Imbolc in Australia: A Seed Spell for New Beginnings

Silver Wattle

Honouring the slow return of light, hope, and new beginnings

Hello creative alchemists,

Imbolc arrives in the Southern Hemisphere around August 1st, with the exact cross-quarter moment in 2025 falling on August 7th at 10:14am AEST. It’s a gentle turning of the wheel, a quiet whisper that the light is returning, even if the chill still lingers.

Here in Melbourne/Naarm, Imbolc feels different from the snowy landscapes where its Celtic roots first took hold. Instead of snowdrops, we watch wattles bloom. Instead of frozen earth, we see the first bees stir and listen to magpies’ herald longer days. It’s a season of slow renewal, a moment to pause, breathe, and plant seeds, literal and metaphorical.

A Brief History of Imbolc

Before it was candlelight and wheel-of-the-year graphics, Imbolc was a deeply practical, seasonal moment. It’s one of the four Celtic cross-quarter festivals, traditionally celebrated around February 1st in the Northern Hemisphere, marking the midway point between Winter Solstice (Yule) and Spring Equinox (Ostara).

Imbolc is thought to derive from the Old Irish word i mbolg, meaning “in the belly”, referring to the pregnancy of ewes and the return of milk, a vital turning point in an agrarian society. After the harsh scarcity of winter, milk meant nourishment. It meant survival.

It was a festival of purification, hope, and fertility. Sacred wells were visited. The hearth was ritually cleaned. Fires were lit in honour of Brigid, goddess of healing, poetry, midwifery, fertility, and smithcraft. People would craft Brigid’s crosses from rushes or straw and place them in their homes for protection and blessing.

As Christianity spread, Brigid was syncretised into Saint Brigid, and Imbolc became Candlemas, still a fire festival in its own way, with candles blessed and carried in procession to honour the light.

Today, many of us, witches, pagans, artists, animists, and nature lovers celebrate Imbolc as a gentle threshold. A seasonal pivot. A quiet reminder that spring is coming, even if we can’t quite see it yet.

In the Southern Hemisphere, we observe Imbolc around August 1st, or, astrologically, when the sun reaches 15° Leo (August 7th in 2025). While the traditional symbols like snowdrops and frozen earth may not apply here, the deeper themes still resonate:
✨ Renewal
✨ New life stirring
✨ Hope
✨ Light returning
✨ The spark of inspiration after a long dark

Imbolc is not just a date on the wheel, it’s a feeling.
The shift in the air. The urge to clear out the cobwebs. The sudden itch to create, clean, plan, or simply move after months of stillness. It’s the first birdsong. The blooming of wattle. The moment you realise you’re ready to begin again, softly.

Imbolc Altar with a Candle and Brigid’s Cross

Other Cultures at the Turning Point

Imbolc isn’t the only moment that honours the slow return of light. Across time and place, many cultures have marked this in-between season, when winter still lingers, but spring begins to stir beneath the surface.

Candlemas (Christian Europe – Feb 2)

Originally linked to Roman and Celtic traditions, Candlemas became a Christian festival of light. Candles were blessed and lit to symbolise the return of the sun. Rural communities would observe weather omens to predict how long winter might last, just like the old Imbolc weather lore.

Setsubun (Japan – early Feb)

Held just before the Japanese beginning of spring (Risshun), Setsubun is all about cleansing away the old season. People throw roasted soybeans while chanting, “Out with demons! In with good fortune!” A beautiful ritual of release and renewal.

Lambing Season (Celtic/agrarian traditions)

In many parts of Europe, late winter meant the return of lambs and the first milk, a literal and spiritual sign that life was returning to the land. This is the origin of the word Imbolc (“in the belly” or “milk of the ewes”).

Guling Season - Kulin Nations – Southeastern Australia, including Naarm

According to the Kulin seasonal calendar, Guling marks the pre-spring season.
Signs include:

• Silver wattles blooming

• Eels returning to the rivers

• An increase in insect and bird activity

These natural cues echo Imbolc’s message: light is returning, slowly but surely.

As someone living and working on Wurundjeri Country, I honour the wisdom of this land and its traditional custodians. Imbolc might be a Celtic word, but the cycle of renewal belongs to all places, and here, it speaks through wattles, waterways, and local birdsong.

The Seed Spell: A Simple Imbolc Ritual for Here and Now

This year, I wanted a ritual that felt real. Not aspirational, not perfect, just honest. Something small, gentle, and accessible. A spell for those of us who are time poor, chronically ill, tired, or quietly holding things together. A ritual that meets us in the mess and the mundane.

There’s a neglected communal patch in my apartment complex, dry, grey, lifeless. The kind of space that gets overlooked. I’ve ordered a little collection of beneficial bug flower and herb seeds, mostly blue-toned blooms and lavender, all low-maintenance, pollinator-friendly, and cheerful. For Imbolc I am going to take theses seeds down to this sad little courtyard and scatter the seeds. As I scatter the seeds I will softly say to myself – “For colour, for joy,
for beauty to grow,
may this little patch
of earth softly glow.”

