Good Imbolc and Happy Year of the Tiger - Who Will Guard and Rule Your Castle?

Good Inbolc and Happy Year of the Tiger. We're moving ever closer to Spring, and I couldn't be happier about that. There's still a lot of snow still to come - sometimes March is our snowiest month - but I get hopeful when Imbolc begins because we're one full step removed from the Winter Solstice, the days are absolutely getting longer, and hope is perching on the hearth instead of hiding in the deepest woods. 

There are many ways to celebrate Inbolc. Take a look at 
a few of them here. I think I'll add some cinnamon to my 
morning tea. That should be delightful. 

What is it about those deepest woods? It's a central part to "fairy tales" that many of us grew up with. The woods that Hansel and Gretel were abandoned in. The woods that wood-choppers made their living within - a career choice that doesn't have a lot of call these days. The woods where our deepest fears lived and where "The Wild Things" lived. What became of those woods? 

Happy Year of the Tiger to all of you. Tigers are extra 
smart this year (the stars are aligned), but the year may 
bring unexpected ups and downs. Stay conservative and 
increase your charitable work. Because of an unfortunate 
alignment, there is also a higher chance of injury, 
quarrel or legal trouble this year. There will be 
obstacles and setbacks, but the outcome will be 
positive in the end. 

They still exist - in the far corners of your mind. It's deep in those mental woods that your deepest fears have found their home. There are caves where they can hide, large trees where they can perch, and cobwebbed dells where you fear to tread with good reason. In those depths of the mind, Shelob still lives and danger lurks around every corner. 

Without darkness we couldn't appreciate the light. Without 
the dark shards of the mind, we couldn't dream and 
soar in the night. Embrace that dark, but understand it 
has no lasting power over the light. It is only the other 
side of the light and the two must always remain in 
balance with each other. 

It's that deep sense of instability that drives mankind to join with others and create various villages, towns and cities. In numbers there is safety - at least sometimes. Of course, those who have malice on their minds move right along with the flow and set up their own domiciles in the towns and cities. Sometimes they even come to power in them, putting all people at risk by their actions. 

Small villages led to bigger ones. Bigger ones led to 
larger and more imposing buildings and a larger and 
more complicated governmental structure. I'm not 
sure it was a great idea, but we outgrew our 
small villages a long time ago, and the "ruler" or 
"ruling body" have been given powers - good and bad - 
that maybe were unanticipated in those early days. 

As we move toward true Spring, it's certainly something to think about. What thoughts are you allowing into your mental village? Are you culling out the riff-raff and keeping them outside your castle walls? Are you electing good people to guide your actions? Or are you sitting in your small room, looking out of a dirty window pane with fear that you'll be noticed? Remember - it's YOUR village, so allow those entry who will support your efforts and help you with success. Have an excellent Inbolc, enjoy the beginning of the Year of the Tiger, and I'll return tomorrow, I'm off to the swimming pool.