Arise!
Let us greet this morning with smiling faces
Hair unbound
Hearts full of glee
Birdsong in one hand
Roses in the other
Let us dance to River’s music
And Earth’s heartbeat
Under quickening leaves
We are full with the promise of spring.
PaganSquare
PaganSquare is a community blog space where Pagans can discuss topics relevant to the life and spiritual practice of all Pagans.
As Spring approaches and we find ourselves at another turn of the Great Wheel, opportunity abounds for making deeper connection to the natural world and Gaia’s greening of it. Gaia is seen as the maiden offering the promise of new life in a womb that is still developing and preparing for what will be birthed in full glory as the summer approaches and the peak of all living things is held in father sun’s gentle hold. It is Her sweet breath that breathes life into what lay in wait to be birthed and it is Her gentle hand that guides the process of renewal.
This time of reaffirming fertility and its progeny of new life marks the Spring Equinox. What was weighted more heavily at the time of the Solstice has now achieved a certain state of balance and equilibrium, before it seesaws once again towards one polarity’s weight. As we look around at our earthly world we can marvel at the cyclical nature of new life, maturity and the eventual harvesting and clearing which renders the ground fallow as quickening awaits its rhythmic cue. We have emerged from Winter’s hold of stillness and illusory death and now stand at the time of balance and the drawing together of what was and what will be in an organized and synthesized manner so that the promise of newly created life may flourish.
Visually, Spring is the time of donning new color, shape and form. Gaia offers up the splendor of her multi-colored cloak as all manner of life bursts forth in texture and hue. The energy of this palette enlivens our being and the call to warmer air and out of doors activities entices even the most reluctant homebody. As life blooms all around you, how will you answer the call to take up the robes of nature’s finery? Where will you invest your energy in renewing what has lain dormant awaiting the gentle push of Gaia’s hand? Will you dare to step into the mantle of the Goddess that she has lovingly crafted for you and claim your place as co-creator in the greening of the world?
I invite you to take a journey with me as the Wheel turns…
The Greening of the Earth Pathworking:
Take a deep breath inhaling and allow the rhythm of your breathing to establish a gentle and regular pace. As you deepen into this relaxed state you shift your awareness to your inner screen. As you sit as observer you see a veil of pale violet mist form in front of you and as it parts you see yourself sleeping peacefully as the energy of the space builds around you. As you turn greater awareness to this sleeping image of yourself you merge to become one with it and are now the active participant. You awaken to find yourself in the middle of a dense and green forest just prior to dawn. You stretch and extend, feeling the cobwebs of restriction opening and giving way. The potent smell of earth fills your nostrils and the soaking heaviness of moisture fills your being as you drink thirstily.
You sense that it is dawn and sunlight filters through tree branches in slender slivers of thread as beads of dew sparkle like small diamonds strung upon the finest silk. You sit up and pull yourself up to standing, again stretching and reaching upwards with breath coming in long deep inhales and exhales. You take a few steps forward and the soft ground below gives ever so slightly under weight of your foot. Your senses are keen and alert and it seems that you can feel every granule of dirt and leave and stone underfoot, despite the padded soles of your shoes. As you move forward, the light grows brighter with each step and you find yourself in a clearing. The ground is still covered in a light bed of thin mossy green and patches of dried grass and you know that this field will be full of flowers and butterflies in just a few weeks. This image flashes quickly before you and then returns to the space of fertile ground that will soon peak.
You close your eyes for a moment and feel the last nip of winter’s cold air pass over you, quickly followed by a warm breeze that is light and airy. You open your eyes and see a few yards ahead of you the form of what appears to be a young girl. The sun is directly behind her and flashes brightly in your eyes, making clear definition difficult. You see that she is approaching you and you take a few steps forward in greeting to meet her.
As you move closer, you now have the impression that this form is not what you thought. There is resemblance to human form, but the energy and lightness of its quality seem otherworldly. As you move closer still you can now discern that this shape of a young woman is the movement and gentle breeze of seed, earth, and leafy grass moving and swirling. You stop and your eyes follow the path of this unusual sight. Every area of the field it touches responds with the bursting forth of small shoots of flower and fragrant grass. Every area it passes over transforms into haven and home for bee, blossom and butterfly. The fragrant breath of tiny buds wafts delicately in the air and the gentle shape of this breezy maiden of flora moves with focus and precision.