That’s it. That’s the spell.

A Simple Imbolc Ritual: The Seed Spell

You can try this too, adapt it to your energy, your body, your space. This one’s for everyone; however you identify. Witch, Muggle, Artist….

You’ll need:

• A small packet of wildflower, herb, or native seeds

• A patch of earth (a verge, a pot, a planter box, a crack in the pavement)

• A warm drink and a quiet moment

Step 1. Ground yourself.
Take a breath. Feel the air on your skin. Sip something warm. Notice the subtle shift in season.

Step 2. Hold your seeds.
Feel the weight of them in your hand. These are small spells. Tiny sparks of possibility.

Step 3. Whisper a wish.
Something simple and true:
“For colour, for joy,
for beauty to grow,
may this little patch
of earth softly glow.”

Step 4. Scatter your seeds.
No fanfare. Just quiet magic. A gentle offering to the land.

Step 5. Let it go.
No pressure to check or track or perfect. Let nature take it from here. Trust the slow unfolding.

Modern Ways to Celebrate Imbolc

Imbolc doesn’t have to be elaborate, expensive, or historically “accurate.” In fact, the most powerful rituals are the ones that fit your life, your energy, and your space, especially if you’re time-poor, living with disability or chronic illness, or working within an urban/suburban setting.

Here are some gentle, modern ways to mark the season, whether you’re a practicing witch, a creative muggle, or simply someone feeling the stirrings of spring:

Light a candle

Symbolic and simple. Light a candle (real or battery-powered) to honour the return of light. Let it represent hope, warmth, creativity, or whatever you want to cultivate.

Plant a seed (literally or metaphorically)

Whether you scatter wildflowers in a courtyard (like I’m doing), pop herbs into a balcony pot, or jot down a creative idea in your journal, this is a beautiful time to plant something small and trust it will grow.

Clear a corner

You don’t need to deep-clean the whole house. Just choose one small area, your altar, your bedside table, your studio windowsill, and clear away what no longer serves. Imbolc is all about making space for the new.

Make a list of gentle intentions

Not goals. Not resolutions. Just a few quiet wishes for the season ahead. Think: “tend my nervous system,” “create something for joy, not outcome,” or “let myself rest without guilt.”

Make something with your hands

Paint, collage, stitch, scribble, even just for five minutes. Imbolc is ruled by Brigid, patron of the arts and inspiration. You don’t need a plan, just begin.

Work with milk (or a nourishing substitute)

In traditional Imbolc lore, milk symbolised life returning. Honour that by drinking a favourite warm beverage, cooking something creamy, or offering a splash to the earth as a quiet libation.

Honour the land you’re on

Here in Naarm/Melbourne, Imbolc aligns with Guling season in the Kulin calendar, when wattles bloom, eels return, and insects reappear. Noticing and honouring these local rhythms is a ritual in itself.

Rest — seriously

Imbolc is the start of the return, not the sprint toward spring. If all you do is light a candle and take a breath, that’s enough. You are part of the turning wheel, even in stillness.

Foods and Feasts for Imbolc

Imbolc marks the slow return of nourishment and abundance after winter’s lean months. Traditionally, it was a celebration of the first milk from ewes and the promise of new life. Food at Imbolc tends to be simple, hearty, and comforting, the kind of fare that feeds body and soul alike.

Here are some classic and contemporary ideas for your Imbolc table:

Dairy & Creaminess

Milk, butter, cream, cheese, yoghurt, these were symbols of fertility and nourishment. In colder climates, fresh dairy was a precious gift, signaling the lambing season and renewed life.

Modern idea:

• A creamy porridge with honey and cinnamon

• Warm milk infused with herbs (like chamomile or lavender)

• A cheese platter with rustic bread and seasonal fruit

Breads and Grains

Bread, oatcakes, and porridge have long been staples. Grains symbolise the cycles of planting and harvest, even before the actual sowing began.

Modern idea:

• Freshly baked bread or scones (easier if store-bought!)

• Warm oatmeal or muesli with nuts and seeds

• Buckwheat pancakes or flatbreads with herbs

Sweetness from the Earth

Honey, root vegetables, and seasonal fruits connect us to the land’s slow sweetness emerging from winter.

Modern idea:

• Roasted pumpkin or sweet potato drizzled with honey

• Carrot and beetroot salad with a lemon dressing

• Herbal teas sweetened with local honey

Fresh Herbs & Wild Greens

Brigid is associated with healing and herbal knowledge, so fresh herbs, greens, and plants are perfect additions.

Modern idea:

• A simple salad with nasturtium flowers, parsley, and lemon

• Herb-infused butter or oils

• A small bunch of fresh herbs tied with a ribbon as a table decoration or blessing

Simple, Slow-Cooked Foods

As Imbolc honours hearth and home, slow-cooked stews or soups warm the body and spirit.

