By Rev. Amari Magdalena
While it is true that Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow on Imbolc and
blustery Winter is still upon parts of the nation, Spring is starting to
unfold. As the trees display their blossoms
in an array of colors, we are reminded of just what Spring invites us to do: jump, leap, bound, hop, vault! Time to prepare for the male time of year and
gathering energies of the sun.
In seven (7) days we arrive at the Vernal Equinox which is
the time of the balance of light and dark. It is also the entry into a more
energetic time. Now we are inspired to
clean out the cobwebs of our physical location and connect the more active
synapses of the brain towards being outward bound.
Another definition of spring, is a resilient device—something
that can be pressed or pulled yet springs back into shape. Time to come out of the cave centers of our
minds, lose the winter padding, plant new seeds, and shout, Yes! Indeed, it is time to shed the heavy clothing
of winter physically and metaphorically while re-invigorating ourselves and returning
to active life.
As a ceremonialist, I love to embrace this new corridor with
ritual. Twilight is a lovely time to
begin your Spring Equinox Ceremony. Here
are some suggestions for your celebration.
Form a circle in or outside. Have
something to represent each of the four cardinal directions. You may choose from the elements present in
your surrounding. If you are on the West
Coast, then Water is the element to have in your West area. For many in the Northern Hemisphere, heat
comes from the South. Place a red candle in the South area. Next decide on the East and North. If you’ve mountains to the East, place a solid
stone in the East area. In the North, representing air, place a feather. In the center of
your circle, place objects like a cherry blossom branch to represent the
unfolding spring (or daffodils or tulips).
Purchase twelve votive candles to represent the 12 months of
the year; or one for each attendee.
Place all candles along the curve of the West area of your circle. Gather
any other items, totems, talisman, gemstones, fetishes etc. for your circle.
Smudge your circle with a sacred herb or mist it with an essential oil in pure
water that is energizing.
Begin a calling in ceremony.
If you’ve no idea how to do that, my book, Blue Moons and Golden Suns give examples. When you are complete with the 4 cardinal
directions (and perhaps above, below and within), have all people move to the
West. Light candles in the West. In concert, have all people move the candles around
to the East area and say: “Until the
Fall, I move the Light to the East.” If able, leave the candles burning all night
until the dawn the next day.
From here, choose others way to memorialize this Equinox: readings,
meditations, dance, music, a collective creative project etc. Set intentions for what you’d like to experience
under the gathering light. This is the time of beginnings, dream big. Call on Goddess Ostara for guidance and ask
for a personal vision.
Spring Equinox is a festival of revelation, a message of the Sun,
the Song of Songs of the immortal and eternal spirit, which proclaims the
divine, the creative universal spirit. In concert with Mother Earth we discover
our own resurrection through our passion and surrender to the bursting forth of
life. We ourselves are the blazing
bonfires of victorious spirit!
Final Moan of Winter
By Amari Magdalena
Winter
vacates slowly
Sighing
its last raspy breath
Rallying
momentarily
Rage surrendered.
Long her
cold blanket
Lay around
and about
Freezing
out enterprise
Forcing
introspection.
Silent
nights of cold stars
Glitter
above and below
Invitation
to cherish
Stillness
and frozen moments.
Fireplace
flickering
Bundled in
layers of cloth
Keeping
warm an occupation
Soups and
hot cider concocted.
Deep
surrender in center
Cave
seeded as fertile womb
Pregnant
thoughts emerging
Accessing
inner muse.
Clinging
to light fragments
Gathering
luminosity expanding
Silent
chants forthcoming
Heralding
seasons change.
Storms
gathering speed
Blowing
through shorter stays
Appreciated
for impermanence
Affirming
power of change.
Final
throws of ravage
Enclose
dead branches strewn about
Nature’s
pruning evidenced
Siren’s
eerie moaning abates.
Young buds
defying
Illusion
of final completion
Presenting
promise of renewal
Cycles
begin, yet again.
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