Pictured: Interesting fungus growing on the Tulip Tree stump!
| Imbolc season is upon us! The winter has been mild so far. May the weather not give us ice storms and may we all stay safe in this unpredictable time of the year (and look for the first signs of Spring)! Enjoy! Amy PS. There’s a sticker sale happening! | Table of Contents: ~ Woods Walk – the energy of the early winter forest slumbers… ~ ~ What is Imbolc? ~ ~ Imbolc Magic – Decks & Reading ~ ~ The Fairy Ring Highlights – Valentine’s Sweetheart Sale & More Products?? ~ ~ Thank You! ~ |
~ Woods Walk – the energy of the early winter forest slumbers… ~
Trail-Cam and Other Videos…
The bobcat is back! Just a quick blip, but Christmas morning no less! Our creek log camera gets the best videos!
We had a large flock of Bushtits visit our honeysuckle bush too! Such cute little birds.
The Forest’s Hidden Art
The old Tulip Tree stump has some cool fungus and, perhaps slime mold. Wicked cool!
~ What is Imbolc? ~
If you go online you can see a plethora of sites describing Imbolc. I will gloss over some of these descriptions, but in truth I see it a little differently somewhat. I don’t see it merely as a single day but more of a season stretching from early February (Feb 3rd being the scientific midpoint between winter solstice and spring equinox) through the evening of March 19th. I look at the Solar times much like the moon phases. Winter Solstice is the “New Moon” equivalent, making Imbolc the “Waxing Crescent Moon” equivalent before the Spring Equinox “First Quarter Moon” equivalent.
During this time the earth starts stirring. Some trees, shrubs and flowers start blooming. Some seeds can be planted. Lambs are born and running around with their mothers (see our Hollow Hills Ranch Imbolc blog post!). It’s a season of excitement building as days continue to lengthen and dreams of warmer weather start to take over our waking thoughts. Taking walks in nature we see signs of spring everywhere while we remain bundled up against the cold.
The ancient Celtic peoples believed Imbolc to be the true start of Spring because the stirrings were noticeable. There’s scholars that believe the word Imbolc may even have been referring to ewe’s milk since these peoples were reliant on both the land and their livestock for sustenance. For us it makes sense since our lambs are typically born the month leading up to Imbolc.
Whatever you believe, celebrate this time as the Waxing of the sunlight and the busy time of Spring is at your doorstep! If you want to see our farm and gardening guides, head on over to Hollow Hills Ranch!
~ Imbolc Magic – Decks & Reading ~
The Decks for the Imbolc to Spring Equinox season!
I like to break up my rather large collection of Oracle decks into seasonal collections. These change year to year (sometimes season to season) as I find new gems to add to my collection or I decide to let others head off to greener pastures with new owners. All of my Oracle decks I pair with a Tarot deck to do readings throughout the season. Most of these readings are for the main moon phases (full, new, 1st & 3rd quarter) and can be found on my Instagram or Facebook pages. As you’ll see below, I also do readings for the solar dates as well and post these both in social media and the blog.
Most of these decks for Imbolc through the night before the Spring Equinox are light on any flowers since the season is also light on flowers. There’s ocean, landscape, mermaid, dragon & lightworker decks primarily, and one of these will be the main source of the reading following this gallery!
Onto the Seasonal Crystals & Reading!
Imbolc Crystals:
Center – Carnelian for fertility & protection.
Inner circle – Pyrite for dreams & inspiration, Red Garnet for scholarship & learning.
Middle circle – Citrine for cleansing & harmony in the home, Azurite in Green Moonstone for emotional balance & intuitive wisdom.
Outer circle – Orange Calcite for creativity & energy, Golden Tiger’s Eye for grounding & mental clarity.
Waning Gibbous Moon Crystals:
Aquamarine helps unexpected blessings wash up on your shore. Black Obsidian helps you create boundaries where they are needed. Adularia reminds you to turn inward for inner reflection. Lapis Lazuli for support or help understanding what is, or is not, being sent to you from the universe.
Now that the crystal grid is in place and the moon crystals have added their energy, here is the reading…
Imbolc Card:
The Spark – Imbolc – Open yourself to the spark of inspiration when it comes. You may feel unmotivated or blocked from new ideas. Listen to the song of the land, nurture the spark, and you will be inspired.
The Gently Waxing Sun Card:
6 of Air – solutions, comparisons, compromise, mindfulness, illumination, epiphany. Now is a good time to contemplate and compare a range of different options in order to discover the best solution for one and all. When the mind opens and at once understands the extent of the power we have over our lives, suddenly, you see potential in everything. Choose to take responsibility for your thoughts, beliefs, and actions, understanding that even by taking a passive or inactive role by doing nothing or by allowing others to make decisions on your behalf, you are making a choice. Avoid the us versus them mentality and don’t judge others.
The Waning Gibbous Moon Card:
Learn – Every moment is an opportunity to learn and grow. Embrace this journey and allow yourself to learn and grow, for it is through this process that you can awaken to the truth of your interconnectedness and the infinite potential within you.
Summary:
Today is Imbolc. It’s the time to feel that spark of inspiration and act on it. The sun is gently getting stronger (waxing). Open your mind and see the potential everywhere! Avoid the temptation to judge others, creating the ‘us versus them’ mentality. The Waning Gibbous Moon is the time to reflect on what you’ve just manifested into your life. Take every moment as an opportunity to learn and grow. The manifestation process was a learning moment. You have infinite potential to manifest your goals into being! Be inspired!
Crystal meanings inspired by Cosmic Crystals by Ashley Leavy (and other Ashley Leavy products). Card images from Old Ways Magick Oracle by Naomi Cornock, Dracones Loqui and Dreams of Gaia Tarot by Ravynne Phelan.
~ The Fairy Ring Highlights – Valentine’s Sweetheart Sale & More Products?? ~
Valentine’s Sweetheart Sale!
We’re running our Valentine’s Sweetheart Sale through February 16th, 2026 where you get 20% off your entire order of stickers! Enter the code LOVE at checkout!
I put together a smattering of stickers to highlight the Imbolc season from our Square site, The Fairy Ring! Head on over to browse ALL our stickers, and remember, orders of $20 or more get a FREE RANDOM STICKER, and, all orders get FREE SHIPPING! This is ON TOP of the Valentine’s Sweetheart Sale!! Can’t beat that!
Beaver Tail you say??
Shane and I have been discussing what else we should sell if we do end up doing booths at various events. He is working with his walking stick craft and experimenting with some new ideas. Another thought he had was his herb processing trays called the Beaver Tail (based on it’s shape). He made this one, out of Walnut, back in May 2025 as an example of what we’re considering. What do you think?
~ Thank You! ~
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See you all again in mid-March for our Spring Equinox Musings, where we’ll celebrate the forest finally waking up!
The Fairy Ring 
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