The return of the SUN IMBOLC

It appears I can't get enough of posting today lol. Anyway, its sunny outside, windy and a bit cold with a bit of sleet/rain every now and then, but finally we are turning the wheel of winter as its Imbolc on the pagan calendar here's some info.

It is the day that we celebrate the passing of Winter and make way for Spring

Look for the signs of spring, Snowdrops are a sure sign its on its way.

Imbolc, (Feb 1st and 2nd) in the Celtic seasonal calendar marked the beginning of the lambing season and signaled the beginning of Spring and the stirrings of new life. It is Feile Brighde, the 'quickening of the year'. The original word Imbolg means 'in the belly', and therein you have the underlying energy. All is pregnant and expectant - and only just visible if at all, like the gentle curve of a 'just-showing' pregnancy. It is the promise of renewal, of hidden potential, of earth awakening and life-force stirring. Here is hope. We welcome the growth of the returning light and witness Life's insatiable appetite for rebirth.

It is time to let go of the past and to look to the future, clearing out the old, making both outer and inner space for new beginnings. This can be done in numerous ways, from spring cleaning your home to clearing the mind and heart to allow inspiration to enter for the new cycle. ('Spring cleaning was originally a nature ritual' - Doreen Valiente). it's a good time for wish-making or making a dedication.

Imbolc is traditionally the great festival and honouring of Brigid (Brighid, Bride, Brigit), so loved as a pagan Goddess that her worship was woven into the Christian church as St Bridget. She is a Goddess of healing, poetry and smithcraft. She is a Goddess of Fire, of the Sun and of the Hearth. She brings fertility to the land and its people and is closely connected to midwives and new-born babies. She is the Triple Goddess, but at Imbolc she is in her Maiden aspect.

The sun has returned to us this has lifted my spirits, I am grateful for every moment, every season, always and forever.

Weird Coincidence and Vitamins

Today I went out to my favorite charity shop and walked into their book room where I chanced upon a book entitled 'Food as Medicine' picked the book up and opened it up and there straight away first page I looked at was yep you guessed it on breast cancer (spooky coincidence) in particular the vitamin D connection, obviously I bought the book and am finding it extremely insightful explaining quite a few things I had previously heard of but misinterpreted.

According to research a number of breast cancer sufferers were tested and found to have unusually low levels of vitamin D, we get this vitamin from the sun BUT when we put high factor sun protection on as well as blocking the harmful rays we also block out the essential vitamin D, it makes sense to me that my own levels of vitamin D would be low because I practically hibernate during the winter months not only is it very cold where I live but also quite dark due to living in a rural location that is surrounded by woods and trees. I have been taking this vitamin along with vitamin's E, and C for the past 3 - 4 months and certainly feel ok, definitely the vitamin C is helping my immune system, I've recently had a cold and got over it in record time just under a week, which considering I am now immune compromised due to the chemo I was very pleased about and put it down to taking the vitamin C. I will continue to take all 3 vitamins until the summer and then instead of taking vitamin D I will go out and top up on some natural vitamin D in the sun.