It's Imbloc!

Candelaria in Mexico.

Happy Imbolc! 

February 2nd is a cross-quarter day, halfway between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox.  It’s no co-incidence that today is not only Groundhog’s Day, but Candlemas, celebrating the presentation of the (Yuletide) Baby Jesus at the Temple.   

Cross-quarter days are a big deal among the pagans, being more in sync with the agricultural cycle (May Day and Halloween).  After Imbolc, the days start to lengthen noticeably and with increasing acceleration.  It’s an optimistic time, of planting and preparing for the growing season. 

California isn’t really on this cycle, but this year it’s a fitting holiday, with the onset of the first real rains and cool, cloudy days.  Over the last six weeks (since Yule, co-incidentally) we’ve been holed up, due to both the Governor’s stay-at-home order and the threat to democracy.  These threats are in abeyance for now, with the prospect of control over one of them, at least, in the next few months.  

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Tiny Jepsonia parryi flowers quickly after rain.  A harbinger of the winter native planting season.  

​Now it’s time to look beyond the weight we’ve labored under for ten months (or five years).  It’s time to do something positive for yourself, and maybe for the earth.  Could it be time to start a garden that will nourish your soul and nurture the earth?  If it is, send me an email or give me a call and let’s make a native plant garden!