You close your eyes and simply rest in this energy of renewal and growth. You feel a gust of wind surround around and know that this maiden of Spring is now enfolding you in her transformative embrace. You feel the movement of her gentle breath clearing away the debris of what has lingered too long and is not of your best interest. You smell the fragrant and fertile earth of planting that is awakening the seeds of potential within you. And, you feel the weight of her cloak of greening as it presses against your skin reminding you that you too are part of this cycle of new growth.
You open your eyes and look down at the beauty of the mantle she has placed about you. Tiny leaf and budding flower are woven into a tapestry of vine and slender root. The smell of new verdant life is intoxication and you revel in the finery that Gaia has gifted you with. You feel the gentle kiss of a butterfly’s wing, fresh from the slumber of its cocoon and you know that another turn of the sacred wheel has been rendered. You take a deep breath in, filling your lungs with the freshness of a Spring day’s promise and as you exhale, the cloak falls away and you are once again standing in the open clearing that has yet to be birthed from Spring’s womb.
You sigh into a deep exhale, knowing that the greening will occur as it has every cycle and that you will be active participant in welcoming the warming tides. A single stream of air encircles you and you know this is the blessing of Gaia and the promise of her transformative magick. As these thoughts flood through you, a violet mist forms around you and the landscape gently fades from your sight. You become aware once again of your inner screen and pull that awareness back into the sensations of your physical state. Each breath of inhalation draws the energy of the space in which you are sitting back to your conscious awareness. And, each exhalation brings focus back to the gentle and easy rhythm of your breath. Continue in this manner for several more breaths, and when you are ready, gently flutter your eyes open and be fully present and enlivened by Gaia’s Mantle.
Blessings of the Equinox and the promise held in this time of balance.
Image: Gustavo Soto
...it’s time for us to celebrate that particularly sacred time, the Spring Equinox, also known to many Pagans as Ostara! Representing the midpoint between the dark nights of winter and the long days of summer, the Equinox is the moment when the Earth’s equator lines up with the Sun. In some cultures it is regarded as the start of spring while others perceive it as the midpoint (with spring beginning around early February and ending in May).
For our annual megapost in celebration of the Equinox we’ve gathered all our relevant content from PaganSquare this year as well as some links from other sites we thought might be of interest. May the coming summer be filled with joy and exuberance for all of you and your loved ones!
-Aryós Héngwis
I offer what I offer
I give what I give
I share what I share
I am who I am…
When planning a ritual involving children, I always have to remind myself to keep it short and simple! Just in time for Spring Equinox, I’d like to share the simple ritual of spring welcome that is perfect for family or a small group of friends. This ritual is designed to be done at night around a campfire and to be followed by a drum circle, but can easily be adapted to day time (perhaps with a fresh flower mandala to gather around instead of a fire). It can take place anytime between March 21 and May 1 and still feel seasonally appropriate.
There are those who pooh-pooh the notion of nostalgia. You can't go back, you shouldn't go back, blah blah blah. But sometimes an urge to recapture one's youth hits, and it hits strong. This may very well be the throes of midlife crisis – but so what? Wouldn't it follow that those who seem to truly age gracefully, who are forever young at heart, indulge in a bit of good old-fashioned silliness now and again? Heck, yeah! That is why I am hosting a Spring Equinox Crazy Slumber Birthday Party this year. Let me show you how:
First, you need to load up on all of your favorite snacks. If this means Doritos and Skittles, so be it. I am going the somewhat healthy route and substituting the organic equivalent of Doritos and dark chocolate covered cranberries for the Skittles. Popcorn is always healthy if you have an air popper (my grandparents' still works from the 80s, for Pete's sake), and there is always no-cal Zevia soda, after-all. No slumber party would be complete without pizza, so I am bringing home an all natural Connie's za. The one thing that will be on hand that I did not have readily available when I was teen, is wine. But if one is going to imbibe, that is the healthier way to go, after all. I also plan on offering up some berry smoothies to sip while we whip up some homemade facials.
