LIFE RENEWS ITSELF, THE LIGHT RETURNS

According to ancient Pagan tradition, the very first signs of spring are celebrated with a festival of light on February 1st and 2nd, marking the return of the sun and the lengthening of days.

During this festival, the fire goddess Brigid was invoked and welcomed back to the "upper world."

This celebration is called Imbolc, an Irish word meaning "in the belly," symbolizing the return to life, nature’s awakening, and the planting of “seeds” for plans in the coming year.

Imbolc: A Time for Renewal

Imbolc is a time of cleansing—both in our homes and in our minds. Windows are opened to let in fresh air and new thoughts. It’s a moment to reset, to make plans, and to take the first steps toward the work of the year ahead.

Another important celebration on the seasonal calendar is the Spring Equinox, occurring on March 20th or 21st.

For the ancient Germanic peoples, the Spring Festival marked the return of the goddess Ostara, a symbol of fertility, often represented by the egg. This tradition has survived in many cultures through Easter egg hunts, using boiled, painted, or chocolate eggs.

This festival reminds us of the importance of renewing life energy—known as prana or chi.

It is the time to reconnect with the land: sowing fields, planting gardens, or, for city dwellers, growing a mango seed on your windowsill.

On this day, the hours of light and darkness are perfectly balanced, making it an ideal time to reflect on the sustainability of life energy while engaging in work and renewal.

With Imbolc (February 1st/2nd), you celebrate the return of light and the fire queen Brigid, slowly emerging from winter’s slumber and breaking free from autopilot mode.

During the Spring Equinox (March 20th/21st), it is time to bring plans to life—just as in nature, where birds first build their nests before laying their eggs.

I’VE GOT SPRING FEVER – PART TWO

As the days grow longer, we begin to see more—not just the blossoming nature outside but also the dust that has gathered under the couch all winter.

The cabinet doors show oily fingerprints (a result of my morning routine—massaging coconut oil after dry brushing my whole body), the kids’ bedroom doors are smudged with apple syrup, there are marker stains on the dining table, black streaks on freshly painted walls—you name it.

Instead of the traditional spring cleaning, which used to take an entire weekend, I tackle a little bit every day.

I follow the "2-minute rule"—if I can clean, tidy, fix, replace, or recycle something within two minutes, I do it right away. This prevents small tasks from piling up and turning into overwhelming chores.

The same goes for laundry—if you spill something, treat the stain immediately! Waiting too long means using extra energy and resources, while an item pre-treated in time can simply be washed on an eco-cycle at a cold temperature.

And here’s an extra tip—only washing on cold (eco-program) isn’t great for your washing machine.

At least once a week (or every two weeks), run a 60°C cycle for underwear, socks, and towels, adding a splash of natural vinegar—especially for dark laundry.

Avoid industrial cleaning vinegar, as its synthetic acidity can be too harsh for some washing machines. Check your machine’s manual if you're unsure.

Using a splash of natural vinegar in your underwear/towel wash helps kill bacteria, makes fabrics extra soft, and keeps your washing machine’s drainage pipes clean. A blog about WASH BASICS – THE BEGINNING is coming soon.