Modern idea:

• A lentil or vegetable stew with root vegetables and warming spices

• A pot of golden pumpkin soup

• Lentil dal or dhal, rich with turmeric and ginger

Seasonal and Symbolic Treats

Some traditions include special cakes or pastries, sometimes shaped like Brigid’s cross or decorated with seasonal symbols.

Modern idea:

• A simple honey cake

• Herb-infused biscuits or cookies

• A small tart with seasonal fruit

Libations and Offerings

Milk or cream can also be used as a libation, a small offering to the earth or spirits to honour the cycle of giving and receiving. If you prefer non-dairy, a splash of water, herbal tea, or diluted juice works beautifully too.

A Note for Australia

 Since our seasons are flipped and local ingredients vary, feel free to honour native plants and seasonal produce, wattleseed, finger limes, lemon myrtle, bush tomatoes, or macadamias can all be part of a truly local Imbolc feast.

Simple Imbolc Damper Recipe

Traditional Australian bush bread, perfect for celebrating Imbolc with a nod to the land

Ingredients:

• 2 cups self-raising flour (or plain flour + 2 tsp baking powder)

• 1/2 tsp salt

• 1 cup milk (or plant-based alternative)

• 2 tbsp melted butter or oil

• Optional: 1 tbsp honey for a touch of sweetness

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 200°C (390°F) and line a baking tray with baking paper.

2. In a bowl, mix the flour and salt.

3. Add the melted butter and honey (if using).

4. Slowly add the milk and stir until it forms a soft dough. It should be slightly sticky but manageable.

5. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and gently knead a few times—don’t overwork it!

6. Shape the dough into a round loaf and place it on the tray.

7. Score a cross on top with a knife (optional but traditional).

8. Bake for 25-30 minutes, until golden and cooked through (a skewer inserted should come out clean).

9. Let cool slightly before tearing apart and enjoying.

Locally Inspired Imbolc Feast Ideas

Celebrating the turning wheel with native ingredients and seasonal produce

• Damper fresh from the oven, served with native lemon myrtle butter or wattleseed honey

• Roasted golden pumpkin with a sprinkle of lemon myrtle and a drizzle of olive oil

• Fresh wild greens salad with peppery warrigal greens or dandelion leaves, tossed with a simple lemon and olive oil dressing

• A warming lentil and root vegetable stew with bush tomatoes or native pepper berries for a gentle kick

• Herbal tea brewed with lemon myrtle, wattleseed, or peppermint, served warm to soothe the body

• Sweet treat: Honey and macadamia nut biscuits or a simple lemon myrtle shortbread

A gentle reminder:
This feast doesn’t have to be complicated or exhausting. The spirit of Imbolc is about nourishment, renewal, and gentle beginnings. It’s perfect for small gatherings, solo rituals, or sharing with neighbours if you feel so moved.

Imbolc Art Journal Prompt: Seeds of Light

As the wheel turns and the light slowly returns, take a quiet moment to connect with the seeds stirring within you, ideas, dreams, parts of yourself waiting to grow.

Materials:
Your favourite art supplies, paints, pens, collage scraps, whatever calls to you today.

Prompt:

• Begin by drawing or painting a seed, a bulb, or a flame, something small but full of potential.

• Around it, create symbols or images that represent what you want to nurture this season. These can be feelings, intentions, relationships, or creative projects.

• Reflect on:

• What needs gentle tending right now?

• What light can you bring to your own inner winter?

• How can you hold space for slow growth and rest?

There’s no need to finish or perfect this page. Let it be a soft place you can return to throughout the season.

Oracle Insights: Imbolc 3-Card Spread

Here’s a gentle, intuitive DIY 3-card Oracle Spread called “Imbolc Insights”, perfect for connecting with Imbolc’s themes of renewal, light, and gentle beginnings.

How to Use:

Shuffle your deck with the intention of seeking guidance for this turning season, what you need to know or focus on as the light returns.

Card 1: The Seed

What new potential is quietly growing beneath the surface? What is ready to be planted, even if it’s just an idea or feeling?

Card 2: The Flame

What inner light do you need to nurture right now? What will keep your spark alive through the slow unfolding?

Card 3: The Harvest

What gifts or lessons will come from this season’s tending? How can you prepare to receive what is growing?

Spend a few moments journaling or simply sitting with the cards. What whispers or images arise? How can you carry this wisdom gently with you through the turning wheel?

Late Winter Studio Sounds

As Imbolc whispers the return of light, my studio fills with a gentle hum, a soundtrack for slow creativity and quiet tending.

This playlist is my companion for those soft, still days when energy is low but inspiration lingers just beneath the surface. It’s a blend of warm acoustics, ambient textures, and subtle rhythms, perfect for mixed media, journaling, or simply breathing with the season.

Whether you’re lighting a candle, scattering seeds, or simply resting, may these sounds hold space for your creative flame to flicker and grow.

Listen here:

Thank you for joining me in this gentle turning of the wheel. May your Imbolc be full of small sparks, slow growth, and deep nourishment—inside and out.

