Imbolc & Your Creative Spark

We have just moved past the cross quarter point on the year’s wheel, known as Imbolc, and also known as Candlemas.  This is the perfect time of year to bring to life your creative spark.  How has it been for you this winter?  Did you use the dark of the nearby passing season to inwardly reflect, and find those nuggets of wisdom and gems of self-realization that tend to bury themselves and hibernate?

Now is time to take note of the increasing light of each passing day, and begin to call forth the seeds that were planted over the winter months, and that are now germinating.  Feel the life of these seeds stirring, and beginning to crack open and release their gifts, reaching with longing and grace toward the sun.

Imbolc translates to “in the belly”.  Feel your dreams and visions awaken your creative spark from deep within your being, and extend gratitude towards them, and toward the energies of Spirit that have assisted with the incubation of these dreams.

Tune deeply now into your intuition, into your ‘gut feelings’, into those sparks of life and information that reside in your belly.  Try to get a sense for any new ideas and projects that are prepared to spark, and send to them the love of your presence and conscious awareness.

Breathe life into them, communicate with them, and ask them in which way they wish to work with you for the highest good of yourself, your family, your community, and the world community.

How can they best be served by you sending love and intention to them, and how can you co-create with these sparks of life and creativity in order to bring them to light and into their fullest, divine potential?  Here is pictured an image of Brighid, the Celtic Fire Goddess of renewal, healing, purification and creativity.

Finding Your Creative Spark:

Don’t you love it when your creativity manifests itself?  Creativity brings us benefits that go far beyond artistic expression.  Even if you don’t think of yourself as an especially creative person, you’ll be glad to know that it’s there within you just waiting for you to use it!

Creativity can be expressed in many different ways. Plus, there are many techniques you can use to develop and nurture your natural creativity.

Like many people, you may think that you’re either creative or you’re not. What a myth! If you long to be more creative, then go for it!

Here are ten tips you can use to bring your creative spark to life:

• Think of yourself as creative. We all have the spark of creativity inside us; it’s just a matter of fanning that flame to keep it alive, as well as knowing where your particular brand of creativity is best applied.  The first step is to know that you’re creative. Think positively about this and work to see your creative side whenever possible.

• Think creatively.  If there are two solutions to a problem, try them both. Try out your new ideas, even if they seem a little outlandish at first. These fresh, outside the box, perspectives can lead to huge breakthroughs.  Telling yourself that you’re creative is only the beginning; try to think creatively whenever possible.

• Put your new ideas into action. Don’t worry what other people will think. By trying out your creative ideas, even if you don’t succeed at first, you’ll learn something and give your creativity a chance to flourish.
  Don’t be afraid to try new things.

• Try not to over-think things; just go ahead and do it!  Rather than thinking of all the reasons NOT to do something, think positively and take a risk.  If you have always wanted to try writing or painting, just get it on paper (or canvas, as the case may be) immediately.
  Allow your creative impulses run wild.

• Be inspired!  Pay a visit to a museum, take in a play, try going somewhere you’ve never been or seeing something you’ve never seen.
  Remind yourself of all of those things that you have told yourself you would love to do or see… someday.  Find a way to make those things happen.  This will inevitably spark your inspiration… and  Inspiration sparks creativity.

• Make time for your creative outlets.  We’re all busy these days.  Be sure to schedule some time for your creative pursuits.  Put yourself in front of your instrument, your computer, or whatever your medium may be for a few hours each week and let your creativity flow forth.  Have you heard of The Artist’s Way, by Julia CameronThe Artist’s Way, by Julia Cameron?  This is an incredible body of work that I have returned to time and time again.  It is a beautifully laid out process for keeping your creative juices flowing.

• Remember to enjoy yourself.  Make your creative endeavors a joy, not a chore.  If anything you are practicing or working on ceases to be a joy, take a step back and re-assess what is occurring for you internally before carrying on.  This will ensure the continued flow of creative energies.

• Play creative games.  This is a fun way to foster creativity!  Get together with friends and play creative group games where success hinges on being expressive and coming up with creative ways to communicate.

• Try a new creative medium. If you have chosen a creative medium, try mixing it up when you get into a rut. If you write, try playing music. If you’re a dancer, try painting – you get the idea.  Shake things up to get some new ideas and perspectives.

• Take a break!  If you’re stuck for ideas, don’t sit there in your workspace staring at the walls.  Even the most creative of people need to take some time off.  This can allow a blocked well of creativity to flow again.  Get outside for a bit to recharge your creative energies.

Remember to be patient when nurturing your creativity.  Make a habit of enjoying some creative techniques daily and, make the commitment to yourself that you will continue to move from your creative center, from the fire in your belly, dancing with the magic that continually moves within and around you.