As Venus separates from Neptune in Pisces, we move into the first day of spring in the Pagan calendar. Imbolc, occurring on the 3rd of February at 14.11 GMT, marks the astrological point at 15° Aquarius.
Pronounced Immolc, Imbolc is the festival of the Goddess. Having purified and cleansed after the birth of her child at the Winter Solstice, she emerges once more as The Maiden.
The colour associated with this festival is white. For some of you, snow may still be on the ground, or at least frosty mornings may greet you. Still, new signs of life emerge from the dark, cold soil: as the white flower heads of Galanthus nivalis, the bright shoots of narcissus and daffodils, and the trees and shrubs start to “green” as new buds form.
As we consider the act of purification and newness at this time, find white clothes or cloth to wrap around you. This astrological Imbolc falls on the planetary day of the Moon, and white is her colour, adding to the strength of the symbolism. Choose a white candle to light just as the sun sets on February 3rd to welcome back the Goddess anew.
In the Western world, the colour white is a sign of purity and virginity, as are the bride's clothes on her wedding day. Whiteness is also the nourishing milk of a mother to a child, and milk is part of the celebrations and symbolism during this festival. But other cultures see white as a shroud for the dead.
It has to be noted that whitewashing happens, and the beauty of other cultures and beliefs can and has been removed by history and the victors.
The colour white also speaks to the refinery; consider a person who is impeccably dressed and moves with ease or a perfectly iced cake. The outer beauty is undoubtedly there, but is there substance beneath?
Sugar wheat and other grain products have also become refined to a white substance. Sugar is one of the world's most significant health issues, and if we think about the whiteness of our teeth, too much of the product contributes to decay.
The last few weeks of January have been boisterous, with much energy spent on debate and politics worldwide. The Aquarian mindset can be stubborn and fixed, but with the Venusian and Neptune combination and the True North Node in Pisces, there is some gentle energy to provide a brief balm.
If you have been unwell or had a recent setback, maybe a warm, soothing bath, with sea salt and some white candles surrounding you, as you mindfully wash your body and symbolically clear your mind, can help you to prepare for the new season ahead.
The Imbolc chart shows the Arien Moon on the path of action, heralding Venus's entrance into Aries on the 4th.
I think of Joan of Arc, the archetype of the warrior maiden in the air, Venus’ future retrograde back into Pisces as a symbol of martyrdom, maybe? The rights of many are certainly being challenged, not just women but folk who are left behind in society in general. There may be a kickback to all the whitewashing!
Venus will return to lovingly caress Neptune once more when she returns to her exultation sign on the 28th of March, requesting one last triste with the God of the magical waves just before he gets hot and steamy in Aries on the 30th of March. Venus in 2026 does not quite reach Pisces in time to join Neptune as he completes his Piscean trip, so these are the last times to enjoy their joint energy.
In our modern era, we set intentions for new resolutions on New Year's Eve, January 1st. But I always enjoy the small things in January. With leftover food and drink after the Solstice celebrations, and with January as such a long, dark month, why make things more complicated by denying yourself the simple pleasure of a well-earned treat?
By choosing Imbolc, the fixed energy of Aquarius is in balance as the Sun reaches the middle point of the sign at 15°. Intentions set are more likely to take root and become routine; remember to plant wisely!
Sweet Violet
Viola odorata, Sweet Violet, is our focus plant this Imbolc. In a previous home, in my garden, I had planted one set of violets. Over the years, I noticed that the small local green spaces in our shared parking area had a slight covering of purple each February that slowly spread. I know no one else in the area had planted them. The local wildlife enjoyed the scent as much as I did and assisted in the naturalisation of the plant.
Though the flower is most commonly, as its name suggests, violet in colour, it can also be found in white and cream. Many subspecies exist in the Violacea family, but none are as sweet! The plant has Venusian elements in every part of its makeup, from its five petals to the dark green heart-shaped leaves.
It can get a little invasive if left to roam free, and as the flowers are fleeting in the late winter garden, you may not want a blanket of low-growing leaves to take up precious space in your garden. Still, I kept the patch small and had other spring bulbs pop up around and through the area to keep the interest going. However, as our woodland and shady spaces are continuously dug up and built on, allowing a few stray plants to wind through your garden supports the pollinators that rely on early flowing plants for sustenance.
If you love the scent of Violet, as I do, walking through your garden and receiving a sudden hint of the plants' scent is an absolute joy. The scent is delicate yet intoxicating, as the beta-ionone briefly seduces your scent receptors so that for a few moments, you only acknowledge the presence of the Violet; how very Venusian.
Violets have long been used as sweet treats. They are edible and can be candied or used to adorn cakes and drinks. The scent has also been used in perfumery and as a deodorant.
Hildegard of Bingen recommends their use for many maladies—as a salve to clear the eyes (around, not in!) and for headaches and fevers. As described in her work Physica:
“If someone has pain in his head, if crabs are eating his flesh, or if he has any kind of ulcer on his body, he should take juice of the violet and a third as much olive oil and goat tallow (the same amount as the violet juice). He should boil these in a new pot and prepare an unguent. One whose head has pain should rub it across his forehead, and he will be better. Crabs or other vermin which eat a person will die upon tasting this, smeared over the afflicted places.” - trans. Throop, Priscilla; ISBN 978-0892816613
Hildegard also suggests the plant is one way to tackle the spiritual malady of depression, something that many endure over the winter months.
“Anyone who is weighed down by melancholy and anger, which cause damage to the lungs, should cook violets in wine, strain the liquid through a cloth, and add as much galangal And liquorice as desired. Reheat the wine, clarify the beverage, and drink it. It will suppress melancholy, cheer the spirit, and heal the lungs.”
Use 1 and a half teaspoons of Violet leaves and flowers, 1 litre of wine, 2 teaspoons of liquorice, and 1 teaspoon of galangal.“Boil the Violet leaves and flowers in the wine. Remove from heat, then add the licorice and the galangal. Let stand overnight, then bring to a boil again and strain. Drink half a cup a day for four to six weeks.
Take a break from the treatment and possibly re-initiated until a distinct positive mood alteration occurs: when the Violet Alexa does not taste good anymore, it is a sure indication of the revival of the spirit of life.” -Hildegard of Bingen’s Spiritual Remedies – Dr Wighard Stehlow ISBN9780892819850
In art, the humble violet has been painted, drawn, and benefited from copious poetry written. By the 19th Century, the Victorian language of flowers, floriography, had violets set as a gift for Valentine's Day, as a symbol of faithfulness and modesty. Many cards of that era show the humble violet as the flower of the moment.
If you are looking for the perfect, romantic offering, consider planting a pot of sweet violets in the garden and watch each year as they lovingly bless your late winter with the gift of their presence.
Enjoy!
Saffron Dennis is an astrologer, crystal therapist and tarot reader based in the East Anglia region of the UK. You can book her for a reading or as a speaker at your local or online event at divinebaytree.com
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Thank you @Shawna :-)
Violet is a shade of purple to me. I sink into these favorite colors. They're not blue and not pink. I have a small pot of violets in the kitchen window. Thanks for giving them a dose of ancient symbolism Saffron ;-)