Bright blessings,

Samhain: A Time of Remembrance: Special Edition Blog

New Moon's Messenger

Original Print - Ange Foster

Lunar Accent

Original Print - Ange Foster

Wings of Change

Original Print - Ange Foster

Hello creative alchemists,

The nights are stretching out longer now, and there’s that certain crispness in the air that whispers change is coming. It’s time for our Samhain gathering here on the blog, a moment to honour the turning of the Wheel and the ancestors who walk beside us.

A Cuppa and a Catch Up

In last week’s blog, I shared a little about how, living here in the Southern Hemisphere, Samhain aligns closely with ANZAC Day.
Growing up in a military family, ANZAC Day has always held deep meaning for me. It's not just a public holiday; it’s a personal day of remembrance. Since the Boer War, members of my family have been involved in almost every conflict Australia has seen.
So, when I pause on April 25th to honour the ANZACs, I’m also honouring my own bloodlines, my ancestors, and the stories they carried, stories of survival, sacrifice, strength, and deep resilience.
It feels fitting that Samhain, the festival of remembrance, weaves so closely into this sacred time.

In Flanders Fields - Original Painting by Ange Foster

Art Witch Musings: The Origins and History of Samhain

Samhain (pronounced Sow-in) is one of the four major fire festivals in the ancient Celtic calendar, marking the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. It falls halfway between the autumn equinox and the winter solstice, a true liminal space where endings and beginnings meet.

For the ancient Celts of Ireland, Scotland, and parts of Britain, Samhain was the most important festival of the year. It was believed that during this time, the veil between the worlds of the living and the dead grew thin. Spirits could cross over more easily, and humans could reach across the divide through dreams, divination, and ritual.

Bonfires were lit across the hills to ward off wandering spirits and to offer light in the growing darkness. People would extinguish their home hearth fires and relight them from the communal bonfire, symbolising unity and renewal for the whole community.
Offerings of food and drink were left out for the ancestors and the 'Good Folk', the fae, who were especially active during this time.

Samhain wasn't a festival of fear, it was a deeply respectful time, an acknowledgment that death is simply part of life’s cycle. A pause. A breath. A sacred in-between.
In many ways, our modern practices like Halloween echo this older, earth-based wisdom, even if some of the nuances have been lost along the way.

Misty Samhain Morning in the Austrialan Bush

Working with Samhain in the Studio

Samhain is an incredible time to lean into shadow work and explore the themes of memory, loss, transformation, and rebirth in our creative practice.
Here are some ways you can weave the magic of this season into your art:

• Ancestor Altars: Set up a small corner of your studio space with photos, mementos, or objects that connect you to your ancestors or beloved dead. Let their energy inspire your work. Light a candle in their honour as you begin creating.

• Shadow Collages: Play with darker colours, torn edges, layered textures, and hidden imagery. Let yourself make art that feels raw, messy, honest.

• Release Rituals: Write down what you are ready to release on scraps of paper. Burn them safely in a cauldron or fireproof dish or tear them into tiny pieces and collage them into a background, transforming them into something new.

• Crows and Symbols: Crows, bones, bare branches, seeds tucked into cold earth, these are the icons of Samhain. Let them find their way into your sketches, paintings, or journal pages.

• Divination Drawing: Try pulling a card before you begin your studio session and allow it to shape your theme or palette for the day.

Remember: Samhain art is not about perfection. It’s about authenticity.
Let your hands be guided by your spirit, not your inner critic.

Art Journal Prompt

"What stories am I ready to release, and what deeper truths am I ready to honour?"

Let this question guide your next art journal page.
Work intuitively, let colour, line, texture, and symbol speak louder than words. Trust that whatever rises to the surface is exactly what needs to be witnessed.

Art Journal spread

Samhain Oracle Reading — 3 Card Spread

I pulled three cards for us, asking what energies we should honour this Samhain:

• 1. What needs to be honoured:
  The Ancestor — Your bloodline and spirit line are present. Honour the sacrifices, dreams, and love that brought you here. You carry them forward.

• 2. What needs to be released:
  The Mask — The need to pretend, to "perform" for others. Samhain calls you to lay down the masks and let your truest self breathe.

• 3. What is emerging:
  The Seed — A quiet spark of new beginnings is stirring beneath the surface. Tend to it gently. It’s not time for full bloom yet, but trust that it’s growing.

Take a moment to sit with these cards. Maybe even pull your own and see what additional messages come through.

🎶Samhain Playlist

To honour the turning of the Wheel, I’ve also created a special playlist for this liminal time — weaving together songs that speak to both the fire of Beltaine in the Northern Hemisphere and the deep introspection of Samhain here in the South.

Light a candle, pour a cuppa, and let the music guide you as you journal, create, or simply sit with the energies of the season.

A Little Reminder

If you’re feeling drawn to crow energy this season (and honestly, how could you not, crows are the messengers between worlds!), don’t forget:
🖤 My Crow Series is available my Redbubble store! 🖤
There are prints, stickers, journals, perfect companions for your Samhain altar or seasonal space.
Visit My Redbubble Store Here,

That’s it for this special Samhain edition, creative souls.
May this season bless you with deep connection, sweet remembrance, and the courage to move forward with open hearts.

