Imbolc: When the Earth Begins to Stir

This year, I’ll be celebrating Imbolc for the first time, and it already feels quietly meaningful. Through The Witch’s Wheel class, I’ve been learning the deeper meaning of the Wheel of the Year—not just marking the holidays, but truly feeling into what each one represents.

Imbolc arrives when winter still has a firm grip, when the landscape can look unchanged and asleep. And yet, beneath the surface, something is happening. The earth is beginning to stir. Seeds are swelling in the dark. Light is slowly returning. Life is preparing itself, even if we can’t yet see the evidence.

That idea resonates deeply with me. Imbolc reminds us that transformation doesn’t always announce itself loudly. Sometimes growth is subtle, hidden, and patient. This season invites reflection, gentle intention-setting, and trust—trust that the work we are doing internally matters, even if the results aren’t visible yet.

As I incorporate these seasonal rhythms into my practice, I’m finding a sense of grounding and reassurance. Imbolc feels like a quiet promise: that warmth will return, that movement is underway, and that honoring small beginnings is a powerful act.

However you choose to mark this time—through candlelight, intention, rest, or reflection—may Imbolc remind you that change often starts long before it shows itself.