Spring Rituals for Renewal By Louisa Dean
T
raditionally, it is said that the spring equinox is the date on which light and dark are equal, so it is perfect for rituals that involve addressing the balance in your life. After a long, dark winter, life is stirring and the wheel is beginning another turn, giving us time to contemplate renewal and rebirth. And what better way than to start the new season with a couple rituals honoring renewal. This is why “spring cleaning� is such a popular task this time of year! Walking Meditation A great way to embrace the changing season and make way for a sense of renewal is to do a walking meditation. Ideally, this will be done barefoot and on grass or soil to absorb the renewed energy from the earth and to root yourself down into the ground. Find somewhere quiet where you will not be disturbed or distracted. Take your shoes off and stand with your feet hip-width apart. Close your eyes and spend 5 minutes concentrating on your breath, bringing awareness to your body. When you are ready, begin walking at a very slow pace. Feel the sensation of your feet touching the ground, pay attention to how your muscles move and focus on the beginning, middle and end of each step. If your mind starts to wander, bring it back
to your breath and notice the sensations of your steps on the body. Try to do this for at least 15 minutes to feel the benefits of it. Altar Cleanse Spring cleaning the home is one way of embracing the seasons, but another is to spend some time spring cleaning your altar. The spiritual center of the home, your altar deserves just as much care and attention when it comes to cleaning. Begin by removing everything from your altar. If you have an altar cloth, put it into the laundry or handwash it. Thoroughly clean the altar space by dusting and polishing it. If it is made from wood perhaps use some oil or wax to treat and nourish the surface. Cleanse the space around the altar by burning some incense or if you prefer not to use smoke, ring a bell instead. Spend some time carefully cleaning each item before you place it back onto your altar. Remove items that no longer serve a purpose and decorate your altar with items that reflect the new season and the rebirth that comes with it. New Moon Spell Spring is the perfect time to harness the potent energy of the new moon in Aries on Tuesday, March 24th. This powerful combination will give a huge boost to any
27