Until next time,

Art Witch Musings: Studio Notes, Magic & Momentum

Hello Creative Alchemists,

It’s the full moon in Libra this week and while we’ve moved our deeper astrology dives to social media, I still want to take a moment to acknowledge the energy of this lunation. Libra brings themes of harmony, balance and beauty, and after the eclipse season, Venus and Mercury retrogrades, this full moon feels like a moment to catch our breath and consolidate all that’s shifted. Keep an eye out on the socials for the deep dive.

Cuppa + Catch Up: Studio Happenings and Collective 24 News

Cuppa Time

Grab your favourite cuppa, light a candle, and get comfy, there’s lots to catch you up on.

Let’s start with the exciting news from Collective 24: we’ve secured a gallery and exhibition dates! We’re beyond thrilled to be exhibiting at Kindred Cameras Gallery in Docklands during the term break, from May 25 – June 3, with our opening night on May 30. We knew this was a big ask, a newly formed collective requesting their own dates from a gallery is not the usual way things are done (typically, galleries give you the dates), but we asked anyway… and they said yes! Not only can the gallery facilitate our requested time, but they also offer a package to curate and hang the show for us. How amazing is that?

This gives us space to focus on completing our work and planning an epic opening night. And yes, it’s fully accessible, which was non-negotiable for us. Accessibility in the arts matters, not just for me as a wheelchair user, but for everyone who wants to create and engage with art.

In light of the exhibition announcement, I’ve stepped up our profile sharing schedule on socials from weekly to daily, so I can start promoting both our artists and the exhibition. Starting next week, we will start taking a deeper dive into each of the artists and find out a little bit more about their art. If you’re not already following Collective 24 on Instagram and Facebook, come join us!

Inside the Studio: Sculpture, Layers + A Juicy Workshop

Back in the studio, I’ve been continuing to explore texture and layers. I made a fun little paper mâché sculpture last week inspired by seed pods, I even shared a reel of the process, so if you missed it, head to the grid to check it out.

I also signed up for a 5-day mixed media workshop with Art of Flow. I know, I know… as if I wasn’t busy enough! But it’s all about juicy layers and mixed media magic, and I couldn’t resist. One hour a day, and by the end of the week I should have a finished canvas ready to hang. Or at least some new techniques and a very messy art table.

I also have one more piece to finish for the Incognito Art Show.

More big news, I’m honoured to share that my “Kintsugi of the Soul” torsos won Round 3 of Violence Prevention Australia’s “Stop it Before it Starts” art competition. Voting is now open for the People’s Choice Award, and I would so appreciate your support if you can take a moment to vote for my work.

Accessibility + Advocacy: Life Outside the Studio

Outside the studio, things have been full on. I’ve had a stack of appointments with my healthcare team and have started seeing some new practitioners. My occupational therapist is doing all the behind-the-scenes advocacy work to try and get me an electric wheelchair, something that would make a huge difference to my daily life and independence. I’m dreaming of rolling down to my local café solo for a morning coffee. What can I say, I’m an Art Witch who lives in Melbourne, it’s the vibe!

Art Witch Musings: Colour Magic + Altar Building

Last week on the socials, we explored Colour Magic. As artists, we’re already familiar with colour theory, but colour has deep energetic and symbolic meanings too.

My palette has shifted naturally with the season, deep ochres, rusts, and warm ambers are showing up a lot. And gold. Always gold. Even when I try not to include it in a piece, it never feels finished until I add that shimmer.

Gold has long been linked to sun magic. It represents illumination, courage, and wisdom. It's also associated with divination, insight, creativity and happiness. In ancient cultures, gold was used in rituals and ceremonies, often symbolising divinity and the sacred.

This week, we’re looking at how building an Art Witch Altar can support both your creative and spiritual practice.

Here are some things you might include on your altar:

• Crystals for creativity (like Carnelian, Citrine, or Clear Quartz)

• A small candle to represent illumination

• Seasonal objects like leaves or seed pods

• A journal or notebook

• Tools you love, paintbrushes, pencils, or scraps of paper

• A tarot or oracle card pull

Altars don’t need to be big or fancy. A windowsill, a small shelf, even a corner of your desk will do. The key is creating a sacred space where you can drop into creative flow and honour your craft.

An art desk with Art Witch Altar items

Art Journal Prompt: Full Moon in Libra

This full moon invites us to reflect on the balance between caring for others and caring for ourselves.

Art Journal Prompt:

What does balance look like in your creative life? Where are you being called to restore harmony, between rest and making, between giving and receiving, between solitude and connection?

Let your page be a mirror.

Art Journal

Artist of the Season: Elizabeth Catlett

Our featured artist this season is Elizabeth Catlett (1915–2012), an African American and Mexican sculptor and printmaker whose work centred around themes of race, gender, motherhood, and resistance.

