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The First Day of Spring – A Time for Balance

What does the first day of spring mean for us?

This year the spring equinox in the Northern Hemisphere is Wednesday, March 20, 7:02 a.m. Eastern Time: a day of equal balance of the hours of light and dark before the sun continues its journey towards longer daylight hours and warming temperatures.

The equinox energy is strong for four days before and after March 20^th, giving us time to bask in the opportunities and lessons it brings.

THE SPRING EQUINOX IS NOT JUST ANOTHER DAY 

Ancient cultures throughout history have celebrated this time of rebirth of Mother Earth. But what does it mean for us? 

The earth is comprised of 70% water and, on average, so is the human body.  That alone is a giant clue as to how interconnected we are.  What happens to the earth’s energy also happens within us, therefore we can experience more harmony if we work with the earth’s cycles instead of ignoring them.  It’s not just another day.

Here are some of the aspects of the Spring Equinox and how we can incorporate it into our own lives to help us better communicate with the spiritual forces of the earth.

BALANCE 

The equal hours of day and night represent balance:  a balanced life is a healthy life.  Do you eat enough healthy food? Drink enough water? Get enough sleep?  Exercise? Play?

Remember that “all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy” and that applies to us Jills too.  We won’t get adrenal exhaustion if we have enough play in our lives.

RENEWAL 

The earth starting to green up represents renewal: clear out the old to make space for the new.

Let your spring cleaning be more than just vacuuming and dusting.  I have had a longing the past few days to clear out closets and drawers to pass on those things I no longer use or wear regularly.  A good rule of thumb is: if you haven’t used it in the past year, let it go.  Let your local shelter or non-profit thrift store benefit.

Holding on to your old “material stuff” is also a representation of holding on to your old “emotional stuff.”  Be courageous and start the process of release and renewal.

If you have sage, smudge your entire house.  Or you can use essential oils such as lavender to refresh and renew the home.

And don’t just clean your house.  Clean the earth around you. Why not go for a walk this week and pick up trash along the side of the road?  The earth spirits will thank and bless you.

There’s no dishonor in cleaning up after others who disrespect the earth.  We are all earthkeepers.  My father, who was no tree hugger by any means, once picked up an empty bag of McDonald’s nutrients that he saw tossed from a car driving through a parking lot.  He then took a shortcut to meet the car on the other side of the lot, stopped it and said, “excuse me, I think you dropped this.”  Way to go, Dad!

RESURRECTION

What was dead [the earth by all appearances in this part of the country] comes back to life.

Start the process of renewing your heart and mind by cleaning out the garden and planting something new. This is also the time to clear out the old growth and dead leaves in your garden and ceremonial areas. Bless your gardens with cornmeal or tobacco or a simple prayer.

If you have no outdoor gardens, bless your houseplants.  Let them represent inviting the green to return and bring goodness and abundance into your life.

GRATITUDE

Give thanks for all the joys, gifts and lessons of the winter; for all the good things springing up around us. Give thanks for what you have and trust the Universe to continue to bring you more of what will serve your highest good.

Make a special meal and put some on an offering plate to be put outside for the nature spirits.  This is an age-old gratitude prayer practiced by indigenous people all over the world to give thanks for the food that we eat, another gift from Mother Earth.

CELEBRATE

Celebrate the return of light and green and goodness.  And dance as if no one is watching while you’re at it.

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[note: This post first appeared on March 18, 2012]

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