Halfway between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox in the Pagan calendar, is Imbolc. In the Christian calendar this time is known as Candlemas or if you live in Ireland St. Brigid’s Day. Whichever way we think of this period, we are surely celebrating the return of the light and as the light increases, so the earth begins to warm and plants begin to grow.
The snowdrops that appeared around the time of the winter solstice are still here in my garden. I have to turn their delicate drooping heads to see the beauty inside.
I’ve added another two letters to my Ogham Tree alphabet: L and S.
Rowan: Sorbus aucuparia. It is the second tree of the Celtic Tree Ogham: LUIS. L and is associated with connections between the inner and outer worlds.
Willow: Salix alba. The willow is the fourth tree of the Celtic Tree Ogham: SAILLE. S and is associated with healing imbalances.
Let’s celebrate what the ancients believed was the opening of the door to Spring.
Ashley
A Different View 
I have to leave my comment here, Ashley, and hope you will see it.
I love your post as even one mention about arrival of spring makes my day! I also have shoots coming through!
Yes, more light, more hope, and love! As winter so far has been quite mild, I have a few bushes flowering already.
Joanna
Thank you, Joanna for you lovely comments. Already there are many buds & like you think “more light, more hope & love”. Thank you 🌹🤗💌🙋♂️
You are more than welcome, Ashley!
Joanna
That’s a beautiful haiga, Ashleaf-san! There are many green tongues in nature this time of year, the first day of spring!! The snowdrops are hardy things. Your Ogham sticks and your artwork are beautiful, Fraxi ! Happy Spring to you and Carol! Stay warm and healthy!
Thank you, Edo-san, your comment is much appreciated. Words on their own can be difficult but words & images can be very tricky. Wishing you & Marilyn Happy Spring! 🤗🙋♂️
Muy bonito ver crecer esos brotes que ya anuncian la llegada de la primavera! Por aquí el rosal rojo tiene ya muchas hojas nuevas. Este año quiero plantar glicineas a ver si crecen bien… ¡feliz primavera, querido amigo!
Gracias, Bárbara. Espero ver algunas fotos de las glicinas. Os deseo una feliz primavera. Un abrazo.
¡Las veras, querido, amigo!!! Otro gran abrazo.
Que bonito post y fotografías. Bienvenida la primavera aunque me pregunto si no es pronto aún. Yo sigo trabajando con mis orquídeas en mi pequeño invernadero. Un abrazo.
¡La primavera está comenzando pero aún le queda camino por recorrer! Gracias por tu visita aquí. 🤗🙋♂️
I’m also very happy to see that the days are getting longer again, the first signs of life reappear and soon the first flowers will follow. It brings new hope for everyone.
Hi Rudi, the buds appear but winter doesn’t leave us without saying goodbye! So, I keep my hat & gloves close by just in case! Thanks for your visit.
I certainly love the door to Spring. those snowdrops are so sweet and beautiful inside.
It is getting a little lighter and even warmer.
It is great to look forward to even more light!
Have a Fabulous February ♥
Dear Ute, thank you. Wishing you warmth & light 🤗🙋♂️
Out walking today, Ashley, and a definite feel of it in the air. Snowdrops aplenty in the woodlands, lots of bulbs coming up in the garden, and still light at going up for 5:00 pm. Bring it on. 🙂
I love these days when we see the first signs of spring. Happy walking, Michael. Perhaps I will manage to get some walks in for myself this year. 🙏
Happy Imbolg. We had sparklers
Happy Imbolc to you too! ✨🎇
Happy Imbolc, my dear Ashley and Happy February. Time to let the light in and here’s to opening the door to Spring, my friend!
🙏🌱🌟
Dear Marina, the door is open & the light is already lifting our spirits. 🐟🦈🙋♂️
Yes, my friend!
🙏🎶🌟✨
So nice to see little tentative signs of Spring. I even felt a little warmth from the sunshine today, though only a spark. 🙂
Sharon, it only takes a little spark to light a fire! 🤗😊
I love learning about the significance of trees and your growing Ogham Tree Alphabet! They look just like magic wands ☺️ Yes, I’d noticed the days getting longer and felt relieved by that. Hope you’re well, Ashley 💕🌸
Thank you, Sunra, for your lovely comments. I wish they were magic wands; I’d wave one & could make the rain stop! Perhaps it’s only a shower! Wishing you well 💓🤗
Ha ha! They look magic to me! You’re welcome ❤️🤗
Yes, days are getting longer, and spring is not far behind. Happy Imbolc, Ashley!
We celebrate Basant Panchami (Feb 14 this year as per Hindu calender) for harvest and the onset of spring. Happy Spring in advance 🎉💐
Kaushal, thank you. I hope you’ll write about Basant Panchami in your own blog. 🙏
Maybe. It’s also considered as Indian version of Valentine day.
Wishing you light and joy for the spring to come Ashley – love your Ogham sticks.
Andrea, thank you for visiting here. I hope all is well with you & the increasing light will bring you joy too 🤗🙋♂️
oh wow flowers are already poking up their head? Spring sure is so close!!
Thanks, Tanooki for your visit here. I believe that in Japan’s old agricultural calendar this period (Jan30-Feb3) is known as “hens start laying eggs”. 🐔🐣🙋♂️
Oh really!? It’s my first time to hear that, but probably because I’m not good at planting/growing🥴
You might like this:
https://www.kurashikata.com/72seasons/
Hi thank you for sharing! I just visited the page and looks like these seasons are used to make a good haiku. I had fun reading it💕
Glad you found it of interest. Perhaps you could refer to it for your cooking through the seasons. 🤗💕🙋♂️
Seeing the spring flowers start popping through gives me so much hope.
Yes! Hopeful. Thank you for your visit here. 🙋♂️
Thanks for visiting me at Seasonwords. I looked for you there… did I miss you?
The tree alphabet looks very interesting. The inscriptions are runes? I tried to find info on the net about the runic alphapbet but the one site was suspect so I clicked off…
Cheers.
I’m a not a regular contributor of Seasonwords but I do follow the blog. Mark puts some great work into it & there are many wonderful contributions from followers. Here is a link which will add more to your knowledge of the Celtic Tree Ogham:
https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Ogham
Thank you. I have saved the link to look at when I have more time 🙂