These times are hard to write about. There are those who want us in the overwhelm. They are trying to crash the systems of collective care and responsibility. The result is that many people will suffer and die.
January 20: Trump & Elon push out FAA Administrator. A replacement isn't named.
January 20: Trump implements hiring freeze, including air traffic controllers.
January 21: Trump disbands aviation security advisory committee.
January 29: First passenger airline collision in 16 years.
The same pattern will play out across all systems treated with this same arrogance.
One more example: The freeze of PEPFAR, the world's largest health program, believed to have saved 25 million lives, including 5.5 children, means that "hundreds of thousands of people will immediately be unable to access effective and life-saving HIV treatment and other services." (source)
Ok, breathe.
I sat paralyzed after writing the above. I had my 14th round of chemo yesterday, today I am a small furious soul moving through turgid heavy water, wanting to do so much more than my body can accomplish. I had to stop, breathe, eat something with protein, get up, move gently. And repeat my recent litany:
There are more of us than there are of them.
We are not alone in our fury, we are not alone in our love for Earth, for the land, for the wild. We are not alone in our guttural desire to protect our loved ones, our children, all children, our own flickering light, and the right of each person to follow that light.
This weekend is a Pagan Holy Day, and a day sacred to both Witches and Christians, a meeting point in a plait of twisted reeds that holds both the traumas and the heroines of our histories. In the Celtic tradition, that Wiccans took inspiration from in their creation of the Sabbats — and which we take inspiration from in the crafting of a creative magical practice of our own here at Missing Witches, and which you are welcome to draw on if it works for you — this weekend is Brigid's Day and it is Imbolc.
Some history:
Imbolc is a pagan holiday celebrated from February 1 through sundown February 2. Based on a Celtic tradition, Imbolc was meant to mark the halfway point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox in Neolithic Ireland and Scotland.
Imbolc honours the Goddess Brigid, worshipped in ancient Ireland by an elite class of poets believed to have the power of divination.
Write poetry to map what's coming.
Brigid is one of the oldest and most powerful gods of her pantheon, one of the daughters of their oldest god. All three daughters were named Brigid, perhaps because they were different faces, embodiments, archetypes of that ancient power.
This version of the goddess has space for our diversity.
Brigid is credited with the very first keening, a traditional wailing for the dead practiced at funerals by Irish and Scottish women.
This weekend, WAIL to release your sorrow and your fury. Let the sound tie your body to the Earth and sky.
Let the sound of your keening alchemize your emotion into action.
One interpretation of the many myths that surround St Brigid is that she was a druid priestess who converted to Christianity to hide her ancient knowledge in plain sight. Her priestesses kept her flame alive for centuries.
Imagine us all, great waves of the determined, the hopeful, the marginalized, who realize we complete a circle around the tiny minority of those who have lost their minds to greed. Imagine all our plant and animal kin, all our ten thousand ancestors in the circle, keeping the flame alive. Imagine us advancing, one thunderous step at a time, to craft and care and divine an equitable living future.
Remember you are not alone, and take one step.
BFB.
New on the Missing Witches Podcast
Imbolc 2025: Future Histories Of Black Magic - Revolutionary Dreams w Lilith Dorsey, Loli Moon, Christena Cleveland, Zoe Flowers, Thea Anderson, and Dr Beverly
The halfway point between Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox (also known as Imbolc) is an ideal time to look backwards and forwards - what did we learn and what can we do differently as we start planning the planting of new seeds - literal and metaphorical?
February first also kicks off Black History Month and these two dates combined provide the perfect opportunity to celebrate where we’re going and learn from where we’ve been. To strategize our revolutionary dreams.
For the past few years Missing Witches has hosted a Zoom circle of inspiring Black Witches at Imbolc for a conversation series we call "Future Histories of Black Magic". We believe that all of our guests are creating what will be the future of black history with their incredible work.
Last year we lost a beloved poet, Nikki Giovanni, so we’re taking this year’s prompt from the title of one of her poems, “Revolutionary Dreams”.
I ask Lilith Dorsey, Loli Moon, Christena Cleveland, Zoe Flowers, Thea Anderson, and Dr Beverly:
What is YOUR revolutionary dream?
Invitations
Featured Event: New Moon in Aquarius - The Word
Sunday, Feb 2, 2:00 PM - 03:30 PM EST
"Terry Tempest Williams wrote: a pencil is a wand and a weapon. For the Aquarius New Moon, let's gather to talk about the power and magic of the written word. Come armed with a pen or pencil and together we'll write a spell - a wand and a weapon - of resistance and re-enchantment. Also bring your favourite poet, author, essayist, lyricist and we'll talk about how their words affected us and changed our lives." Official Event.
Saturday 1 Feb The Hermit Hour 12:00 – 1:00 PM EST
"Grab your lantern and cloak and let's talk all things the Hermit. Bring your favorite deck/excerpt/art piece/thoughts/experiences." Hosted by Melissa.
Saturday 1 Feb The Magic & Wisdom of 40 3:30 – 4:30 PM EST
"This is inspired by my upcoming 40th birthday, but this is not explicitly a birthday party. This is for anyone who wants to explore and share about 40 - the number, the age, and more. All are welcome!" Hosted by Julie N.
Mon-Fri Weekday Body Doubling and Pomodoro Writing Circle 7:00 – 11:00 AM EST
"We work quietly together, and take 5 minute breaks every 25 minutes." Hosted by Reed.
Wednesday 5 Feb What We've Forgotten - Transmutation & Transfiguration, 12:00 – 1:30 PM EST
"I know a lot of us are surfing these choppy waters (maybe even feeling like you’re getting hit in the face with a board) and maybe you need some more tools or a new board ;) I wanted to offer a segment of the workshop/retreat that I do with some of my favorite work - transfiguration and transmutation." Hosted by Amy M.
Wednesday 5 Feb Writing Circle - sharing and workshop, 7:00 – 8:00 PM EST
"Bring any writing or any ideas for a piece you'd like to share and/or workshop with the group! We'll go around the circle introducing ourselves to warm up the space and our voices. After intros, anyone who wants to share a piece is welcome to! If you don't want feedback but just want to share your words, that is also welcome 🙌 If you want to join as an audience member and don't have a piece to bring, you are still absolutely welcome! But the more voices and work we get to hear, the better! Be brave with us! We would love to hear what you're working on." ✨ Hosted by Em.
We love you. You are not alone.
Amy + Risa
