Hello Dear Friends ~
Here in the Northern Hemisphere, springtime is upon us! Spring is a time of rebirth and renewal, manifestation and creativity. As we crawl out of our sleepy, inwardly-focused hibernation, we shake off the tamasic (veiled) state of winter and begin to awaken, preparing ourselves for, and anticipating what awaits us in the coming year.
The Vernal Equinox heralds a time of awakening. What do you wish to bring to life in yourself? Are you ready to invite change? Maybe it’s time to start an old hobby again or discover a new one? If you want to make a personal shift, Spring is the time to set those intentions and follow through with actions that will bring them to fruition in the coming months.
One way we can honor our seasonal intentions is through ritual. Maybe your spring intention itself is to create a regular ritual. Everything and anything can be made into a ritual – all it requires is mindfulness and conscious intention. Ritual is important because it is an active way for us to practice being more present and focused. It might be centered around your morning tea or coffee, a nice warm bath before bed or an evening walk. If you already enjoy ritual
practice, perhaps you can add a new element to your existing practice or begin a second ritual at a different time of day.
When you are clear about what you want your spring intention to be, choose how you will honor and manifest it. Some things that will help you be consistent are:
If you have chosen to honor your intention with ritual, perform it at the same time or around the same events each day; e.g. 6:30am or morning coffee, 10pm or bedtime, etc.
Create a sacred space in your home – a place for writing, an area to enjoy your morning tea or coffee, or a space where you have an altar (puja) or arrangement of special objects.
Write your intention down or journal to strengthen the energy around it. Some people create a photo journal, collage, or other artwork to express intention. Keeping a record allows you to see the shifts and changes that occur as a result of your practice. In the future, when creating new and long-range intentions, you will be able to look back at previous years to receive guidance and inspiration.
When starting a ritual, it is helpful to have a time and place to do it. If you’re not sure how to begin, choose a daily habit and endeavor to complete it more mindfully. For example: When you make your morning tea, pay careful attention to the teapot as you fill it. Notice the sounds the teapot makes as it warms up then boils the water. Observe the water pouring out of the spout as it flows over the tea leaves and fills your cup. Inhale the wonderful aromas of the tea as it steeps. Feel the warmth of the cup in your hands. Savor the first sip, warm and flavorful, watching it flow down into your belly, warming you from the inside out. Be present with each sip, witnessing each one. Watch your thoughts and when they wander, gently bring them back to the tea.
Some of us find it easier to begin in the physical, rather than the metaphysical. “Spring cleaning” is a widely-practiced ritual that many households practice this time of year. In addition to clearing out and reorganizing physical space, smudging (using smoke from burning herbs to purify a space) is a nice way to clear any stagnant energy that remains after decluttering.
Smudging ceremony dates back millennia and has been practiced by traditional cultures from East to West. All you need is an open mind and a willing heart to make space clearing a regular practice. Jane Alexander, in her book, The Smudging and Blessings Book, suggests creating your own smudging kit with a smudge stick, candles, crystals and essential oils, among other tools. She offers many examples of smudging rituals, in particular from the Native American tribes of the West. From shielding your home, to birthday blessings and seasonal rituals, Jane’s simple guidance will inspire you to explore smudging.
If your spring intention is to start a meditation practice, you can create an altar that will become part of your practice and over time an expression of yourself. It can be recreated to align with your intentions, the seasons, or to commemorate an anniversary. Anything can be part of your altar – a special photo, crystals, candles, flowers, incense, and even foods. In her book, Your Altar: Creating a Sacred Space for Prayer & Meditation, Sandra Kynes presents ideas from the basis of numerology and ancient spiritual practices from all over the world. She says, “Altars hold objects of inspiration and devotion, personal and sacred, resulting in a space that visibly and energetically links the spiritual and physical worlds and provides clues to our innermost thoughts and feelings.”
Should you feel inspired to smudge or create an altar dedicated to the Vernal Equinox, I offer you this article from Naima Abdi, “Three Simple Rituals for Honoring the Spring Equinox“. Naima gives us beautifully-written, inspiring ideas for honoring the Spring season with smudging, puja and intention-setting.
Spring is the season to plant the seeds that which you wish to grow. Remember to nurture your seeds with patience, compassion and love.
Happy Manifesting!
In Light,
Michelle