By Jean Lengacher 

February 2, 2019 marks a turning point; we have arrived at Midwinter.  For those of us who live in the Northern Hemisphere, we welcome this news, even while we are rebounding from a significant polar vortex event of sub-freezing temperatures and frigid winds.  

Marking MidWinter time goes by several names: 

• Candlemas (Candle Mass), Christian tradition lighting of candles for the presentation of the Christ Child in the Temple
• Imbolc, Celtic time noting beginning of lambing season and greening of pastures
• Groundhog Day, celebrating the anticipation of Springtime, wrapped up in whether the groundhog will or will not see his shadow!
• Today celebrates Brigid, the Celtic goddess of light, noting the Sun is now halfway between the winter solstice and spring equinox.

This “day of turning” invites us to pause, walk, reflect.  This day calls us to notice what needs shedding, scrubbing, or lathering. This day summons an awareness in our homes, in our work, with our loved ones…noticing hidden and awakened signs of new life.  Likewise, this day invites us to notice the “inner landscape of our soul,” what lies dormant, listening in for muffled rumblings that signal the emergence of new life.

Turning of wintertime into springtime requires many cycles of “freeze/thaw,” and “thaw/freeze” for the re-awakening of Creation.  Consider one or several of these rituals to honor your endurance of Winter and your hope and promise of Spring:

• Take a 20-30 minute soak in bath salts; listen to meditative music, if you wish.Soak and scrub away the old; lather and shine with lotion after your bath.
• Take a 20-30 minute unhurried walk in nature; listen for the sound of your feet on the ground, listen for the song of nature, notice any hints of changing of seasons in the air.
• Sketch or write your way through an internal examen of your soul; what thoughts, attitudes, habits are bringing love, joy, peace and contentment. What thoughts, attitudes, habits are diminishing my life; creating false fear, anger, resentment and hostility?  What am I desiring from the Divine? How might my heart be transformed and made new?  Invite the presence of the Divine to participate in turning over of your heart space into a renewed, scrubbed and clean place.  Pause and offer a prayer of gratitude for what has been given, and what remains unseen and hidden.