Tending the Flame: Holding Onto Hope in Dark Times

What Imbolc Teaches Us About Hope

Feb 01, 2025

Today in the Northern Hemisphere, many of us who identify as witches and pagans are celebrating Imbolc. It’s no secret—these are heavy times. Cruelty and injustice are rising, from the highest offices to our own streets. It’s easy to feel powerless. But Imbolc reminds us that even in the deepest cold, renewal has already begun. Hold onto hope. Do not let them take that from you. Without hope, nothing else can bloom.

Hope, like the first lambs of the season, is fragile but persistent. It knows winter is heavy, but it trusts in the thaw. Holding onto hope now isn’t naïve—it’s necessary. It’s an act of defiance, of courage. Like tending Brigid’s flame in the dark, knowing the light will return.

Staying hopeful doesn’t mean ignoring reality or pretending things aren’t hard. Imbolc teaches us that even in the coldest stretch of winter, change is already happening beneath the surface. Staying rooted in your values doesn’t mean you won’t feel exhausted or grieve for what’s broken. You will. That’s part of being human. Rest when you need to, but don’t let your inner fire go out. Giving up serves no one—not you, not the world you want to help build. Instead, focus on what’s within your power: showing up for your community, having real conversations, keeping yourself strong in body and spirit. Small acts matter. Even the faintest spark can grow into something bright.

One of the most effective ways to control people is to overwhelm them—to keep them too exhausted to act. But Imbolc reminds us that even the smallest flame, carefully tended, can withstand the longest night. Your energy is one of your most valuable resources. It helps you think clearly, act decisively, and show up when it matters most. The road ahead won’t be easy, but that doesn’t mean we let the cold win. The earth is already stirring beneath the frost. And so must we. Protect your energy. Focus on what truly matters. Keep your inner fire burning—because even in the darkest season, the light is already returning.

Think of your energy like a battery. Every action, thought, and conversation drains it, little by little. Some things are worth that charge—helping others, staying informed, working toward something better. But not everything deserves your energy. You get to decide where it goes. Imbolc reminds us that renewal isn’t just about growth—it’s about conservation, too. Knowing what to feed and what to let rest. Take a moment to notice what depletes you and what restores you. Maybe that means stepping away from social media or limiting how much news you take in. Maybe it’s refusing to waste energy on pointless arguments. Maybe it’s simply letting yourself rest when your battery runs low. However you recharge, honor that process. Your energy isn’t endless, but it is sacred. Protect it so you have the power to shine when it’s truly needed.

One of the best ways to restore yourself is through spiritual practice. Imbolc teaches us that renewal starts small—quiet, steady devotion, flames tended with care. Whether it’s meditation, journaling, ritual, or prayer, the things we nurture in calm times become the anchors that hold us steady when life feels overwhelming. And spiritual work isn’t separate from fighting for a better world—it’s the hearth that keeps you warm, the spark that fuels your strength and endurance. Even the smallest acts—lighting a candle, breathing with intention, whispering a blessing—can bring you back to center and remind you of your own resilience.

History shows us again and again—darkness never lasts forever. The wheel turns. Ice melts. Change is already stirring beneath the surface. Movements grow. Transformation becomes possible—not through passive hope, but through action, persistence, and people like you doing what they can, however they can. Imbolc reminds us that even the smallest light has power. Every act of kindness, every stand against hatred, every effort to build something better is a spark in the long night. And every single one matters.

You’re not here to fix everything alone. Just do what you can. If enough of us do that, we become unstoppable. Take care of your battery—you’ll need it for the long haul. Start where you are, let small actions fuel bigger ones, and trust in the strength that comes from choosing to care.

Imbolc reminds us that even the faintest light holds promise. In Mastering Magick, I wrote about the witch’s concept of sovereignty—the responsibility of shaping our own lives and the world around us. A key part of that is recognizing how our energy and actions ripple outward. This is a powerful time to reflect. Where do your actions align with your values? Where might small shifts bring you closer to the world you want to create? Just as the earth begins to stir beneath the frost, change begins with intention, choice, and the will to tend what matters most.

ACL-Blue Yarn

As the chill of Imbolc settles in, a time sacred to wool, warmth, and renewal, my husband Devin has launched his yarn-dyeing business, Hella Good Yarn—just as the country faces critical battles for civil rights. In that spirit, we’re offering ACL-Blue, a limited-edition semi-solid yarn where 50% of all profits go directly to the ACLU. This is more than fiber—it’s a stand against fascism, a way to craft with intention, and a tangible act of resistance. Every loop, weave, and twist of ACL-Blue helps protect fundamental freedoms. Let’s create something powerful together.

You can buy some here.