Since I don't expect anyone past the age of 20 to attempt sleeping on a the floor in a bag again, I will have spare bed, roll-out futon, or even an inflatable air mattress available, if need be. Also, don't feel bad if your slumber party is small – not everyone may be willing to go there with you. Quality, over quantity is always the better route.
Next up, entertainment. I am still a proud vinylphile, and to recapture the thrill of youth, it doesn't get much better than breaking out the vintage 45s and 33s and dancing with some abandon. If you start to feel amazingly carefree and childish, play a 33 on 78 rpm and let the giggles roll.
Another absolute must: movies! There should be one scary, one comedy, and one iconic coming-of-age flick. Go with what rocked your world back in the day. I myself am opting for the original "Hellraiser," "Ghostbusters," and the forever young, "Sixteen Candles." Sorry "Breakfast Club" fans, but I always thought "Candles" was edgier.
For good measure, and depending on who is game to go the whole distance with you, these activities can be thrown in for good measure: gossiping about boys (these can be celebrity crushes, significant others, or husbands), turning out all the lights and telling ghost stories, a 1 a.m. Jane Fonda workout session (yes, the original JF workout is actually available on DVD on Amazon, leg warmers and all), and perhaps some freshly baked chocolate cake for breakfast because, well, why not? In the age of Caller ID, I'd skip the crank calls, though. Here is the facial mask recipe I will be using, from organicwish.com
HOW TO MAKE AN OATMEAL AND ROSEMARY FACIAL SCRUB OR MASK
3 tablespoons ground oatmeal (To grind the oats just pulse in a blender until you have fine oatmeal)
1 teaspoon ground, fresh rosemary
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon powder
water or milk or cream (see below)
Add oats to a jug or medium sized bowl.
Add fresh, ground rosemary.
For a delicious scent, add cinnamon powder.
Choose which liquid you want to use depending on your skin type: cool boiled water for oily skin, milk for normal skin or cream for dry skin.
Add enough wet ingredients to form a paste with the dry ingredients.
Dampen face, and spread the paste all over. To use as a scrub wash off straightaway; to use as a mask, leave on for 20 minutes before washing off.
The beauty of making your own skin care products is that you know exactly what is in your product, and many recipes, like this one, are made from basic kitchen ingredients. The cost is minimal, but the results are fantastic. Creating your own beauty products as part of an organic lifestyle is fun, entertaining and effective. Enjoy!
At any rate, have a blast at your party. What made your teen sleep-overs that way? Get the wheels turning, and make a list. I promise this will be more enjoyable than the awkward high school reunion with extras you don't care to meet up with again. Totally awesome!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6t1vaF50Ks0
Photo by imagerymajestic from freedigitalphotos.net
...The spring equinox this year falls on the 20th of March. This is a time of youthful exuberance in nature, when all of the green world seems to be springing back into life. March wind and rain may still keep many of us indoors on some days, but if we venture out into the wild we will be surprised by what we encounter. Blossom will be erupted from every tree and hedgerow, and the forest floor begins to be carpeted with primroses and anemones, celandine and of course daffodils, which spring up everywhere along verges and gardens as well as the wild with equal ease and sunny glory.
Mad march hares can be seen sprinting across the brown fields, and boxing off unwanted lovers as the mating season gets underway in earnest. One of my favourite places to see the hares is at Uffington White Horse in Oxfordshire, though they can be found all over the UK. Sighting the hares is a regular part of my spring pilgrimage to this exposed but beautiful ancient site.
...The spring or Vernal Equinox is one of the two points on the agrarian calendar of equal night and equal day. The rabbit and the egg, symbols of Eostre (the Saxon fertility goddess honored at the dawning of spring), bespeak of the same sense of victory over death; in pagan belief, the “death” of winter. Eggs represent not only sustenance but also the potential of new life. Rabbits symbolize endurance and fecundity—a prey animal that still manages to survive, thrive and multiply. Beyond hard-boiled ovum and chocolate hares, the evergreen Yule tree can again lend itself to the festival of the season in traditional ways.
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