Spring Equinox Renewal Ritual
Spring is the season of rebirth and renewal, both in nature and in our personal lives. As we move out of the more hibernating days and long nights of the winter season and into the spring, we have an opportunity to mindfully set intentions and goals for ourselves through ritual.
Spring Equinox rituals around the world include planting seeds in a garden, gathering for seasonal feasts, having parties around bonfires, decorating eggs, and much more. It is also a time for mindfulness practices such as watching the sun rise and meditating upon the new energy of this season.
I personally love to engage in a 4 step Spring Equinox Renewal Ritual (that I share with you below). I created it to RECOGNIZE and honor the season before, to RELEASE what drains you, to RESTART the Spring season with clear intentions and setting mindful goals, and to REALIGN through meditation.
4 step Spring Equinox Renewal Ritual
To prepare for this ritual, set aside about an hour of quiet time that is all for you. Turn on some relaxing music or forest sounds, light a candle that smells rejuvenating, and have a pen and paper ready to go.
Step 1. RECOGNIZE what the previous season brought to fruition for you.
In order for transformation to occur, it is important to bring into balance what our previous experiences and moments have shown or taught us.
In this step of the ritual you will be reflecting upon and recognizing what the winter season brought to you. Bring out your journal and take some time to write down your reflections of the winter. List the events that you recall and any particularly special moments. Are their words for the range of emotions you experienced in the winter? Were there any lessons learned about yourself, others, or the world around you? Is there anything you are holding, carrying, that is rising with you that is ready to be released?
Step 2. RELEASE what is draining and not serving you that you are ready to let go of.
To create a clean slate for the spring, it is beneficial and important to shed the layers, the blocks, the thoughts, and the energy that is weighing you down and not supporting you in thriving.
For this step, utilize paper that you can tear up (or burn in a safe space). Reflect and write your answers to the following questions:
Mind: What are the negative thoughts and the self-limiting beliefs that you are letting go of and releasing?
Body: If there is any pain, discomfort, stored emotions, or actions getting in the way of your health and wellness thriving? What are they and what are you ready to release)?
Energy: What is currently depleting your energy that you are ready to set free?
When you are finished writing, fold up the paper and tear it up into tiny pieces then throw them away. Mark this moment in time by feeling the release and really letting go of everything that you write. Celebrate as you tear it up!
STEP 3: RESTART
You have just created a clean slate for your mind, body, and energy. Now it is time to write what you are intentionally creating NEW for yourself this Spring.
In each of the following areas of life, what are your personal goals that will you be pouring your attention and energy into this season? The categories we will be focusing on are: Health & wellness, relationships, career or project fulfillment, and joy.
For each category choose a specific aspect you want to optimize and complete these statements:
In this area of my life (choose the category), my goal is to optimize:
I am doing this because (write your why...how will achieving this make you feel):
I will do this by (write the specific steps you will take to achieve this):
(repeat for each area of life, and feel free to choose your own)
Step 4: REALIGN your energy with a cleansing meditation.
For this Spring Equinox meditation, sit somewhere comfortable. If you are able to get sunlight on your face move outside or find it from of a window. If not, imagining the fresh spring sunshine shining upon you works just as well.
Bring into you mind the words that Spring invokes within you. A few suggestions: refreshed, awakening, enlivening.
As you take your inhales feel yourself drawing the feelings of these words into your body. Let your exhales bring you to deeper relaxation and restoration.
Breathe first into your root (the base of your spine) and slowly draw this light into you as you move up through your lower abdomen, upper abdomen, chest, heart, through your shoulders, your neck, your face, and finally to the very top of your head, your crown.
Feel the energy of Spring within you, embody it.
When you are ready, open your eyes, and welcome in this fresh start and new Spring beginning.
