First Spring- Awakening.. but slowly
- Andrea
- Aug 1
- 6 min read
So, August is here. Time flies. It feels like it moves more slowly in winter. It's a strange time when we think that the weather should be warming up, but it's as cold as anything, frost and even flurries of sleet last week!.
The winter is still here, but if you look very closely, things are shifting, expanding as they have been since the equinox.
I'm sitting under a tree, and one of the trees with the seeds burst into big cotton wool balls (Silk Floss Tree). It's quite spectacular. It always reminded me that winter is nearly over, First Spring is here. I'm starting to renew. I'm warming like the earth under the surface.
It's time we can start to plant those seeds..physical ones if you are a gardener, or metaphorical and creative ones. Remembering seeds are small, sometimes looking insignificant, nothing like what they will grow to be, sometimes not germinating or growing at all, that is ok.
Maybe it isn’t always about starting fresh, but bringing awareness and gratitude to what we have. Each season is another opportunity to re-evaluate, dust off and enjoy our abundance before starting new.
Yesterday, it was so cold inside, and I couldn’t focus (South African houses are not designed for winter, and it is normally warmer outside than in!) So I went outside to warm in the winter sun. I took a little time to nurture some of my pot plants, de-heading dead leaves, seeing what needs repotting, etc, when I saw my poor neglected spider plants were fighting for space and pot-bound. Liberated them, I gave them a good shake out and room to breathe and stretch, cleared some space in the ground, and planted them right into the soil.
I took this as a lesson for this year, I don’t need to ‘start again’, I just need to nurture what I have, but this awareness takes space and stillness of winter to witness. Honouring the rest, the calmness and silence allow gratitude and joy to grow from what we already have and work out what is working (and what is not). Instead of setting intentions for all the things we want for the coming seasons/year, why not see what room, space to grow in what we are already working on or have? this can be in our health, work creative projects. I know I don’t need to reinvent the wheel every time (if you know me, then you know I make actual wheels!)
OR are there things we need to simplify, not take with us into the next chapter? What can we leave behind with winter?
Working cyclically and allowing the idea of cyclical living to permeate into all aspects of my life, I see it like there is always unfinished business and what we are doing is constantly polishing and re-evaluating just as the weather and seasons do to nature. We are always in the fluctuations of growth and expansion, whilst stripping back and contracting back. Each time learning something new, gaining an extra ring on our tree trunk, growing a little bit more…
Behind the Meaning - a pastoral context and history.
I use the term “First Spring” as a more accessible and locally resonant alternative to Imbolc, which comes from Northern Hemisphere and Celtic traditions.
While I honour the rich symbolism of Imbolc, I also recognise that many of us in the Southern Hemisphere or those without direct lineage to Celtic or European heritage may long for a way to connect with this seasonal threshold in a way that feels more grounded in our own landscape, rhythms, and experience.
Imbolc is a pastoral Celtic festival, (collected into the neo-pagan, Wheel of the Year), The name Imbolc derives from the old Irish word I mbol,g meaning ‘in the belly’- This refers to the pregnant ewes before the lambing season a time before spring, expectancy and pregnancy.In the Northern Hemisphere, it also evolved with Christanity and is today also celebrated on the 1st of February and is synomonous with St Brigid and often associated with the 'Feast of St Brigid’- Brigid (both saint and goddess) is associated with creativity, new beginnings, protection, and the return of the light, all core themes of Imbolc
How to Honour this Season Shift?
This is what I will be doing this weekend of First Spring. What about you?
Reflect on my Cyclical Nature
Taking time to reflect and engage with nature and the cycles of life. What are the transitions in my life like, are they smooth or jarring? Honouring these moments in nature can help us understand our own cyclical nature, our menstrual cycles, creative processes and our life journeys.
Gratitude for winter.
Using this weekend to journal and start to say farewell to the winter, sending it on its way with love and gratitude. I want to say thank you for the quieter times, the rest, the dormant energy stored. The warmth of the fires, the snuggly bed, the warming, nutritious food and comfort. not forgetting to say thanks for the warm Pretoria days and that glorious deep blue sky. Lastly, the ‘winter beach days of perfect temperature’
Light a candle or fire
Fire is a big aspect of marking the changing seasons (Remembering times before electricity to light our evenings). In pastoral times, bonfires would have been lit to mark these occasions. To continue to honour these transitions of seasons, you could simply light a candle and contemplate alone. I will be making a big fire and enjoying the company of family and friends
Which brings me to the next point..
Have a Family Meal
We also thank the fire or ‘hearth’ for keeping us warm and alive in winter. Sit around your fire or light a candle and have a hearty family meal. Bellys like the imbolc ewes but instead full of laughter and food.!
“Hearth and home, home and hearth,Welcoming close our family and friends.Home and hearth, hearth and home,The light returns as winter ends”(traditional verse)
Calling in the Spring
We dont have to do the rain dance yet (although my family does have a rather fun tradition of runninf round the house at first rain!)
But maybe visualise yourself in a space with a warmer sun, surrounded by light, buds growing, flowers starting to grow, and birds and animals full of activity. Maybe start to daydream new ideas and visions for the coming seasons. I will be visioning into my veggie patch.
Clean and Clear out
For me, clearing out is my part of my personality now; I do it and edit every month with my cycle, even if it is tidying just one drawer. The traditions of the spring clean are rooted here, letting go to make space, awaken creativity and new ideas, as well as making your home feel fresh. Take time to tidy and clean your home, even if it is just a corner or special space.
Go for a nature walk
Get outside, walk or get into the garden. Notice any signs of spring, any changing trees, bird activity, sights, smells, or a change in the air. Collects anything that you want to bring home. Things are always changing... What can you notice?
Set intentions
Just as we plant real seeds to grow, intentions are like seeds we plant in our hearts. What is your wish for the coming season? What do you want to step forward with? Also, what do you want to leave behind? maybe like my spider plants, which just need some more space to grow into their full potential
Create a space/ altar
Honouring the coming of spring by creating a space, altar or shelf. Maybe add something from nature, your candle, or just a vase of spring white flowers, A Brigid Cross.- something you associate with Spring. I really want to buy myself some rare daffodils to remind me of home.
Honour the feminine
This fits perfectly with August being women’s month and honouring Women’s Day next week. (9th August) Rested Woman (a Day Retreat)
The rising energy from now until the summer solstice will be strong and bright and full of excitement. We need the feminine to balance this rising energy to keep us balanced, grounded and nurtured. Simply tune in to your own needs and allow calm, grounding and stillness every day.
Southern Hemisphere
Northern Hemisphere
For more info about the wheel of the year and celebrating our cyclical and creative nature, keep posted for more exciting blogs and info coming soon. www.ovathemoon.co.za
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