On your calendar you may notice a list of needs corresponding to Imbolc season, and another set corresponding to Spring Equinox. These basically cover the Spring season (February, March and April).
I’d like offer a simple practice to work with your seasonal needs.
Step 1 - Settle into a comfortable space where you won’t be disturbed for at least 10-15 minutes.
For example, I usually like to engage all of my senses: (eyes) light a candle, (ears) put on some nice music, (smell) some essential oils, (taste) with warm cup of tea or hot chocolate and (touch) holding a special object (a little pebble, a favorite scarf, a memorable picture, anything works). If this is too much, then just sit quietly for a few minutes and observe your breath.
Step 2 - Using the calendar or the handout below, read through the Seasonal Needs (February for Imbolc needs of safety and self care; and March for Spring Equinox needs of self honor and respect). Read them slowly, one at a time and pause after each one and ask yourself: Is this need being met for me?
For example I might say ‘air’ - is my need for air being met? My answer is yes. (Your could be yes or no.)
Step 3 - If your answer is yes - mark it (for example, circle it); if your answer is no, or anything other than yes; if it’s a ‘sort of’, a ‘maybe’, a ‘kind of’, an ‘I don’t know’ - count all of those as a ‘no’ and mark it on the calendar sheet (for example, underline it)
Step 4. Take a look at your needs that are met. Read them again and offer a short but heartfelt gratitude.
For example, I might say: “Thank you, I’m really grateful that these needs… (list them here)… are met”
Step 5. Take a look at your unmet needs. Consider which one or two or three of them you would want to work with during this season. Create an intention to support those needs in the next three months specifically (but of course, beyond that too).
For example, I could say that my need for ‘predictability’ is not met very much. I would set an intention to aim to set a more direct schedule for my life every day and when something out of the ordinary comes up, I would first try to fit into my schedule before agreeing to do it in the moment. That’s just an example, your intent might be very different.
Step 6. Write out one (or two or three) of your intentions that support your unmet needs on the worksheet below. Once you are finished, read your intentions aloud to yourself and as your time allows return to them (and read them again) at least once per week for the next 3 months.
For example, my intention on the worksheet would read: “I want to easily find myself setting a direct schedule for my work every day and when unusual requests come up, I will try to fit them into my schedule as much as I can in a happy and health way.
Intentions over time can be truly magical. I wish you well in your seasonal practices.
Setting Intentions - Worksheet
Setting Intentions - Worksheet