This morning at 3:29am California time, the sun entered 0º Aries, the first sign of the zodiac, initiating not only Aries season but an astrological new year AND Vernal Equinox (in this hemisphere). Aries is the beginning, and we can allow this new beginning to be personally significant by aligning with the energies of Nature at this time.
Equinox (“equal night”) is a time of year when day and night are equal and light and dark are balanced; the sun rises and sets due east and west and crosses the Celestial Equator. This is the perfect time to honor and invoke and implement balance as a practice in life. We can reflect on the ways we spend our time and energy and whether they are in alignment with what we truly value. We can then renew our commitment to make changes when needed, to seek the midline of life when we feel uncertain or uninspired. Balancing effort and ease is a valuable practice to remember.
Vernal Equinox is also Ostara, a holy day in the Celtic/Pagan Wheel of the Year named for the Goddess Ostara, or Eostre, the Goddess of the Red Dawn- the Spring Goddess, whose sacred attendant is the magical hare. It is a time to bless spring seeds and place them in your heart and into the ground. Signs of spring announce that the Light will now begin to reign. The sky pours rain to soak the earth, to resurrect nature from the frozen sleep of winter. The Cosmic Egg of Nature hatches and life emerges enthusiastically from within.
The hare, long associated with the moon, is the embodiment of fertility and an ancient symbol of magic, sacred to Ostara as well as the Faerie Queen. The egg is the primordial symbol of birth and beginnings. The Aries sun calls us to feel a renewed energy, new inner fire and spark, an awakening of dormant creativity or slumbering passion. May we break out of our shells with ignited inspiration and exclaim with lives lived artfully that we align with a radical and wild Nature.
Some simple but meaningful ways to ritualize the Equinox and Ostara:
- Spring cleaning, inside and out, is a great way to express the energy of renewal and new beginnings. Clear out the clutter and stagnation, regrets and resentments, to make space for new growth and abundance. Collect the clothes or other items you aren't wearing or using and donate them. Don't forget that stagnant energy settles into your upholstery, so your bed, couch, chairs etc all need refreshing. When cleaning your home, it is customary to scrub clockwise to infuse the space with good energy for growth, and add positive thoughts, affirmations or mantras. Open all the windows and burn sage or palo santo to clear the old energies out of your space and let fresh air in. Set up a spring altar, with rabbits and colored eggs, daffodils and wildflowers, chocolate bunnies, candles, a cauldron and seeds…
- Plant seeds in your garden or flowerbed, or make a place to grow in containers by a window indoors. Make the already natural act of gardening even more of a ritual by clearing and blessing your tools and your seeds first, set intentions for the seeds you'll be planting so that you can sow in the energies you want to grow with the seeds, and say a prayer or blessing after your planting to protect and enhance your garden, and offer gratitude to Nature and the elements.
- Get a bag of small chocolate covered eggs wrapped in colorful foil (they're everywhere now because Easter is coming, but no one knows Ostara is where it all began!). These little eggs represent primordial eggs of potentiality and intentionality. Hold one egg in your right palm near your heart space and place your left hand over your right. Set an intention for your life, especially around bringing balance or harmony somewhere, and infuse the colored egg with your intention. Do this one or two more times (these intentions should have gravitas, so two or three should be perfect). Now eat your egg! And plant the chocolate egg seed in your belly consciousness. :)
- It is said that only two times a year can one balance an egg on its end, and this is one of those days.
- Think spring cleaning and seeking balance as themes. Sprinkle with gratitude and hope. Enjoy.
Blessed be ~*~
