Imbolc

On Saturday 6th August, a group of Womben gathered together at Shambhala backpackers and retreat centre (Golden Bay, New Zealand) for a time of celebration and sharing. The occasion was Imbolc, traditionally a Wombans festival marking the first tentative signs of spring. Imbolc refers to the lactation of the animals, the life giving flow of milk following the barrenness of winter. Another meaning is ‘in the belly’, as the Earth is pregnant with new life on the verge of bursting through.

Goddess effigies, crystals, flowers and candles adorned our altar, each an offering that people had brought with them.

Craft making activities engaged us throughout the afternoon, as we made Goddess eyes (crosses woven with brightly coloured wool), and bay leaf headdresses. An effigy of Bride or Brigid, the seasons’ Celtic Goddess of healing, fire and the creative arts, was also made from natural materials. Our magic began to flow when we sang a multi part vocal harmony with a spring theme, composed by one of the group. Warm sun on the verandah, the table strewn with twigs and colourful wool, lilting voices praising the coming of the spring… heaven.

The time then came for a gathering on the lawn of several characters; the Crone (Old Womban of Winter) clad in long black cloak, a fire and a flower lady, and a faery resplendent in shimmering purple wings. Flowers were given and sage burned for purification as the procession began to wend their way down the path. The echoes of singing bowls, gongs and bells reached the grove in the woods where someone was hiding down by the stream…

The grove amongst the trees was reached, the ground strewn with petals, a small altar in the middle of the circle. The Crone began to walk slowly around the inside of the circle, holding aloft a silver chalice from the altar. She then slipped from view into the trees..

Bride, in flowing white robes, holding a willow wand and white chalice, stepped forward. She circled, pouring the first milk of the season onto the ground;

As flowers showered down upon her, Bride began to move with the circle as the Crone rejoined from the shadows.

The chant went on as everyone danced amongst the trees, eventually making their way up the path once again.

The shared feast was laid out on the deck, colourful lanterns and candles flickering in the gathering dusk.

A portion of each dish was taken as an offering to Bride, then the much awaited feasting could begin! Pumpkin soup, cous cous and lentil bake and were enjoyed. Luckily someone had made a fruit trifle, so we weren’t short of dessert.

As the evening wore on, we gathered round the fire, warmed by tea, cookies and tales of shared experiences everyone could relate to.

Next morning we awoke to the sound of rain drumming on the roof. This halted plans for morning activities of a walk down to the beach, and the planting of a sunflower seed in a pot, the idea being to visualize what people wished to make manifest in their lives as the days lengthened.

It was wonderful to experience the magic and creativity generated when we came together as Womben. The healing vibrations of our shared experience flowed out into the universe, honouring the Earth and ourselves; the sacred flow of life.

Environmental Educator Clair Fones, who has been in the Bay seven months, staged an all Womban’s seasonal celebration long known as ‘Imbolc,’ at Shambhala last weekend.

“Imbolc is the festival of early spring. The name Imbolc refers to the lactation of animals, the flow of milk that heralds the return of the life giving forces of spring,” said Clair.

“In the Northern Hemisphere this time is more evident because the life force is quite dormant during the winter, and then the first buds burst through; whereas in New Zealand, everything’s quite green all year round and these changes aren’t quite so noticeable. But it’s still an important celebration because warmth is increasing and we’ve seen a sudden burst of life in the soil,” said Clair.

“My vision for this festival was to create a sacred Womban’s space in which people could bring through their creative ideas. One way this happened was when local musician Tina Bridgeman tried out an idea for a four part vocal harmony with a spring theme. People were encouraged to put their own words to it and let their own creativity come out.”

Brenda Dundass, of Rangihaeata, participated in the event: “The singing was wonderful. I hadn’t done a woman’s event before. I would absolutely encourage people to go along to the next one, it was very warm, welcoming, sharing and bonding” she said.

The celebration began at noon Saturday and finished earlier than expected on Sunday morning due to rain.

“First we had a craft making space where we made bay leaf headdresses and woven Goddess eyes (which is a simple cross, interwoven with brightly coloured wool), then we made an effigy of Bridgid the Celtic Goddess of healing, fire and creative arts. Next there was a procession of costumed ladies (including a fairy, a fire lady and a Crone) down to a grove in the wood. The Crone or Old Womban of Winter journeyed to the miraculous stream of youth, from which she drank, being reborn as Brigdid, the fair maiden of spring. Bridgid’s wand turned the bare earth green again, breathing life into the mouth of winter.” The celebration finished off with a shared feast, a fire, and a sleep over.

Clair said that one particularly significant part of the ritual was the “offering of the first milk of the season onto the Earth as a symbol of giving back to the Earth what she has given to us”.

She said she was happy with the event, and that she intended to be involved in future seasonal celebrations in Golden Bay.

“I was very pleased with how it turned out, I think we all created a beautiful sacred space in which to honour the changing of the seasons and ourselves.”

By Charlotte Squire

Note: 'Womban' is an idea for a new spelling of Woman, celebrating our sacred wombs.