At the beginning of February, when much of the north appears frozen and lifeless, there are stirrings below the surface and in the sky. The light is returning; today there is nearly an hour more daylight than there was at the Winter Solstice.
Mid-January through mid-February is when the Great Horned Owls begin breeding and nesting. While many who live in the northern climates look out at the wintry landscape – and wait for spring – the owls are already beginning their nesting year.
(Don’t forget to hover* …)
The mother Great Horned Owl will sit on her eggs for about a month. The newly born owlets will stay in the nest for about 6 weeks (until around the Spring Equinox), then move to nearby branches where they start the serious business of learning how to fly. By Summer Solstice, they will be competent flyers and will learn to hunt and fend for themselves although they often stay with their parents until fall.
The pagan holiday of Imbolc is celebrated between January 30th and February 2nd. This cross-quarter marks the mid-point between Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox and with it comes the promise of the light and more: the stirrings of life that remind us of the cycle of the earth.
We should start preparing ourselves for spring physically and mentally. Life will get busier and this may be one of our last chances to contemplate what we want for the new cycle. Goals for personal growth, new beginnings, dreams for the future and connections to one another.
To all my pagan friends, Blessed Imbolc! And to everyone, may the light find you and bring you the warmth of the early spring and the promise of new beginnings.
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This post is a rerun, with revised dates, because the holidays – and their celebratory posts – are on an infinite loop … or more precisely, the Wheel of The Year. ;)
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*Hover text for those on tablets and smartphones:
– Nesting Mother: “Owl take that cup of coffee now.”
– “I’m not cold … I’m not cold … I’m not cold”
– “Breakfast? I’ll have my eggs hover easy”
– “Don’t laugh! It’s quite warm under all this fuzz.”
– “Mommmm!! He touched me!!!!”
– “‘I rejoice that there are owls…. They represent the stark twilight and unsatisfied thoughts which all have. ‘ ~ Henry David Thoreau”
– “‘Less flapping, more flying!’ ~ Silvia Hartmann”
– “‘You wanna fly, you got to give up the sh-t that weighs you down.’ ~ Toni Morrison”
Blessed Imbolc! May the light find you and bring you the warmth of the early spring and the promise of new beginnings.
Owl have to do some research on the spring stirrings in the Desert Southwest so that I can present critterings that match my new abode! It is warming up and hibernation will be ending for the creatures who have been quiet through the winter. The birds are singing and have been for several weeks. We do have owls here and the mating and nesting seasons are no different than the seasons for their northern cousins. This photo looks a lot like the one at the top of the post – just less snowy.
Looks as if they’re “owl in,” Jan!
Ironic to see this when we’re having an ice storm. I’m watching the news, and want to run out an put a hat on the poor reporter who is outside in this madness.
Happy Imbolc to all who celebrate it. Happy Spring to everybody. There are even a few streaks of pale blue in the sky this morning. LOL. Reminders and promises of the planting and the growing already in train.
Thanks for the adorable post, Jan! Yes, the light is lasting longer, and last night I saw the dress rehearsal of the Full Moon! Yay! Hope it will be clear tonight.