Catlett’s work was both politically engaged and deeply personal. She’s best known for her powerful linocut prints and sculptures that depict Black women with strength and dignity. Her career spanned more than 70 years, and her art often carried messages of empowerment, particularly for working class women and communities of colour.

Some of her iconic works include:

• Sharecropper (1952) — a striking linocut print

• Homage to My Young Black Sisters (1968)

• Mother and Child (multiple versions)

She believed art should serve the people and speak truth to power, a sentiment that still rings true in today’s world. Her influence can be felt across generations of feminist and activist artists.

Studio Tunes

I’ll leave you with this Autumn Vibes Playlist, a musical companion to this season of slow transformation and golden light.

Crafting Magic in the Mess

As the leaves turn and the light shifts, I’m feeling the rhythm of the season deep in my bones, that blend of letting go and digging deeper. Whether I’m layering gold leaf on canvas or shaping seed pods in paper mâché, I keep returning to this truth: there’s magic in the making, even in the mess. Especially in the mess. Thank you for being part of this creative unfolding, for showing up, reading along, and weaving your own threads into this ever-growing tapestry.

If you’d like to follow more of my daily art practice, studio rituals, and behind-the-scenes updates, you can find me over on Instagram and Facebook at @anges.studio. You can also check out my Redbubble store for art prints and goodies, or dive into more blog musings on my website at www.angesstudio.com. Until next time, keep crafting your own kind of magic.

With love and creativity,

Mabon: Welcoming the Autumn Equinox in the Southern Hemisphere

An Art Witch’s Mabon Altar

As the wheel turns and we step into the autumn equinox, or Mabon, we find ourselves in a moment of balance. Day and night are equal, a fleeting pause before the darkness slowly begins to overtake the light. Here in the Southern Hemisphere, autumn doesn’t always look like the classic imagery of crisp air and golden leaves, our climate and landscapes tell a different story. But the shift is still felt deep in our bones. The days become shorter, the air carries a different weight, and our bodies and minds begin adjusting to the seasonal transition.

The Energetics of Autumn

Autumn has always been a season of preparation. For our ancestors, this time was about gathering the final harvest, preserving food, and ensuring survival through the colder months. While we no longer need to store grains or cure meats for winter, we still experience a deep instinct to prepare. But instead of stacking firewood or preserving fruit, we turn inward, taking stock of where we are, what we need, and how we want to approach the coming months.

Physically, we may feel a pull to slow down. The pace of summer’s outward energy starts to wane, replaced by a need for warmth, comfort, and introspection. Emotionally, this can be a time of reflection, an opportunity to process what we’ve experienced and decide what we’re ready to release. Our creativity can shift too, moving from expansive, high-energy projects to more intimate, detail-focused work.

Creativity in the Cooler Months

For me, autumn and winter are deeply tied to my art journal practice. As the weather cools, I find comfort in working on individual pages, layering textures, words, and colours that reflect my inner world. There’s something about the ritual of journaling that feels particularly potent in the colder months. Art witchery and art magick thrive in this space, where creativity meets personal ceremony. This is the time to embrace the intimacy of creating just for yourself, without the pressure to share or produce for an audience.

Autumn Studio Tunes Playlist

As I settle into the slower pace of autumn, my studio is filled with the sounds that help me get into the zone. Music is such an integral part of my creative process, and in the cooler months, I find myself gravitating toward mellow, soulful tunes that nurture my introspective energy.

I've curated a special Autumn Studio Tunes playlist on Spotify to share with you, these tracks have been my go-to for getting into a creative flow this season. Feel free to follow and press play while you read, journal, or work on your own creative projects.

What’s on your playlist for this season? Let me know on the socials!

Art Witchery & Art Magick

This brings me to something I want to introduce more into my work: #LittleWitchyThings and #ArtWitchTips, simple ways to weave magick into your art practice. You may have seen some of these I have already started to share over on the socials. But what exactly is an Art Witch, and what is Art Magick?

An Art Witch is someone who blends creative practice with intuitive and spiritual work. Art becomes a form of spellcraft, a way to connect with unseen energies, process emotions, and manifest intentions. Art Magick is about infusing your work with meaning, whether it’s through symbolism, intentional colour choices, or the physical rituals you bring into your creative space.

Rituals for the Studio

You don’t need elaborate tools or complex ceremonies to bring ritual into your creative practice. Simple things can shift the energy of your space and deepen your connection to your work:

• Light a candle to set an intention for your creative session.

• Burn incense or diffuse essential oils that align with the mood you want to cultivate.

• Make an intention-infused cup of tea—stirring in energy for focus, clarity, or inspiration.

• Use sigils or symbols in your art to encode meaning and intention.

• Create a small seasonal altar in your studio with natural elements that reflect the time of year.

Closing the Cycle: Mabon to Samhain

As we finish this phase of #CyclesOfCraft, we now step into the next, Mabon to Samhain (March 20 to April 30). This period deepens the themes of transition and release. It’s a time to honour what we’ve created, reflect on what we’ve learned, and prepare for the darker half of the year.

