The time of Imbolc is a time of hope and joy. But it is also a time of sorrow, as we come to terms with the fact that not all past hopes have come true, and not every joy has a place in the future. Letting go of old hopes is an important and necessary process, yet it can be melancholic and painful—for unfulfilled dreams may still beckon, even when they are no longer relevant or even when they hinder our growth.

Even the dearest and longest-held desires sometimes need to be reevaluated. Both our inner and outer worlds shift and transform, reshaping themselves in ways we may not have expected. Not every change will bring us happiness, yet each one deserves to be accepted as another step on the unfolding path ahead.

And so, today, sorrow and joy meet in the same cup. Let us not fear drinking it to the very last drop!

© Elena Shuwany