Circling the Sun

Honoring Imbolc and the Potency of Waiting

In the hush of late winter, when the snow still veils the earth and the days lengthen by mere breaths, we enter the ancient festival of Imbolc — the quickening beneath the frost, the whisper before the bloom. This is the season of gathering starlight — of calling our energy inward, deep into the belly, the womb, the dantien, where the spark of renewal quietly kindles.

Infusing oil with herbs is one of the oldest and most elemental ways to make medicine — a way of marrying plant and element, leaf and light. When herbs are steeped slowly in oil, their healing constituents are drawn into the fat, creating a rich, fragrant balm for the skin and tissues beneath.

For generations, women have turned to natural therapies to reconnect with their bodies and bring balance to their cycles. One such ancient remedy, castor oil packs, offers profound support for the womb—whether you’re actively menstruating, in the sacred window of postpartum recovery, or transitioning through perimenopause and menopause.

In our modern world, where menstrual pain and hormonal imbalances are often treated with numbing bandaids, the ancient art of Maya womb massage offers a profoundly restorative alternative. Rooted in the traditional healing practices of the Maya people of Central America, this abdominal therapy centers the womb—physically, emotionally, and energetically—as a sacred seat of feminine vitality.

As winter lingers and the earth holds her breath before spring’s awakening, our kidneys — the body’s deep reservoirs of vitality — call for care. In both Ayurvedic and Taoist traditions, the kidneys are the seat of our essential life force (ojas or jing), governing resilience, hormonal balance, and our ability to adapt to life’s fluctuations.

As the day comes to a close, this evening ritual offers a chance to restore your body and prepare for deep, rejuvenating sleep. Before beginning, complete any screen-related responsibilities and do your best to remain screen-free with low, calming lighting until breakfast the following morning. Your nervous system will thank you.

Rasa, Rakta and Arthava

As the sun crosses the celestial equator, we arrive at Mabon, the time of equal day and night — the great balancing point before the world tips into the dark half of the year. The air sharpens, the light softens, and the fields bow heavy with the gifts of summer’s labor.