Celebrating the Spring Equinox
This isn't going to be your typical "How to Celebrate Ostara" post. There are hundreds of those all over the internet and they are extremely helpful for learning the Celtic and European associations for the Spring Equinox. But the Spiral Path blog exists to try to help you develop a more personal practice that is unique to you. The important thing to remember is that your personal practice should complement and highlight the things that are significant to you.
So let's address some questions that you can answer in your personal Grimoire, Journal or Book of Shadows that will help you with creating an intentional Spring Equinox or Ostara tradition.
How do you already Celebrate Spring?
Let's start with an easy question. What are some of your favorite ways to celebrate Spring? Is it taking photographs? Going for a walk? Are there any particular Spring activities that you look forward to each year? Such as gardening or attending spring events around town? Remember, if it is important to you, it's important to your practice. And you can turn these things that may have felt mundane before into a significant and intentional part of your Spring Equinox.
Here are some ways I celebrate Spring:
Hanging wind chimes on the porch to attract rain, and give the wind spirits something to play with.
Putting out birdseed in feeders or hanging hand-molded seed bricks made with peanut butter and honey. The birds are returning and there may not be enough food for them.
I go for hikes to enjoy the new life sprouting (even if there's snow, usually you can find some here and there).
Put Spring events on my calendar that I want to attend in town.
If it's warm I will do art on the porch instead of in my office.
New Growth
What are some projects, intentions or goals that you have for the next 3 months in your life? Write them down somewhere and label them 'Spring 2018' These are going to be what you're manifesting this season. This should be a page that you can look back to during the next few months to remind yourself what you're working towards and what motivates you!
Some things you could add to your New Growth page are:
Affirmations regarding the goals (Affirmations are positive, present tense statements that encourage you to succeed).
Some ways that you can continue to manifest your intentions. This is known as the practical action side of affirmations and manifestation.
Things don't happen without action. Figure out what your actions will be to bring about your goals! Just as the plants are starting to sprout outside, so you will start to bring your goals into the world.
Inspiring photos/magazine sections/pamphlets etc that represent your goals.
Your Spring Associations
There are the typical associations with Spring: bunnies, baby animals, eggs, birds, flowers, etc. But what represents Spring to you? Tap into favorite spring memories, the things about spring that make you feel playful, filled with joy, and inspired about the future? Remember there are no wrong answers.
Consider:
Colors you associate with and enjoy about spring. No, it doesn't have to be pastels if you don't like pastels. Reds and other intense bursts of color can also represent Spring. Find the ones you like the best.
Imagery that represents spring. You can take nature as inspiration, but you don't have to. If you are a lover of baseball, then maybe spring training is something you associate with Spring! Use that in your decor or in your practice if that's important to you.
Foods and dishes served in the spring. What are your favorite spring vegetables? What about your favorite deserts with spring fruit?
Balance
Balance is a major theme during the two Equinoxes each year. Today we have absolutely equal hours of darkness and daylight. You can defer to this symbolism to help you find balance in areas of your life where you need it.
Reflect:
What are some things you feel like you have no time for?
What are some things you spend way too much time on?
How can you rebalance those things to make you feel more empowered in your daily life.
What are some unhealthy habits you have that you may need to readjust to be more balanced? Write these down, journal through them. Self-awareness is a big part of pagan perspectives.
Real Talk
I personally have to tackle this regularly. Every season of every year I struggle to find balance and make sure I'm being healthy. I use bullet journals and habit trackers and even the app, Habitica, to keep things straight. The important thing is to keep self-awareness but to also be gentle with yourself for not being perfect all the time. No one is. But we can use the two equinoxes as markers to check up on our habits and activities, and maybe make some adjustments that will keep us finding joy and health in our daily existence.
Allow room for growth and play
Developing a spiritual practice is a process and an organic one. It will change and grow as you do. Don't let the fear of imperfection in your Spirituality keep you from developing a practice. Allow yourself room for play and silliness, and adding things that maybe no one else but you will find importance in. It is still important. Because it is important to you. Carve out space to celebrate the things that you find joy in, and above all to celebrate yourself this Spring. You are growing into the best version of you all the time!
💙 Elisa
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