolc is not just a reminder of the world's awakening but an invitation to awaken our inner landscapes, to kindle the flames of inspiration, and to prepare the soil of our souls for new seeds of possibilities.

The Essence of Imbolc: A Portal to Renewal

Imbolc, etched in the tapestry of time as a celebration of purification and light, offers a profound connection to the rhythms of the earth and the cycles of life. The festival, originating from the old Irish word 'i mbolc' meaning 'in the belly,' is traditionally observed during the lambing season. It's a period when the earth, seemingly still in the clutch of winter, begins to stir with the promise of spring.

Central to the celebration of Imbolc is the veneration of Brigid – a figure of immense importance in Celtic mythology. Brigid, or Saint Brigid in the Christian tradition, bridges the ancient and the sacred, the pagan and the divine. She is celebrated as the goddess of healing, poetry, smithcraft, and the hearth. Her association with fire and fertility weaves a rich tapestry that symbolizes the awakening of the land and the soul.

As the goddess of the forge, Brigid's flame represents not just the physical warmth that thaws the frozen ground, but also the spark of creativity, the fire of inspiration, and the warmth of hope that burns in the heart of humankind. She invites us to embrace the coming change, to prepare for growth, and to kindle our own inner fires as we step into the burgeoning light.

The celebration of Imbolc is deeply symbolic, marked by the crafting of Brigid's crosses from reeds, the creation of Brigid corn dolls, and the lighting of candles and bonfires. These rituals are not mere observances of tradition; they are acts of reconnection with the natural world, acknowledgments of the cycles that govern life, and affirmations of our place within this sacred rhythm.

As we reflect on the essence of Imbolc, we are reminded that renewal is a constant process, that life is a series of cycles, and that each ending paves the way for a new beginning. In honoring Brigid and the traditions of Imbolc, we open our hearts to the lessons of resilience, renewal, and rebirth that nature so eloquently teaches us.

Please visit tomorrow as we discuss welcoming back the light!

Love,

Mambo Sam

January 22, 2024
Saint Expedite!

November 10, 2023
Celebrate, protest, speak up, stay quiet – but do something if you feel the world needs to change!

Hello everyone!

It's been awhile since I blogged and figured now is a great time to get at it again. 🙂 Here we are with a new president, a new day dawning, and lots to complain about or lots to be happy about – depending upon your perspective.

Inauguration day was conflicting for me: I refuse to lose friends over politics. I also refuse to allow things that I personally think are wrong to be swept under the rug. We all have opinions, that is for sure. One thing I can promise you, having been on this earth for quite awhile now, gloating and being gleefully ugly because your side won OR wringing your hands and crying out with the vapors because your side lost, won't accomplish anything.

With the assistance of my loving family, Matt, Brandon, and Bridget, we decided to spend inauguration day supporting causes that were important to us. You may not be able to change the world, but you can change your little part of it. How you do that is totally up to you. We may not agree on what changes needs to be made; we may not agree on how changes need to be made. That's okay – I'm going to love you anyway! But, if you are unhappy with the way things are, do your best to do your part to effect the changes you want to see! Arguing, fighting, name-calling… all useless. Go for the positive changes where you can! Go for action not empty words. Anyone can write rhetoric. Show "the other side" what you are doing, why, and how you want to make this world a better place.

SO, inauguration day started at the Dollar Tree (of course it did, you're thinking – ah, you know me so well)! My grandson Brandon and I shopped for items to put in hygiene packs for the homeless. Matt, Brandon, and I put the hygiene packs together (please do note my spiffy labels!) and had such a good time together. We often take the simple things for granted – when I reach for toothpaste, it is generally there unless I forgot to get it at the store. Lady needs? Yep, got those, too. Toothbrush? Check. But for so many people living on the streets, these things are luxuries. As we put the kits together, we enjoyed doing it, but it also reminded us of how lucky we are. I am grateful for the time spent with family doing this and ever so grateful for my almost-middle-class life. Then, the lovely Bridget and I delivered the packets to one of our local homeless shelters, Joy Junction. There are other wonderful shelters here in New Mexico and we hope, over the coming months, to get to all of them!

