Imbolc: The Quiet Turning Toward the Light
There is a moment in the breath cycle where all the air has left the body. The exhale is complete. There is nothing to force, nothing to do—only stillness. It is the quietest point in the breath, the moment between what has passed and what is about to arrive. In the depths of winter, this is where we are. And just as naturally as the inhale will come, so too does Imbolc, the first whisper of spring, the gentle invitation back toward life.
Imbolc, traditionally celebrated on 1st–2nd February, is the Celtic festival of midwinter’s end. It is the seed cracking in the dark earth, the first stirring beneath the frozen ground, the moment before the inhale, when life is poised to return. It is a time of awakening, but a tender one—life does not rush forward in a great leap, but emerges gradually, feeling its way toward the light.
For mothers, this seasonal shift is deeply resonant. Motherhood itself is cyclical, a continuous unfolding of beginnings and endings. There are times when we feel depleted, emptied out, with nothing left to give—much like that final moment of the exhale. And yet, just as nature moves effortlessly toward renewal, so too does our energy, our creativity, our sense of self. Imbolc reminds us that even in the quietest moments, transformation is already underway.
The Breath, the Seasons, and Yoga Nidra
Yoga Nidra, the practice of deep rest and inner awareness, mirrors this liminal space. In the stillness of Nidra, we dwell in the fertile darkness where transformation brews. It is the pause before the inhale, the place where clarity arises not from effort but from surrender. In this way, Nidra aligns beautifully with the energy of Imbolc—holding space for the possibility of new beginnings without rushing toward them, allowing the wisdom of the cycle to unfold in its own time.
As we move through this seasonal shift, we can ask ourselves:
What is beginning to stir within me?
What part of me is ready to inhale, to receive, to expand again?
What has completed its cycle, and what am I ready to release as I step forward?
This is the time when our real new year begins—not in the depths of winter, when energy is at its lowest, but now, as the light subtly grows stronger each day. Now is when we begin to feel intuitively aligned with setting intentions, embracing possibility, and allowing ourselves to move with the momentum of the season.
Imbolc as a Moment of Transformation for Mothers
For mothers, Imbolc is an invitation to trust that even in the most depleted moments, renewal will come. It is an encouragement to honour the whispers of inspiration that arise, to nurture the small stirrings of new dreams, to allow space for growth without pressure.
This is the time to reconnect with what is calling you forward. The moment where, after months of giving, of being in the deep exhale of winter, you allow yourself to receive again. To breathe in new life. To embrace the transformation already in motion.
As you step into this threshold between winter and spring, may you honour the pause, trust the inhale, and allow yourself to emerge—rooted, nourished, and ready for what is to come.
An Invitation to Deepen Your Practice
If this moment of seasonal transition speaks to you, I invite you to step into deeper alignment with your own rhythms through my membership, which holds everything in my Wellness Library—breathwork practices, a collection of Yoga Nidra audios, and our weekly co-created Yoga Nidra gatherings online. Soon, I’ll also be adding Yin Yoga practices, which beautifully complement the restoration and nourishment that Yoga Nidra and breathwork offer.
February is the last month to join at the current rate of £12/month—after this, the price will rise to £16. This is the perfect time to honour your need for deep rest, renewal, and inner nourishment as we move into the lighter half of the year. If you’ve been feeling the call to tend to yourself in a way that aligns with the natural cycles of life, now is the time to join.
Fill in your details below to receive your personal invitation to join. Let’s move into this new season together, with intention, presence, and a deep trust in the cycles of renewal.