Plant a Light Garden on Imbolc

List of items needed;
Dirt (or potting soil)
Lasagna (or cake) pan
Small slips of paper
Pens or Pencils
Birthday candles

At Imbolc, energy begins to return to the earth after long months of resting
and waiting. The light garden celebrates this feeling of potential in the
air and starts all of us thinking about our own potential to create and make
necessary changes. It reminds us of our own awe-inspiring ability (like the
Earth’s) to gestate new growth, abilities, and projects.

First, go outdoors and dig up some good rich dirt to fill a lasagna pan or
sheet-cake baking pan. (If you don’t have access to a yard, buy some
potting soil.) Then come back inside and sit in a circle with the
dirt-filled pan in the center. Take a few moments to think about what
particular ideas, projects, creative ventures, or changes you would like to
manifest in the coming months. Would you like to learn how to play a flute?
Be able to paint with oils? Is there a book inside you waiting to be
written? Or would you like to start your own neighborhood newspaper? Make
your own clothes? Run a mile? Learn how to drive? Ride a bike? Paddle a
canoe? Both adults and children will come up with lots of wonderful ideas.
Then have each person write a few words about each idea – or draw a picture
of it – on a small slip of paper. Do as many as you like.

Crumple the papers up into tiny pellets or seeds. Then, taking turns, plant
the seeds in the pan of earth. When all the seeds have been planted, each
person takes a small birthday candle and sets it into the dirt over the
spots where their seeds are buried. Place the pan on the altar where the
seeds (and candles) will lie waiting. After dark on Imbolc, light the
candles and feel their energy blessing your plans and hopes. You may save
the dirt and seeds to plant in your outdoor garden in spring.

From: “Celebrating The Great Mother” by Cait Johnson and Maura Shaw pg. 142