Hi, friends!
Better late than never - let's talk about the Spring Equinox which occurred yesterday!
We will discuss why equinoxes and solstices were celebrated anciently, how their symbols connect us to the Divine, and what we can do to make this time period more enriching for the soul.
INTRODUCTION
Equinoxes and solstices are celebrated at significant shifts in our seasons, welcoming in a new sense of being and transformation. Equinoxes occur in Spring and Fall while solstices occur at Summer and Winter.
ANCIENT CELEBRATION
Ancient societies across every continent celebrated these divine times, designing their infrastructure to mimic the skies. They mirrored the constellations and fell within exact parameters as to shine particular strands of light to form a design upon the earth. These manifested in equinoxes, certain planetary alignments, and even solar eclipses. It was a way of communicating with the Gods and the universe, the Greater Wisdom, and trying to instill heaven on earth by a mirror reflection - a theme that spanned throughout the ages.
You take the ancient Egyptian pyramids, the temple of Quetzalcoatl, Machu Pichu, (even the mysterious Stonehenge), etc. They were designed with purpose and intention, from their structural design, to the exact location, to their placement and direction. In all of these cultures, we see an initiation and ascension into higher ways with divine beings.
Even the famous structure of West Minister Abbey has sacred geometry and was designed to let light in at certain angles at certain times to represent the four seasons and cosmic matters. For example, the rising of the sun in the east and the setting in the west.
THE SPRING EQUINOX
The Spring Equinox lands on the ushering in of spring. The Northern Hemisphere is releasing the cold and ice, preparing for new growth. It's the start of the astrological new year and the Celtic wheel of the year.
It is a supreme time of year when the world is brought into balance with light and dark, with the changing of times. The concept of the light meeting the dark (the rising of the sun in the east and setting in the west), symbolizes cosmic love, the marriage of the divine masculine and feminine energies in balance.
There's symbolism of the coming of spring which sheds its light, representing REBIRTH, abundance, and prosperity.
The image of labor, breaking through the birth canal and into new life. Becoming free, whole, and one with yourself. It represents shedding an old layer of skin, starting fresh, like a baptism.
The Spring Equinox is an opportunity to allow for healing the hidden parts of ourselves that reside in fear or shame, and releasing it to the universe. It's allowing ourselves to become anew and find joy in setting intentions for who we are after our release. We are no longer bound, expanding beings, more in touch with our souls, Mother Earth, spiritual guides, the Divine, and the hope of the future.
WOMB SPACE
Anciently, the Goddess Eostre was celebrated and worshipped on Ostara or Mabon (the Spring Equinox). It honored the goddess in bringing new life and new beginnings into fruition through the sacred magnetism with their partner. The eastern light rising, setting in the west also represented the sun goddess, or the goddess of the dawn. This goddess was prominently worshipped in many cultures, as she provided the start and the end to a new day.
Through this process of release and rebirth, we see the touch of the Mother among the Earth's elements. The literal rebirth of all creation - from the land, to the animals, to our own beings set back into light. The life and death cycle, her presence at every distinct, yearly transition. The birth at Spring, the rise at Summer, the fall in Autumn, and the death in Winter. We see the gestation period, the labor period, the rebirth, and thriving life. It is cyclical, reminding us of our beginnings, that all leads back to our Mother's womb.
Interesting tidbit: anciently, women created the first instruments, including the drum. The drum mimicked the sound and vibration of the fetal heartbeat - calling us back to the Mother's womb. To Her divine presence.
We can apply this in our seasonal transitions. Here at Spring, we can imagine ourselves leaving this space of darkness, shadow, rest, and slow development in the safety of Her womb. Emerging through the canal, ascension to new light, and into her loving arms; there to stay, embracing the entirety of her soul. Becoming new and transformed, given life by the Ultimate Creator.
HOW TO IMPLEMENT
So how can we celebrate this time?
