Tips for Aligning with the Spring Equinox from @SpiritDaughter
Hello, Spring.
On the heels of a very intense zodiac season and a Full Moon in Libra, we are greeted by the warm fires of Aries and the Spring Equinox. Marked by equal day and night, the Spring Equinox has been celebrated for centuries by many civilizations around the globe. It is a time of new beginnings, fresh starts and, of course, warmer days. It also marks the start of the Aries Season in astrology, the first sign of the zodiac and beginning of astrological year. In many ways the Spring Equinox carries the energy of the New Year, when everything is possible and we have a chance to release the hardships of winter.
Here are a few tips to help you harness the energy of this day and use it to make a fresh start in your life.
Walk in the Sun
Enjoy the warmth of the sun by walking, or hiking, around noon when the sun is highest in the sky. Feel the sensations of the warm rays on your face as it flows over the rest of your body. Bask in the sunshine and allow it to remind you of how it good it feels to be nourished by the Sun. Try practicing a walking meditation to fully immerse yourself in the sensations. To practice, take off your shoes, if possible, and start by feeling your feet connected to Mother Earth. Focus on your breath for a moment to settle into your body before you begin. Start to slowly walk in a circle. As you take your first step, exaggerate the movement. Pick your foot up, feel it suspended in the air for a moment, then place it gently down, rolling from the heel to the ball of the foot. Continue this exaggerated movement as you switch sides. Try to become completely absorbed with every minor movement your foot makes. The movement should be slow, taking your full awareness so you don’t lose your balance or start moving out of habit. Continue walking like this for 5-10 minutes as you absorb the sunshine.
Spring Cleaning
Clear out your clutter. Spring is a great time to clear away anything you no longer want, including mental habits and patterns. Take a half day to clean your home and rid yourself of unwanted items. Also take care of things you left for another day, clearing the physical and mental blocks on your to do list. As you do the physical parts of this cleaning, like sweeping your back deck, think about the mental and energetic things you’d like to cleanse away from you. This can be anything from limiting beliefs, old emotions or conditioned habits that no longer hold true for you. Make a list of these things that arise as you move about your home cleaning away old energies. Let the physical activity stir your mental space, breaking free stagnant energy in your environment and within your mind. Afterwards, take the list and safely burn it. Align with the fires of Aries to set ablaze the things you no longer want, and send the energy back to the Earth so it may be composted into something new.
Write Intentions and Resolutions
The Spring Equinox is arguably the best time to set some intentions, as it carries the inherent energy of new beginnings. Use this time to revisit your intentions from the New Year and reaffirm if you still want to commit to them, or if you’d rather start in a new direction. What do you want to bring into your life this year? What energies do you want to call in or create? Write your intentions in the form of bold “I am” statements that direct the energy into your atmosphere. Examples are “I am courageous” or “I am capable of trusting myself.” Then set some new resolutions that will help these intentions develop. They can be in the form of schedules, like meditating every day, or they can be goals for over the course of the year, like learning how to rock climb. Whatever you choose to focus on, fully commit to your resolutions and feel the motivational energy of Aries helping you stay focused.
Bring Spring In
Bring the spring into your home by picking, or buying, yourself a beautiful bouquet of flowers. Consider this a form of self care, and allow it to nourish yourself and your spirit. As you walk past the flowers each day, let them to remind you of the beauty of the planet we live on and the wonderful shapes and colors it brings us. Consider bringing in flowers that align with energy of Aries and fresh starts. Flowers like tulips, amaryllis or dahlias. Red roses are also a perfect flower for Aries, as they make just as much of a statement as the Ram herself. If these flowers don’t appeal to you, then find your favorites. You may even find yourself wanting potted plants that will last longer than a week, or some new cacti that bring in the energy of spring through their vivid patterns and vibrant green coloring.
Socialize
Spring marks the ending of hibernation, as warmer weather draws us out of our homes and expands our energy. Take the time to reconnect with others, and share the energy you’ve been working with during the winter months. It’s natural to want to stay inside when there is rain, snow or fierce winds outside. As the light breeze of Spring comes in, allow it to lead you outside your home and yourself. Plan dates with your friends to go for a hike or a walk. Make a picnic and take it to your favorite outdoor location, as you share your new intentions with others. Even if you can’t get together with your near and dear on the actual Equinox, make plans to get together within the week. Enjoy the the longer days and share in the sunshine with the people you love.
Enjoy this time of new beginnings, it only happens once a year and it’s a wonderful opportunity to truly start a new. Spring reconnects us with the world around us and with nature. Allow these connections to ground your energy and provide a stable foundation for you to evolve. Take up a new hobby, start a project or simply decorate your home the way you envision. Make this time about nourishing your spirit and connecting with others as you journey into warmer days and longer nights.
Jill Wintersteen is the founder of Spirit Daughter and our resident cosmic contributor. Follow Jill on Instagram @spiritdaughter
Photos, from top: @lenitabygrita, @elysialifecare, @sophie.jaffe