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The Three Sisters - A Practice for Imbolc

Writer's picture: Chrissie MowbrayChrissie Mowbray

"Feed the people, feed the land, and feed our imaginations, telling us how we might live."— Robin Wall Kimmerer


At Resilient Practice, we often discuss the importance of maintaining our personal power rather than giving it away to the external environment. We are wise if we do not allow our sense of well-being to depend on external validation. When we rely on approval from others, we hand over responsibility for our emotional state. Likewise, when we are hurt by criticism or feel unseen when our efforts go unrecognized, we allow others to determine our sense of worth.


Cultivating a strong inner sense of self-approval strengthens our resilience. What others think of us is ultimately a reflection of their own perspectives, yet we often interpret their judgments as a measure of our acceptability within the tribe. From childhood, our psyche has associated rejection with threat to survival, leaving us vulnerable to the fear of not being approved of. By fostering self-acceptance however, we reclaim responsibility for our own journey, recognizing that no one else can ensure our well-being—just as we cannot be wholly responsible for that of anyone else, even our children.


According to Diana Cooper, detachment is a prerequisite to enlightenment. This does not, however have to lead to isolation. As humans, we thrive on connection, and community nourishes us. While we may strive to be self-reliant, true resilience comes from balancing independence with meaningful relationships. The goal is not to sever connections but to engage with them in a way that enriches both ourselves and those around us. There is a profound difference between a need for validation and simply appreciating the joy that arises when we are appreciated. Similarly, the comfort found in a reassuring hand or a knowing glance from a trusted ally is not a sign of dependence but a testament to the power of human connection.


Imbolc, a time for planting seeds and setting intentions, offers a beautiful opportunity to reflect on these themes.

Last year we shared with you the ancient practice of planting three types of seed to grow together who's yield is greater when planted in this way than when harvested separately. It demonstrates how our differences when we are brought together as a community contribute immeasurably to the strength of the community as a whole. We would like to revisit the ritual at this sacred time of turning of the wheel from Winter to Spring to symbolize the planting of ideas and setting of intentions as we embark on the coming season of profound growth.

During our recent Drum Circle, we gifted our community with three seeds, inspired by the Three Sisters—corn, beans, and squash—an ancient Indigenous agricultural practice described in Robin Wall Kimmerer’s Braiding Sweetgrass.

The Three Sisters have thrived together for centuries, demonstrating the power of reciprocity and interdependence. Corn provides a structure for the beans to climb, beans enrich the soil with nitrogen, and squash spreads its broad leaves to protect the ground from weeds. Each plant supports the others, flourishing as a collective in ways they could not achieve alone.

Though we may never fully understand how Indigenous wisdom uncovered this perfect synergy, it serves as a reminder of the benefits of intuitive knowledge, collaboration, and mutual care.

In community, as in nature, we all have unique gifts to offer. When we bring our strengths together with others, we create abundance and resilience. The Three Sisters do not compare themselves, nor do they compete; they simply serve and support one another, thriving as a result.


Explore this:

You will need

  • Corn, bean (runner beans work well), and squash seeds (opt for a smaller variety if planting in a pot)

  • Compost or soil

  • A pot, planter, or a patch of ground

  • A space with shelter, water, and light


Setting Your Intention

Approach this planting with mindfulness. Let this be a practice in presence and connection. Engage all five senses and immerse yourself in the moment.


  1. Prepare the soil: Fill your pot with compost. Take your time. Breathe deeply. Notice the scent of the earth, its texture, its warmth.

  2. Hold the seeds: Run them through your fingers. How do they feel? Smooth? Dry? Cool? Listen to their faint rattle. Inhale their scent.

  3. Plant with care: Gently press each seed into the soil, feeling the connection between your hands and the earth. Water lightly.

  4. Place with love: Find a warm space where your seeds can rest and grow until the risk of frost has passed and the plants are hardy enough to be moved into a larger, cooler place. Set the intention to move them outdoors when the time is right.

  5. Let go and trust: Breathe deeply and embrace the quiet knowing that life is stirring beneath the soil—simply because you planted a seed.


This practice reminds us that growth takes time, patience, and care. Like the Three Sisters, we are stronger together, nourished by the connections we cultivate.


For more insights and tools to enhance your journey of self-exploration and resilience, check out our book: How to Rise: A Complete Resilience Manual

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