Inner Space: Spring is Here!
Reflections, images, feelings and rituals for this season (+ unrelated things I love this week)
It’s hard to choose a favorite season. They are all so special in their own way. Each with a unique energy and offering. I like to live my life by the seasons (which admittedly is challenging now that I live in Mexico). Taking each of their energies and applying those principles to my life, my routines and practices. It’s a beautiful way to live more in tune with the rhythms of the natural world. I find they present a flow that makes sense. In summer, the energy is lively and vibrant lending to more social plans and adventures, while in winter, the energy is quiet and reflective, an opportunity to go inward, to spend time nurturing ideas and dreams. Spring is the season of possibility, awakening, renewal. It offers hope, optimism and aliveness after the darkest, most dormant season. It’s hard to choose, but spring is my favorite season.
Maybe it’s my favorite because of the flowers or because I was born in spring. The flowers are the hallmark of this season. With their remarkable resilience, flowers are the perfect balance between delicate and strong. In spring, we watch as crocuses burst through the impacted earth and daffodils withstand early spring snow. They bloom and die with grace and effortlessness. And we too bloom in concert with the flowers. We come alive in spring. We remember all the possibilities that exist in front of us. Our senses wake up. We smell the sweet fragrance of flowers, hear the melodic song of the birds, see bright colors emerge from the thawing earth. It’s a season of transformation, of resurrection, of new beginnings.
Today marks the Vernal Equinox. Vernal means “of the spring”, “new” and “fresh,” and equinox derived from the Latin aequus meaning “equal” and nox meaning “night.” On this day, we experience a balance of day and night, equal amounts of light and dark. It marks the turning point when daylight begins to take over the dark, and the North Pole begins to tilt toward the sun once again.
Almost all ancient cultures and civilizations have rituals and celebrations around this sacred day. Many cultures even built temples and sacred sites in accordance with this day. On the equinoxes, the Mayans gathered at the pyramid of Chichen Itza, which they designed to produce a serpent of sunlight (Kukulkan) descending down the stairs at the exact time of the equinox and about 30-minutes following. At Angkor Wat, the morning of the equinox, the sun rises exactly behind the pinnacle of the central tower, the most sacred point of the temple.
Physically we are experiencing a shift towards more light in our days, which in turn sparks a change in our creative energy. Spring is the threshold to summer. It’s in between stillness and activity. We are awakening from winter, but we are taking our time. Spring feels giddy but not overly excited. It’s a last moment of respite before the tornado of summer’s energy takes us. There’s a softness, an angelic energy, in its curiosities.
This season is a beautiful time to birth new ideas, projects, life paths into the world. It’s a season for putting yourself out there. To present what you’ve been working on to the world. What will you birth this spring? What do you want to embody? These can be physical, material things you are launching or they can be new identities, new roles you are trying on. Whatever it is, let spring awaken within you the possibility of all your goals and visions coming true. Know that you deserve and can have everything you dream. Write it down. Shout it out. Moodboard it. Let it be known. Spring is here to support you in manifesting whatever you desire.
Some rituals + practices for Spring:
+ Create an altar in your home
Build an altar that represents new beginnings and what you want to cultivate this season. Keep fertility in mind - not just the generic sense of that word, but the opportunity, the potency, the abundance you want to manifest this spring. The altar can be as simple (2-3 items) or as elaborate as you’d like. Incorporate your favorite spring flowers, a picture of a beloved deity, crystals for abundance (citrine, tigers eye, rose quartz), and any other special items you’d like.
+ Incorporate cleansing of some kind
Spring is a good season to shed and cleanse. Whether you incorporate dry brushing, commit to daily magnesium baths, splurge on an infrared sauna blanket (I have one, and I’m obsessed) or take a couple weeks or months off alcohol and/or sugar, releasing of some sort allows us to make way for what is to come.
+ Try a new form of movement
This season is all about freshness. Maybe you’re sick of your same old exercise routine, try a somatic movement class, that spin class you’ve always wanted to try but have been too timid, or whatever movement calls to your curiosity. Don’t let your mind talk you out of it, channel your inner child that was bold and unafraid.
+ Rearrange a room/space in your home
Spring is the perfect time for rearranging or reorganizing spaces within your home. Go through your closet and donate unwanted clothes. Switch up the layout of your living room or bedroom. Refinish or paint a piece of old furniture to give it a new look and feel. Get some inspiration here.
+ Host a floral themed brunch/lunch
This season we come out of hibernation. Celebrate by hosting some of your friends or family for a floral-themed meal. Choose a spring color palette and create a tablescape that represents this new season. Serve this Rose-Grapefruit Fizz and/or these Pistachio Thumbprint Cookies with Rose Cashew Cream. If possible, garnish finished dishes with edible flowers.
Unrelated things I love this week:
Finished this book in 4 days. So good.
My Omnilux LED Face Mask that I use daily. ALISON10 for 10% off until March 31st only! All my skin and body care faves here.
My creative guide, Laura, shared this article with me. Everyone has it, you’re not alone.
This is hands down the best aluminum and baking soda free deodorant I’ve ever used. I’m obsessed.
After all these years, I’m still in love with my WALTER water filter (use code WUWALTER for 10% off!) that uses the Berkey Black Filters. Especially after listening to this podcast all about water.
A problem without a problem. More on that.
Really feeling this granny chic home.
This plant-based protein powder. And I don’t even like protein powders.
Beautiful! I loved reading it and seeing the gorgeous imagery.
Loved your eloquent description of Spring!