Snowdrop: The Aquarian Prophet
Hi Everyone
Well, January is finally over, which I’m sure is a relief to many of us! As the new month of February welcomes us, we reach a significant moment in the ceremonial calendar of the year: the festival of Imbolc, (meaning ‘ewe’s milk’), as the first stirrings of new life are felt inwardly. In the northern hemisphere, we start to really feel the return of the light, and there is a quickening in the natural world.
In the astrological calendar, we are approaching the mid-point (15˚) of the sign of Aquarius, which marks the true cross-quarter festival itself. Although the custom, of course, is to celebrate Imbolc today, the first of the month, the astrological moment actually occurs on 3rd February.
Even though it is still cold and icy, there is one plucky flower that always breaks through in our gardens ahead of all the others - the wondrous snowdrop, like a candle, lighting the way for what is to come, a beacon of hope for the future. A few years ago, I wrote this poem about the snowdrop that I like to share at this time. I hope you enjoy it:
Snowdrop
Sad-eyed candle flame
White robed innocent
What tender courage is this
To come forth now
In such a season
Bearing a torch
While others sleep on
Aquarian prophet
Herald of the coming dawn
Visionary
Awakener
You are the quickening of my heart
Made visible
A clarion call of hope
In a hushed winter garden
Gathered with your kind
In radiant community
Heads bowed in prayer
To the resting Mother
Snowdrop
You have stirred a force in Her soul
And in mine
You free the spirit
With the purity of your love
You are the first of Spring
Lead and we will follow
The moment
Our eyes adjust
To the light that you bring
John Wadsworth
—
Imbolc blessings to all!
John
