As the Earth awakens from its wintry slumber and the days grow longer, we find ourselves on the cusp of the Spring Equinox. Spring Equinox has been revered as a sacred day since time immemorial, and it is celebrated by many ancient cultures and modern practitioners alike. Known by various names such as Ostara, Eostre, or Alban Eilir, this pivotal moment marks the balance between light and dark, heralding the arrival of spring. Rooted in pagan traditions, the Spring Equinox embodies a profound spiritual significance, symbolizing renewal, fertility, and the eternal cycle of life.
Our ancestors honored this celestial event in ancient times with rituals that celebrated the Earth. Pagan cultures such as the Celts, Norse, and Germanic tribes celebrated Ostara with feasts, dances, and offerings to the gods and goddesses associated with fertility and growth. It was a time of cleansing and purification, symbolized by the tradition of spring cleaning and the burning of herbs such as sage and frankincense to cleanse both the physical and spiritual realms.
In Greek mythology, the equinox marked the return of the goddess Persephone from the underworld. In Germanic tribes, it served as a celebration of the goddess Ostara, or Astara, the goddess of spring, who was often accompanied by a rabbit or hare and pictured with a crown of flowers and a basket of eggs. Ostara was considered the perfect time to request her blessings of fertility, fresh starts, and abundance.
Many of those ancient traditions are still practiced today as part of modern-day Easter celebrations. When you dye eggs, participate in egg hunts, or enjoy an Easter Bunny visit, you unknowingly participate in ancient pagan practices that honor the Earth and the Goddess of Spring.
At its core, the Spring Equinox represents a harmonious balance between opposing forces, embodying the eternal dance of duality within the universe. Occurring when the sun crosses the celestial equator, day and night are of equal length, mirroring the equilibrium between masculine and feminine energies, yin and yang, and life and death. As the Earth tilts towards the sun, nature awakens, bursting forth with new life and vitality. It’s a time of growth, manifestation, and embracing the infinite potential within each of us.
This Spring Equinox, let us honor the ancient wisdom of our ancestors, reconnect with the Earth’s rhythms, and embrace the magic that surrounds us. I’d love to invite you to honor the magic of the season of rebirth, fertility, renewal, creativity, and abundance by creating your very own Spring Equinox ritual, which you can perform solo or with a gathering of loved ones. I’ve included a few of my favorite traditions to inspire you. Please feel empowered to make them your own and embrace your own inner magic.
Clean, Clear, and Cleanse
Perhaps you feel the urge to do a spring cleaning each and every year around this time. It’s so magical how ancient traditions become ingrained in our very spirits, as though generations of our ancestors are living vicariously through us even now.
Spring cleaning is traditional to Ostara or Spring Equinox, and this year, I’d love to invite you to take your ritual a step further. It’s the perfect time to clear out old, stagnant energy. First, do a physical clean and get rid of any items around your home that are causing you to feel cluttered, chaotic, or messy. It’s the perfect time to repair or repurpose broken items in your home and donate things that you no longer need. You can even make it fun by hosting a swap with your community – perhaps an item that you no longer want is just what one of your neighbors is looking for!
Once your physical purge is complete, it’s a good idea to cleanse your home energetically. Smoke cleansing is a traditional way to energetically cleanse a space that remains popular. You can use herbs like sage (please ensure that it is responsibly sourced), cedar, or mugwort. Incense is another popular choice. You can even use your favorite essential oil and diffuser, as long as you take a moment to set an intention to rid your space of negative energy before you turn it on.
Floor washes are another widespread practice among modern mystics. You can mix together a combination of cleansing herbs like rosemary and sage and stir them into hot water to steep. Add this special tea to a bucket full of warm water and white vinegar, and then use it to mop the floors of your home for physical and spiritual freshness.
Once your space is good and clean, take some time to cleanse yourself. You may choose to indulge in a beautiful ritual bath with your favorite flowers and herbs, or simply take a nice long “everything shower” in which you perform your favorite multi-step skincare routine. Taking a few moments to practice self-love and self-care ensures that you enter the new season feeling your best.
Create a Spring Equinox Altar
Creating a witchy altar to celebrate this sacred time can be a beautiful way to welcome the changing season. Begin by arranging representations of the elements: a bowl of water to symbolize the flow of emotions and intuition, a vibrant candle to embody the warmth and passion of fire, a cluster of earthy stones or soil to ground your intentions, and a feather or incense to honor the airy realm of ideas and communication. Invite the spirit element by incorporating sacred symbols or images that resonate with your spiritual practice, such as depictions of goddesses or sacred animals.
To infuse your altar with the essence of spring, adorn it with fresh wildflowers, blossoms, and budding branches, symbolizing fertility, growth, and creativity. Place cleansing crystals like clear quartz or selenite to purify the energy and invite in fresh, vibrant vibes.
Embrace the outdoors by creating your altar in a natural setting using all-natural and biodegradable materials. Craft your sacred space using fallen branches, leaves, and flowers, ensuring that your offerings won’t harm local wildlife. As you commune with nature in this way, you’ll deepen your connection to the Earth and honor the cycle of life, death, and rebirth that spring embodies.
Egg Painting
Egg painting isn’t just a fun activity for children—it’s also a meaningful witchy ritual that can bring families together to celebrate the spring solstice in a magical way. Instead of reaching for synthetic dyes, consider using natural ingredients to create vibrant hues that connect you to the Earth’s energy. Gather the family and embark on a foraging adventure to collect flowers, berries, and herbs that will serve as your palette. For example, infuse your dyes with the vibrant petals of marigolds for a sunny yellow, the deep hues of hibiscus for a rich pink, or the earthy tones of spinach for a gentle green. As you simmer these botanical treasures in pots of water, infusing them with intention and gratitude, you’ll be reminded of the beauty and abundance that spring brings.
Once your natural dyes are ready, it’s time to immerse your eggs and watch as they transform into works of art. Encourage creativity and expression as you paint symbols, sigils, or images that resonate with the themes of rebirth, growth, and renewal. As the colors blend and mingle, visualize your intentions for the coming season, infusing each stroke with the magic of your own inner light. Whether you display your enchanted eggs on your spring altar or share them with loved ones as tokens of abundance and joy, this witchy spring solstice ritual is sure to become a cherished tradition for the whole family to enjoy.
Start your seeds
Spring equinox is a beautiful time to begin prepping a garden. In many parts of the Northern Hemisphere, it’s still too cold to put seeds in the ground, but you can absolutely start some sprouts indoors so that you’re ready to plant after the risk of frost passes. In addition to your favorite medicinal herbs and nourishing veggies, consider starting some native wildflowers with the intention of growing a pollinator garden to benefit the bees and butterflies! Witchy bonus points if you choose to plant by the moon phases!
Spend time in nature
One of my favorite ways to celebrate Spring Equinox is to simply spend time outdoors. It may still be chilly most days, but this is the perfect time to witness nature as she awakens from the deep sleep of winter. Notice how creatures like birds and small mammals are more active. You might notice birds building nests in the trees, preparing to usher new life into the world.
Look closely at the trees and notice how they’re beginning to grow little buds that will transform into flowers and leaves as spring moves forward. If you wander through the forest, you’ll likely see some of the first spring wildflowers emerging, too! After a long winter spent mostly indoors, nothing is more refreshing than soaking up some spring sunshine and breathing fresh air! Plus, spending time in nature helps boost all of the feel-good hormones in our brains, so it’s a great way to help shake off any lingering seasonal depression.
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