Vernal Equinox Ritual to Welcome Spring

Vernal Equinox, the start of the spring season on March, 20th, 2018 in the Northern Hemisphere (fall equinox in the Southern Hemisphere), marks the day when day and night are of equal length.
As nature moves from cold and darkness to light and warmth, we feel the potent energy vibrations of new beginnings, possibilities, dreams, renewal, growth, and transformation.
Since ancient times, the Earth Goddess Eostre, was celebrated for bringing new life and fertility on vernal equinox, which was formerly known as Ostara.

To welcome spring and to fully harness the surge of new possibilities I offer you the following ritual for your consideration.

1. Preparation – gather all items ahead of time

• Flowers
  In the days leading up to the equinox take a walk in nature if the weather allows.
  Take in the sounds of the birds, the colors of the trees, and become aware of the new season just a (few) day(s) away. What comes up for you as you leave winter behind? Is there anything that you would like to leave behind too? Maybe you like to stop worrying so much, release some tension or stress from your body or mind. Just notice. Reflect on the magic of nature and it’s natural rhythm and bounty. When you come across some wildflowers like daffodils, crocuses, or primroses, pick a few for your ritual, collect some birch branches, or simply buy a bunch of fresh flowers that represent spring to you. Place the flowers in a vase.
• Food
  Purchase foods that represent spring, like fresh sprouts, green leafy vegetables, herbs, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, strawberries, and optional organic spring dairy products like butter, cheese, eggs, or milk. You may even like to bake a special treat for your ritual.
• Crystal
  Select your favorite crystal. Some great crystal recommendations for spring are Sunstone, Carnelian, Celestite, Moss Agate, Peridot, and Jasper. Stay tuned for my upcoming article “5 Crystals For Spring”!
• Candles
  Get 4 candles, same or different colors.
• Aromatherapy 
  Select your favorite floral essential oil (rose, neroli, jasmine, geranium, lavender, etc.), Beware of any contraindications!
• Notepad/Journal and pen 

2. Ritual Preparation (on the day of)

• Spring Clothing
  On the day of your ritual wear any clothing that makes you feel like a Spring Goddess (or Spring God). The the traditional colors for spring equinox are white and yellow but just wear anything that brightens your mood.
• Sacred Space
  • Find a room in your house or go outdoors to a place where you will be undisturbed.
  • Set up your candles in a circle, representing the circle of the year as well as the four cardinal directions of north, south, east and west.
    North represents the energy of the Earth, South the energy of Fire, East the energy of Wind, and West the energy of Water.
  • Place your flowers in the middle of the circle.

3. Ritual

• Candles
  Light your candles in a clockwise direction, keeping the wheel of the year and the elements of the directions in mind.
• Discover 
  Take a few moments to walk or dance around your circle and then sit down where it feels right. Listen to your intuition. Where did you end up sitting? What do you associate the element or cardinal direction with?
• Short Meditation
  Sit comfortably and have your crystal and your essential oil next to you. Begin by closing your eyes and taking five deep, long, calm breaths.
• Yoga
  On your next inhale reach both arms forward, interlace your fingers and stretch your palms away from you while keeping the spine long. Stay here for a few breath, as if waking up in the morning, give yourself a nice, big stretch, and then reach both arms overhead, keeping the fingers interlaced if available. Otherwise separate your hands shoulder width apart.
  Inhale and twist from above the waist to the left, stay for three breaths, then turn back to center.
  Change the interlace of your fingers, and with your arms up and overhead twist to the right. Sit up tall and breathe deeply into your belly. Stay for three breaths and then bring your palms to touch and gently lower them in front of your heart.
  Close your eyes for a few moments and feel within.
  
• Aromatherapy
  Place a drop of your essential oil between the palms of your hands and rub the palms together. Now close your eyes and cup the palms of your hands gently over your face. Inhale and exhale deeply. As you take in the floral fragrance of your oil notice what comes up for you. If you like write down any insights.
• Journaling
  Take your journal and pen and think about what you would like to rebirth about yourself. Remember what came up for you on your walk in nature. All those qualities you want to leave behind? Now write down all the things you wish to improve about yourself, or your situation. Be as clear and precise as you can be. Place the paper in the middle of the circle next to the flowers.
• Crystal
  Place the crystal between your hands and activate the powerful energies of the crystal by charging it with all the rebirth qualities and intentions that you set for yourself.
  Keep holding your crystal until you are complete. When you are ready place the crystal on top your paper in the middle of your circle.

      Asatoma Chant
AUM
Asatoma sat gamaya
Tamaso ma jyotir gamaya
Mrityor ma amritam gamaya

      Translation:
Lead us from the unreal to the real
      From darkness to light
      Lead me from death to immortality