From "empowered" to powerful 🔥
Each month I begin my inbox transmissions with an “alchemical attunement”, aimed to inspire a shift in perspective. May we see all our challenges as GOLD, so that we can expand into our highest potential on the wings of gratitude for all that we’ve been through thus far.
Blessed Imbolc, beloved!
Today is February 1st, also known as Imbolc or Saint Brigid’s Day in Gaelic tradition. The roots of this ancient festival celebrate and welcome the earliest inklings of Springtime.
To be specific, today marks the halfway point between winter solstice and the spring equinox… which is certainly cause for celebration!
"Imbolc" is a Gaelic word which translates to "in the belly of the Mother," because at this time the seeds of spring are stirring in the belly of Mother Earth. In addition, the term "oimelc" means ewe's milk— at this time of year, many herd animals give birth to their first offspring of the year, or are heavily pregnant.
The goddess Brigid (my namesake!) is central figure of the festival which was adapted by Christianity, with worship focused on Saint Brigid, a woman who purportedly lived in the 8th century. If you’re not acquainted with the original goddess, allow me to introduce you…
Brigid is considered one of the most powerful Celtic deities, and it’s told that she was born with a flame rising from her head, drinking the milk of a mystical cow from the spirit realm. She is credited with the first keen, a traditional form of wailing for the dead practiced by Irish and Scottish women, and which has resurfaced in Western culture today along with the various forms of grief ritual and ancestral reclaiming.
Now, let’s break down a few of these symbols in relation to the theme of power:
The belly of the mother: what is more powerful than the process of giving birth, and the process of life itself?
The element of fire: often thought of as the most powerful element, which brings light and warmth and transformed humankind’s ability to survive, but which also can cause unprecedented destruction
Milk: the original life-giving nectar produced naturally by the body of the mother to nurture and nourish her offspring. No wonder the dairy industry capitalized on the phrase “does a body good.”
The sun: nothing on earth would survive without it, which makes it pretty damn powerful.
The goddess Brigid is the bringer of light, who gently nudges us forth from the depths of winter back toward the radiance of the sun. Suffice to say, her arsenal of symbolism is nothing short of POWERFUL.
Which brings me to today’s contemplation.
I’m taking a stand to reclaim the word “power”, and use the word “empowered” more sporadically and with more intention.
If you’ve never pondered the difference, here’s what I notice when I compare the two…
🔥To be empowered requires an external force to bestow or grant power upon us— or at least to assist us step into our own power. Isn’t this, in and of itself, a bit disempowering?
🔥”Empowerment” has become a buzzword used often by the wellness community and, while it certainly has virtuous intent, can quickly fall into a whirlpool of false positivity and spiritual bypass.
🔥We’ve clearly grown weary and suspicious of “power” due to the sad but obvious fact that many (most?) people in positions of power abuse it. This abuse of power leaves us with the impression that power is not to be trusted, and is only ever expressed through power-over, hierarchical structures.
🔥Even spiritual teachers and wise sages across space and time have been crushed under the weight of power, and succumbed to the lower frequencies of abuse and power-over. Think: most gurus you’ve ever heard of.
As we move back toward the light, paying homage to Brigid and all that she stands for, what would it look like, what would it feel like, to bring your own power fully online?
What does it mean to be a powerful creator?
A powerful leader?
A powerful listener?
This month, I invite you to contemplate for yourself where you choose “empowerment” over being straight up POWERFUL… and to ask yourself some honest questions about what being in your full power actually entails in different areas of your life.
Here’s some steps forward, should you choose to take them.
🔥 Alchemical Prompts
Where do I feel empowered in my life and work right now?
Where do I feel disempowered?
What feelings, judgements or assumptions arise as I imagine stepping into my full power?
🔥 Alchemical Action
Name 3 people you see embodying power in an ethical, virtuous way. These could be people you know personally, or not.
ID one quality in each of them that you can recognize on some level in yourself.
Take one action today that adds fuel to the fire of that quality in yourself.
🔥 Alchemical Mantra
I stand unapologetically in my personal power, and I love being powerful, peaceful and prosperous.
May the first rays of springtime sunshine grace your face today or sometime soon, dear one.
Here on the shores of the Salish Sea in Washington state, it definitely still feels like winter. But even as the rains continue, I sense the seasonal changes coming…
Let us bless the wintering as long as it needs to continue, and praise the slow burn of awakening happening inside our hearts and bodies.
Powerfully yours,