Bridget's and my next stop was sort of Planned Parenthood and sort of Domino's Pizza! What do Planned Parenthood and Domino's have in common you ask? Well, nothing, I suppose. We knew we wanted to do something for Planned Parenthood, we just weren't sure what that might be. By the way, no matter what your beliefs are about abortion – about 90% of what Planned Parenthood does has nothing at all to do with abortions. Taking away funding from them is taking away reproductive health care for women who have no other options. (By the way, Federal funding for abortions at Planned Parenthood hasn't been a "thing" since the 1970's, so not sure why every one is up in the air about that – look stuff up, people, before you go flying off the handle. None of those precious "tax dollars" everyone keeps ballyhooing about goes to abortions.)

Anyway, considering the current climate where Planned Parenthood is concerned and the fact that there would be patients in there, we decided to pull into the Domino's down the street from the PP office and call them. Now, that was was interesting conversation: "Hello, Planned Parenthood, how may I help you?" "Hi, my name is Samantha Corfield, we would like to do something nice for your office today, you know, it being inauguration day and all…." "Really, is this a joke?" "No, not at all. My friend and I are down the street at Domino's and would like to send pizza to your office, would that be okay?" "Um (little giggle) I think so, let me talk to my manager. Are you sure this isn't a joke?" "Not a joke, I promise." Manager comes on phone: "Hi, how may I help you." I repeat the same thing about pizza and tell her that we didn't want to just roll up on them, all things considered, and patient confidentiality. She says, "I have been working for Planned Parenthood for 10 years and no one has ever done anything like this. It's so nice of you. But you don't have to, we appreciate just the gesture." Me, "How many people in your office and what kind of pizza do you like?" "Pepperoni and green chile." We chatted for a couple of more minutes and then Bridget and I went in to the Domino's and ordered pizza to be delivered. In speaking with these ladies on the phone, feeling their excitement over someone sending them pizza, it made me both sad and glad and made me wonder what kind of fear and abuse they go through working there. All I know is Bridget and I loved doing it!

The next stop we were planning was the Gay Pride office here in Albuquerque. But along the way, we came across this homeless man and just had to give him a Starbucks gift card. Let me just say, a Starbucks gift card must not be the usual thing handed out of a car window. Rarely have I seen anyone that excited. "Is this real? Is it for Starbucks? Starbucks??" Bridget is quite tickled with that reaction and hands him another one as we drive off. That was one excited man! Let me just say, none of this was a ton of money. You can bring a lot of joy into peoples' lives just by showing them you care; the smallest gift can make a huge impact on someone's day, week, or even life. I see you. That is what people want to know. That is what they want to hear. I see you.

Next stop was the Albuquerque Gay Pride office. We had planned to go in and ask them if we could buy them dinner or cupcakes or Starbucks(!), something… but no one was manning the office that day. Darn it. But we decided to be stealthy and Bridget whipped out more Starbucks gift cards and we wrote notes on them and put the cards through the mail chute. We just wanted to let them know that we are here, we support them, and we will be here to help them keep their rights should anyone try to take them away.

Next month we will do more! We will be visiting the ACLU office, the NAACP office, a shelter for at risk LGBTQ homeless teens, a women's shelter for victims of domestic violence, and more! We will continue to do things, even if they are small things, for the causes that are important to us. We aren't sharing this with you to get a pat on the back. What we are hoping is that you, too, will see that you can get out there and be the change. If you don't have money to do things, almost all places that are helping others need volunteers. If you can't volunteer in person, ask if you can make phone calls for them from home. Call and ask what you can do. Almost everyone can do something.

If you feel that the causes important to you are at risk, do what you can in your little part of the world. I solemnly swear to you that this is what will make a difference. Have no illusions: Certain ways of life are under attack. If it is important to you, get out there in the trenches. Fighting and schooling people on Facebook isn't going to do a damned thing; you aren't going to change their minds. They can't see you. Go out into the world and be the change.

