“It is spring again. The earth is like a child that knows poems by heart.” ~ Rainer Maria Rilke

For everyone who lives in the Northern Hemisphere, Spring Equinox is just around the corner, on March 20th-23rd.

The Wheel of the Year in the Celtic/Pagan traditions turns towards the potential that is bursting from its respite in the Underworld. Winter is past and Light has returned to rule the day.

I don’t know about you but I have been feeling the quickening of energy that happens when the days become longer and hope wells up in my heart for what is to be.

At the Equinox, day and night are of equal length. Balance is a key lesson derived from the first day of Spring. We have been teetering about in vulnerability and full of questions since February 1st and the Festival of Imbolc. What began to stir in the soul after the long dark days of Winter is now ready for full expression.

So much has transpired since then, I feel like I have lived a lifetime. We survived Mercury’s Retrograde, a Solar Eclipse and a Full Moon. All these planetary events have primed us for a blossoming along with the cherry blossoms and daffodils.

As anxious as I have been the last few weeks, not knowing where all my emotions were leading me, Spring Equinox is now taking me by the hand and leading me towards a full expression of my creativity.

Our Mother, Gaia, is readying for her most creative period of the year. In spring, Gaia wears her most effervescent gown. She dips her paint brush into the softest of colors. She unfolds into the dream she has been incubating all the dark days preceding, and delights us with the gifts of potential.

“She turned to the sunlight, and shook her yellow head, and whispered to her neighbor: “Winter is dead.” ~ A.A. Milne

I like to take her cue, and unfold with her.

Because just like in nature, when the sap begins to run and the trees drink from the well of life, I also feel my blood circulating in anticipation of new adventures.

Our bodies are primed for cleansing foods, our minds are awake to re-inventing ourselves, our souls are inspired—there is no better time for forward movement than in spring.

I’ve been feeling empowered, excited, too motivated to sit still! I’ve been awaiting the right moment to birth new visions, and finally, after walking through many tough days where I questioned my abilities, spring is here to join me on my quest.

I often look to nature to teach me about motivation. When Spring comes, She does not question her decision to become life itself. There was time before to rest, to gather resources. But once her time comes, like the laboring woman, she cannot turn back from her most beautiful destiny.

And that is how I find myself, no longer the questioner, no longer unsure. Now I give myself permission to be the queen of my own future, allowing all the energy I have stored up since Winter Solstice to give the final push, and I step into possibility.

Without a doubt, spring is the most fertile time for birthing new ventures.

If you like to work with Gaia’s energies, then follow the wheel of the year as it waxes and wanes, allowing each season to guide you on your journey.

At each Equinox, Spring or Autumn, we are faced with a balance of Light and Dark. In this moment, opposing forces that we struggle with—our conscious and unconscious, our inner and outer natures (what we show to the world and what we hide)—come to a welcome knowing that there is nothing to fight, we are all things, and life is not a race, but a willing walk down a path that is not always clear.

Now is the time to be brave.

Now is the time to take that leap into the abyss—the one that guarantees nothing but the full expression of your life force. But birth is like that. There is no going back to simply wishing. Just do it!

Here are a few things to help you along the path:

Sacred Stones to Play with at Spring Equinox:

Celestite: Try this crystal to inspire hopes and dreams

Quartz: Use to encourage positivity. I’m especially drawn to yellow stones at the Vernal Equinox, and lemon quartz does the trick.

Carnelian and Amber: Two more crystals that radiate increase in energy and positive vibes.

Ocean Jasper: If you can get your hands on some of this, it’s a very beautiful gift from the earth. It’s great for thinking up limitless possibilities!

Crystals can be used in spells, as aids in energy work such as Reiki—lay on the chakras, or simply to hold when feeling uncertain, or in need of earthy companions.

Essential Oils for Spring Anointing:

I like to diffuse quality, organic essential oils in the house at springtime to clear old stuck energies.

Try, Clary Sage, Lemon, Grapefruit, Coriander, Grapefruit, Geranium, Orange, Lavender.

Tea for Clearing:

Good any time of the year but especially now, try making your own Ginger, Lemon and Honey tea.

Simply slice a few fresh pieces of ginger into a pot filled with water, and bring to a simmer—10 minutes should do. Serve with a slice of lemon and some unpasteurized honey.

Activities Natural to the Vernal Equinox.

You guessed it: spring cleaning!

Not only of those dusty, over-filled rooms and cupboards, but anything that no longer serves you emotionally, physically or spiritually.

Also, tap into your inner child and paint some eggs. These can be part of a center piece for an Equinox brunch, allow with pussy willows and a vase of tulips and daffodils.

Create a banquet of spring foods—try asparagus quiche, a salad of fresh greens and a potato/leek soup.

Make a bonfire and greet the first sunset of spring outdoors, bring your drums and rattles, poems and songs.

The winds of change are blowing! It’s an intense time, it’s your time.

Blessed Be.

~

Author: Monika Carless

Editor: Caitlin Oriel

Image: Pixaby