Passing the midpoint

Whether it is celebrated as Groundhog’s Day or Imbolc, the midpoint of winter passed earlier this week. Looking at the lingering winter landscape, one might doubt this, but even encased in ice, the branch reveals its latent buds.

Falling halfway between winter solstice and the spring equinox in the Northern hemisphere, Imbolc is a Celtic term for spring that may have spawned the current celebration of Groundhog’s Day, during which the furry mammal is observed for whether or not he sees his shadow upon emerging from his den. On February 2, he did, thereby indicating the likelihood of six more weeks of winter.

Meanwhile, take notice of the lengthening light, feel the rising energy of moving waters and breathe the deeply freshening air as the earliest seeds of spring are sown, almost without our awareness.