I would also like to say a little side note here about politics, politicians, and making an impact. I worked with politicians for many years. A lot of change starts locally…. within your City Council. Don't forget to get to know your district's councilperson, representative, etc. They are your neighbors! They have a vested interest in your corner of the world. I'll give you an insider hint: Don't start out telling them what you don't want; tell them what you DO want. They get hundreds of people telling them what they don't want – it is refreshing for them to have someone come in or write to them and tell them what they want from a positive point of view. Do your homework. Have an idea how to make what you want happen! They are often the first rung on a very tall ladder, but they are also the foundation of politics. Don't overlook them as a way to let your needs be known. They are also very good at making introductions up the ladder, too. Give it a try!

In closing, I would like to say thank you to all who have been passionate about this election, and were able to do so in a caring, intelligent, and thoughtful manner. You are rare. You are good.

Love and peace to all,

Mambo Samantha Corfield
www.spellmaker.com

January 24, 2017
Do Opposing Signs Really Clash by Marco Chong

Hello everyone, I found this article by Marco Chong that I thought was really interesting about astrological compatibility. Of course, I honestly don’t think astrology should be a final deciding factor in anyone’s relationship, but the correlations are interesting. Enjoy the article!

Love,

Mambo Sam

ARTICLE
Do Opposing Signs Really Clash?

by Marco Chong

I have been doing a lot of research on opposing signs recently.You will be looking at opposing signs in both Western Astrology and Chinese Horoscopes points of view.

Let me touch on Chinese Horoscopes first.In Chinese Astrology,signs that are directly opposite of each other are known as clashing signs.Since the olden days,parents always believe that their children should never marry a spouse born under opposing signs. For example,if you are born under the Tiger sign,you should never marry someone born under the Monkey sign.

The clashing signs are as follows:
Rat clashes with Horse
Ox clashes with Goat
Tiger clashes with Monkey
Rabbit clashes with Rooster
Dragon clashes with Dog
Snake clashes with Pig

It is believed that opposing signs or rather opposing animals will always end up in divorce.Opposing signs are usually 6 years apart.

But what is the reason behind opposing signs?Why are there opposing signs in the first place?
In Chinese Astrology,each horoscope belongs to a certain element.Opposing signs are always clashing elements.

Let me explain in illustrate with an example…
Looking at the Horse and Rat.The Horse’s element is Fire,while the Rat’s element is Water.Fire and Water clash.This is the logic behind the clashing signs. But is it really true that people born under the Rat sign should never marry someone born under the Horse sign?

Not true.

In a certain year,there are so many people born.It is not true to say that clashing signs should not marry.A more accurate way of looking at it is to look at the 8 characters.What are the 5 elements in each parties’ 8 characters.

However,if you use the clashing signs to forecast your luck cycle the results are always accurate.Let me explain in detail… Let’s say you are born in the year of Horse.Next year is the year of Rat,your opposing sign.You can expect your luck cycle to be down in the Rat year.There will be a lot of sudden changes and things that take you by surprise.

Therefore, it is not accurate to use clashing signs to determine love compatibility.I have friends whose parents are opposing signs.But they are still happily married after so many years.I mixed around with people born under my opposite sign.I get along with them well,there was no clash.

Next, I will touch on the opposing signs of the Western Astrology.I have read in many books that opposing signs in Western Astrology are in fact the most compatible. Why so?The books stated that opposing signs can make up each others’ differences. After reading,I was still not convinced.It seems that in the Western Astrology world,there was no clashes.I decided to do some research into this area.

My discoveries showed that there are indeed clashes in Western Astrology.Using myself as an example,I realised that I could never see eye to eye or get along with people born under my opposing sign.
I thought it was just a coincidence after 1 or 2 cases.But I was quite convinced this is true after more than 10 cases.

The Western Astrology opposing signs are as follows:
Aries is opposite of Libra
Taurus is opposite of Scorpio
Gemini is opposite of Sagittarius
Cancer is opposite of Capricorn
Leo is opposite of Aquarius
Virgo is opposite of Pisces

The conclusion is this, when determining love compatibility, from a Western Astrology point of view, opposing signs really clash.Whereas the effect of the clash in Chinese Horoscopes is quite small.

COPYRIGHT, Marco Chong

September 25, 2007