13 Songs for Imbolc

We’ve all had too much snow. There is unrest in many parts of the world, notably Egypt. Though Spring is merely teasing us and has no intention of moving in to stay for a few more weeks, we can feel the sap rising, the trees buzzing and the energy sweeping us off of our feet. Personally I am finding the energy to be far more exuberant and optimistic than I can scrounge up within myself. I feel sluggish and unprepared for the Spring. I long to hibernate a few more weeks even when I can feel the wind whispering excitedly “She’s coming!”

So here are some tunes I feel embody this particular Imbolc. You’ll have to forgive me for this list being so girly. I feel strongly that there is some sort of feminine rebirth afoot. As if the Goddess Herself is being reborn all over…

13. Revolution by The Beatles

Imbolc is about initiation, breaking into activity and transformation. Maybe it’s no coincidence that revolutionary change is on people’s minds. John, Paul, George and Ringo sum up my feelings on the situation right here.

12. River by Joni Mitchell

The song references December but I think it fits the restless energy of February quite well. The long for change and warmth.

11. Sunny Came Home by Shawn Colvin

The lyrics may sound a bit sinister but I’ve always felt this song was about inner transformation and the purifying power of fire. Imbolc is a spiritual spring cleaning. It’s a time to re-kindle our inner fire.

10. Tiger by Paula Cole

I’ve always felt Paula Cole’s voice was shamanic and her music has influenced some of my most personal spiritual practices, the musical glossolalia in which I speak to my spiritual family between the worlds. This singer and this song embodies the inner fire of the season for me.

9. Strange Fire by Indigo Girls

I think, without even meaning to, the Indigo Girls became the voice of the raw fiery feminine spirituality that emerged in the 90’s. Along with Starhawk and Z. Budapest it seemed Emily and Amy were calling our souls to inhabit this wild feminine power that had remained dormant for so very long.

8. Brighids Kiss by Triniti

The Goddess Brighid became conflated with the abess of Kildare, and today Pagans venerate the Goddess and Saint almost interchangeably. Brighid’s sacred flame is now tended by nuns who tend the shrine of St. Bridget of Kildare. Regardless of tradition, the fire of women still burns.

7. And She Will Rise by Libana

The sacred reciprocity as the earth reaches out towards the waxing sun. “Even after all this time the sun never says to the earth, ‘You owe me.’ Look what happens with a love like that, it lights up the whole sky.” – Hafiz

6. I Hear You Calling by Chalice and Blade

Just as the sun calls to the earth, so our our souls being called back to life from the dreary winter.

5. Gabhain Molta Bhride

A traditional song for Brighid played on a harp.

4. Merlin Am I by Damh the Bard

Though I know the rest of this list is pretty girly, women aren’t the only ones experiencing the stirrings within.

3. A Knock At The Door by Duirwaigh.com

Not so much a song as it is a call to wonder. A beautiful visual meditation a friend shared with me.

2. Reaching by Dyonisis

This doesn’t feel as tight and polished as their new album but I adore this song. It embodies Imbolc very well. The incubatory season of winter is slipping away, and as we emrge into light and renewed conciousness we are called to reach out and mindfully become who we are meant to be.

1. Kecharitomene by Loreena McKennitt

Kore is returning and the earth is preparing her welcome with flowers and sweet warm breezes.