One thing I've participated in at equinoxes is letter releasing; writing down intentions or things you want to release onto paper (such as fears, pains, shame, systems, past relationships). Then, burning it, sending it to the universe; becoming new and whole as you step into a new version of yourself. You can also create a small altar to place your intentions on, with anything that symbolises the welcoming of spring - such as flowers, herbs, oils, momentos.
A baptism within water, represents coming out of the womb and into new life. Setting water rituals is one method that can bring in the release of winter and the embracing of spring.
You can dye eggs red to represent the fertility of sacred feminine womb, and the release of its offspring into life - as was initiated by Mary Magdalene and celebrated with Eostre.
You can create flower crowns to symbolise life, prosperity, and abundance. Your right as a queen, honoring your sacred feminine energy, standing in the Image of the Divine Mother.
You can participate in what is called grounding, earthing, or forest bathing - walking barefoot upon grass, dirt, rocks. Connecting to the fertile energy and vibration of Mother Earth from the roots of your feet. Allowing for a release of all toxic energies and embracing the rising of earth, or your own inward expansion and new beginnings.
Participating in intuitive dance can allow yourself to free your soul from that which weighed you down, and allow you to expand your being. To tune into your inner wisdom, creativity, ancestors, spiritual guides, and the divine.
You can also participate in gatherings or ceremonies that usually entail Kundalini Yoga or other forms of meditation that helps you release past fears, come into a state of mindfulness, and welcome in a rebirth of your soul on the day or week of.
Your dreams may also be vivid during this time, so you may want to write an intention for bed and do some dream journaling after sleep. You can also set an intention with meditation and allow yourself to go to an in between sleep phase, invite a spiritual guide or ancestor, and then journal.
You can also take time to start up some seeds and grow plants. Anything that may have to do with plants and water.
You can release negative energy and make space for new energy, even by moving around furniture or tidying up your space.
Anything that allows you to become anew may be of use at this time.
Retreats are a great space to participate in these modalities. Small plug: for the first time this year, I will be directing a Stepping Into Our Feminine Retreat. Together as women, we will be releasing our intentions, participating in intuitive dance, meditating, and connecting to ourselves, the Divine, and the nature around us. There are no more spaces available for this summer, but there are many other great resources I can turn you to, below.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, we can see that the origins of the Spring Equinox, and motioning in of new birth can be traced to ancient cultures and its connection to the Divine Mother. We can allow this time to be a healing process for us, to let go of past grievances and pains that weighed us down. We can connect with our Divine Mother and the step into new birth. There are many forms of modalities we can participate in to usher this in.
There are beautiful accounts and resources listed below that can aid in your celebration of the Spring Equinox.
I hope you had a beautiful Spring Equinox yesterday, and if not, I hope you take time to welcome in Spring and the Mother through this transition period.
Warm regards,
Krystal Barnes
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RESOURCES:
Instagram:
@goddess_rising
@treeoflifestudio
@wombenwellness https://www.instagram.com/reel/CqBX2hVpKut/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
@SarahJenks https://www.instagram.com/p/CqAtGe6O5e0/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
@mymetaphysicalmaven https://www.instagram.com/reel/CqBaqbTOjRK/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
@likerofwords
@sacredancestry https://www.instagram.com/p/CqD2Pzmvkxv/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
Locations / Gatherings
Tree of Life Studios in Payson @treeoflifestudiosutah
Purify Wellness Center in Pleasant Grove @purifywellnesscenter
The Tipi with Rachel Harvey Jones www.racheljones.life
Women's Circles
Sacred Daughters of Utah
Utah Women's Circle @utahwomenscircle
Boise Moon Circles @boisemooncircles
Retreats / Conferences
Stepping Into Our Feminine Retreat
The Connected Soul Retreat in Boise
@connectedsoulretreat_boise
DFW Divine Feminine Events @nataliejeanneart and @her.scriptures
Rachel Harvey Jones Retreats www.racheljones.life
Sarah Jenk's Retreats
Her Infinite Worth Retreats
Sasha Hapiton Sedona Retreats
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