Leading With the Heart: Imbolc Fire Under a Leo Moon

The year exhales—and something ancient stirs.

Full moon in Leo at the outset of Imbolc. *Image by Archipix.*

Tonight, the Full Moon in Leo rises like a torch lifted to the chest, asking us to lead not with certainty, but with courage. Tomorrow, Imbolc arrives—quiet, milk-warm, candlelit—marking the old Celtic threshold when the first promise of spring is felt rather than seen. The ground is still cold. The heart, however, knows what’s coming.

This is not the season of loud solutions.
This is the season of heart-led presence.

Leo governs the heart—our courage, our creative fire, our capacity to love boldly even when outcomes are unclear. Imbolc, long honored in Celtic tradition as a festival of light and renewal, reminds us that transformation begins small: one flame, one intention, one gentle tending at a time.

And yes—across the modern world, we still look for signs of whether winter will loosen its grip (hello, Groundhog Day, you quirky prophet). But long before rodents were consulted, people listened to subtler wisdom: the lengthening day, the quickening ewe, the hearth that refuses to go out.

Heart-Led Leadership in Uncertain Times

To lead with the heart right now—whether in families navigating elder care, communities facing upheaval, or souls worn thin by winter—means choosing compassion over control.

Heart-led leadership is not performative.
It doesn’t shout.
It listens.

Under a Leo Full Moon, the invitation is not to dominate the stage, but to stand in truth—warm, steady, human. Imbolc amplifies this message: tend what gives life. Protect the spark. Trust slow growth.

For those of us called to guide, coach, teach, or simply be with others—this is a holy assignment. Leadership now looks like:

Creating safe containers instead of quick fixes
Naming what hurts without drowning in it
Modeling simplicity when the world is addicted to noise

This is the kind of leadership that changes lives quietly—and lastingly.

A Simple, Witchy Imbolc + Leo Full Moon Ritual

(No drama. No clutter. Just devotion.)

🌕 You’ll need:

One white or gold candle (simplicity is sacred)
A mug of tea (chamomile, milk oolong, ginger, or honeyed black tea)
A small bowl of water or snow (if available)
Pen + paper

🔥 The Ritual

Light the candle tonight or tomorrow morning. As you do, say (aloud or inward):
“I honor the returning light, within and without.”
Hold your warm mug with both hands. Feel the contrast—heat against winter air. Let this remind you: life is already moving.
Gaze at the flame for a few breaths. Under the Leo Moon, place one hand on your heart and ask:
Where am I being called to lead with love rather than fear?
Dip your fingers into the water or snow and anoint your wrists or brow, saying:
“I commit to tending what is true.”
Extinguish the candle with gratitude, not urgency. The light stays with you.

Journaling Prompts for the Threshold

Choose one. Or let one choose you.

What truth is my heart ready to stand in this season?
Where have I been conserving my light out of fear—and what would gentle courage look like instead?
What kind of leader do I wish I had right now—and how can I embody one small aspect of that?
What does “enough” look like for me as winter turns toward spring?
What simple practice, if tended regularly, could change everything?

A Note on Simplicity (and Service)

Imbolc teaches us that more is not better—truer is better.

In life.
In leadership.
In the work of guiding others home to themselves.

As we step toward spring, may we resist the urge to rush, fix, or perform. May we instead become lamps in the window—steady, welcoming, unmistakably alive.

The fire does not need to be large.
It only needs to be tended.

Blessed Imbolc.
Blessed Full Moon.
And may your heart lead you wisely forward. 🌕🕯️

This blog has been enhanced with AI