Over the next six weeks, I’ll be exploring ways to bring more ritual into my creative practice, leaning into the slowness of the season, and allowing my art to hold space for the shifts happening internally. Whether you’re a painter, writer, crafter, or journal keeper, I invite you to do the same, find the magick in the process and let your creativity be a sanctuary.

#CyclesOfCraft

Mabon Art Journal Prompt

Mabon is a time of balance and gratitude, a moment to pause and honour both what we’ve gained and what we are ready to release. As we shift towards the darker half of the year, let’s reflect on this seasonal transition.

Prompt: What are you harvesting in your life right now? What lessons, experiences, or creative projects have come to fruition? As the wheel turns, what are you ready to let go of to make space for new growth?

You can explore this prompt through words, colours, symbols, or imagery that represents this seasonal shift for you.

Free Mabon Colouring Page

To celebrate the season, I’ve created a free Mabon colouring page with an Australian twist! Featuring a wombat, an Australian raven, and native botanicals, this piece is a way to honour the unique beauty of our autumn here in the Southern Hemisphere. You can download it here. and use it as a mindful creative ritual during this time of transition.

Mabon Colouring Page

Mabon Sale – 25% Off in My Redbubble Store!

As we welcome the shift in seasons, I’m offering 25% off everything in my Redbubble store for a limited time! This is the perfect opportunity to grab prints, stickers, and other art-inspired goodies infused with the magick of the seasons. Head over to my store to check it out!

How do you experience autumn? Do you find your creativity shifting with the season? Let’s chat in, and keep over on the socials, and keep an eye out for more #LittleWitchyThings and #ArtWitchTips coming soon!

25% off Sale storewide at my redbubble store

Leo Full Moon February 2025: A Time for Boldness and Creativity

Moonlight from the Leo Full Moon streams through an open window, illuminating an art journal, paintbrushes, a quiet moment of magic and creation in the night.

The Leo Full Moon is almost here, bringing its bold, creative energy to illuminate where we shine and where we might be draining ourselves unnecessarily. This lunation is an invitation to step into our authentic selves, embrace joy, and reassess where we are placing our energy. Before we dive into the astrology, let’s catch up on the last couple of weeks.

Personal Update: Navigating Energy and Embracing Rest

The past fortnight has been a bit of a struggle with the extreme heat making everything feel heavier and more exhausting. Alongside my usual physio and hydro sessions, I’ve had several medical appointments, which has left me feeling more depleted than usual. The challenges of chronic illness and disability are always present, and it’s a constant balancing act between fulfilling necessary commitments and honouring my energy limits.

This has meant that I’ve had to lean into rest a bit more than I usually would, adjusting my schedule accordingly to avoid pushing myself too hard. I have also been digging into some old self-care techniques I haven’t used for a while. It’s been a reminder that listening to my body is just as important as the work itself.

Studio Update: Creative Exploration and Progress

Despite the heat and my medical appointments, I managed to carve out some studio time, and I’m happy to say that I had what felt like a successful experiment with texture and layering for my piece in the upcoming Creativa exhibition with Collective 24. I shared a reel over on Instagram showing my process—playing intuitively with different materials and techniques, letting the piece evolve organically. It was a much-needed reminder of how important it is to embrace exploration in art, even when the energy is low.

I’m excited to keep pushing forward with my work, especially as we move into the next phase of my Cycles of Craft campaign.

Layers, textures, and a little bit of alchemy!

Artist of the Season: Vivian Maier – Exploring the Unseen Through Photography

Born on February 1, 1926, Vivian Maier was a self-taught photographer whose work remained hidden until after her death. Working as a nanny for most of her life, she secretly captured thousands of street photographs, documenting everyday life with an incredible eye for composition and human emotion. Her work was only discovered in 2007 when a collection of her negatives was auctioned off, revealing an artist whose talent had been invisible for decades. Find out more about Vivian here.

Maier’s story speaks deeply to the themes I keep returning to in my own work—visibility and invisibility, the tension between being seen and unseen, the narratives that go untold. Her work captures fleeting moments of life, the beauty in the ordinary, and the quiet presence of those often overlooked. As I continue exploring these themes in my own art, I find her story both inspiring and haunting. She was an artist who created for the sake of creation, leaving behind a body of work that speaks even in her absence.

Leo Full Moon Astrology: Balancing Self-Expression and Collective Needs

The Leo Full Moon is a time of illumination, creativity, and personal power. Leo, ruled by the sun, is about self-expression, confidence, and radiance. This lunation asks us to check in with ourselves:

• Where are we wasting energy that isn’t serving us?

• What parts of our lives feel uncomfortable, and what can we do to nurture ease instead of forcing constant self-improvement?

• What is out of our control, and can we release our grip on it?

Leo’s energy reminds us to take up space, to celebrate who we are without apology. But while Leo is about the self, the sun is currently in Aquarius, the sign of the collective. This full moon highlights the balance between personal needs and the greater good. It’s a dance between honouring our individuality and understanding how we exist within a larger ecosystem.

