Spring Equinox Awakening
A participant’s flower mandala
March 20th marked the Spring Equinox and I hosted a workshop at Kula Yoga and Wellness to celebrate it. Taking the time to be in the rhythm with the seasons by practicing a ritual can create a ripple effect for days to come. In my experience, it is in the time after a practice when messages and meanings of the ritual begin to integrate. Even if you weren’t able to attend or have yet to do something for the Spring Equinox, set some time aside this week to honor sun’s full return.
An oracle card symbolizing the vibrant colors of the sacral and solar plexus energy centers
The Spring Equinox marks the time when the sun is at the zenith of the equator. The Northern and Southern Hemispheres are illuminated equally and the Earth has equal day and equal night. It is a celestial holiday, as well, as it is the first day of the astrological calendar in Aries which is the Ram. The Spring Equinox is governed by the direction East.
Winter loosens it’s frozen grip and the sun warms up the soil. What has been beneath the surface begins to emerge with force and might. Vibrant colors sprinkle the Earth as flowers bloom and grass turns green. It all happens so fast and is waiting for us to notice. We begin to linger outside a little longer and come out of our time of reflection and rest. Set your intention for this season by thinking about what you would like to nurture. Use the journal prompt below to get you started.
Once you have set your intention, sit with your hands on your heart. Then wake up your creative spirit by creating a mandala of flower petals, leaves, grass, or anything you can find in nature to have as an altar at the top of your mat. The remnants of this mandala will be used as an offering back to the Earth after your ritual. This symbolizes transforming something beautiful into something different, but just as meaningful. It also teaches us to appreciate the present moment and employ “nonattachment.” Invite movement in the body in a way that supports you in this moment. This could be a short yoga practice or even a restorative one. You get to choose! Perhaps you end your practice with a contemplation on abundance by using the journal prompt below.
The post-workshop offering back to the Earth
Go outside and sprinkle your flower petals on the Earth in a place where people will pass by to bring some extra joy into the season. This is a lovely practice of letting go and sensing into gratitude for all that Earth will continue to provide this year.