We might feel the tension between wanting to express ourselves boldly and the pressures of societal expectations. This is a good time to reflect on where we are dimming our own light to fit in or where we are overextending ourselves at the expense of our well-being.

Eclipse Season 2025: Preparing for Cosmic Shifts

Lunar Eclipse in Virgo – March 14, 2025

The Lunar Eclipse in Virgo is a full moon that calls for a deep cleansing and recalibration. Virgo energy is all about order, healing, and refinement, so this eclipse will illuminate the areas of your life that need attention, particularly around health, organization, and habits. It’s a time to release old patterns that no longer serve your well-being or your creative process. Whether it’s letting go of toxic work habits or clearing clutter in your physical or mental space, Virgo will guide you towards a more streamlined, balanced life.

This is a great time to reflect on how you’ve been nurturing your body and mind. Have you been paying attention to your self-care, or is it time to let go of habits that are depleting you? Virgo asks us to take practical steps toward self-improvement, so any work done during this eclipse will have long-lasting benefits.

Solar Eclipse in Aries – March 29, 2025

The Solar Eclipse in Aries brings a surge of fiery, bold energy that could inspire sudden changes or new beginnings. Aries, the first sign of the zodiac, is about taking action, being courageous, and embracing the thrill of the unknown. With this solar eclipse, the universe is asking us to look at where we need to be more assertive, take risks, and stand up for ourselves.

This is a potent moment for setting new intentions and creating a fresh start, especially in areas where you’ve been holding back. If you’ve been feeling like something in your life is stagnant or you’re ready to leap into a new direction, the Aries solar eclipse provides the perfect energy to break free of any lingering hesitations. It's a time to step into leadership, take charge of your creative vision, and assert your power in a way that feels authentic and aligned with your true desires.

Eclipses & Your Creative Practice

Even though the Lunar Eclipse in Virgo and the Solar Eclipse in Aries are still a month away, now is a good time to start preparing. The energy of eclipses tends to build up over time, so it’s worth starting to reflect on what you might need to release or what new intentions you’d like to set. This period offers us a chance to get clear on what we want to move away from and what we’re ready to move toward.

In the coming weeks, we’ll dive deeper into the themes of both eclipses and how they can influence your creative practice. We’ll talk about how to align with these energies in more practical ways and share some rituals and ideas to guide you through this transformative time.

For now, start considering what feels out of balance or stagnant in your life and creative process, and begin to gently let go of anything that no longer serves you. The time for big shifts is coming, and it’s a great opportunity to begin building the foundation for change.

 Art Journal Prompt:

Under the glow of the Leo Full Moon, reflect on where you are ready to shine. What part of yourself have you been dimming? Use bold colors, expressive marks, or even collage elements to celebrate your authentic self. How can you take up space in your creativity and life without apology?

#CyclesofCraft Update: Lammas to Autumn Equinox

Last week, we celebrated Lammas, the first harvest festival, marking the shift towards autumn. If you missed it, I shared a special edition blog reflecting on this seasonal transition. Now, we begin our slow movement toward the autumn equinox, though Melbourne’s late summer heatwaves are making that feel distant. The land is shifting, even if it’s subtle, and soon we’ll start to see the first hints of seasonal change.

Lammas is a time of gratitude, of acknowledging what we have cultivated, both physically and creatively. As we move toward the equinox, it’s a reminder that balance is an ongoing process, not a fixed state.

Witchy Rituals for Creative Flow: Tea Magic and Intentional Art

I introduced a new series over on Instagram last week, starting with a simple tea ritual: taking a moment before beginning an art session to prepare a cup of tea (or any drink), stirring with intention, clockwise to invite something in, counterclockwise to release. It’s a grounding practice, a way to shift into creative space with mindfulness.

The idea behind these little rituals is to weave magic into the everyday, to make space for intention and presence in our creative practice. Whether it’s lighting a candle before beginning a painting or using a specific scent to mark the start of a work session, small moments of ritual can help us transition into a more focused, inspired state.

There will be more of these small rituals and creative prompts coming soon, so keep an eye out for #LittleWitchyThings and #ArtWitchTips on Wednesday’s. I’d love to hear any little rituals you have.

 Redbubble Store Update: Shop My Art & Upcoming Sale

A quick reminder that my Crow Series and other designs are available in my Redbubble store. There’s another sale coming up—25% off from February 17-23—so if you’ve had your eye on something, it’s a great time to grab it!

I haven’t added new pieces yet, but I’m looking forward to bringing some fresh designs into the store in the coming months.

Final Thoughts: Embrace Your Power and Shine Unapologetically

As this full moon peaks, give yourself permission to rest in who you are, rather than constantly striving to be more. Take stock of where you’re directing your energy and whether it’s truly serving you. And, most importantly, be kind to yourself.

Leo teaches us to shine, to embrace joy, and to take up space. But it also reminds us that confidence comes from within—not from external validation. Take this full moon as an opportunity to step into your light, unapologetically.

Wishing you all a luminous and reflective Leo Full Moon.