Spring is here, Now what?
Cultures throughout time have celebrated the Spring Equinox, the returning of the sun and the start of the planting season. So how can we celebrate in our modern time?
What does the Earth look like around you right now? Is it still sleeping? Can you see little flowers? Chances are there are at least subtle (or not so subtle) signs that things are changing. We are in a liminal space right now, the changing of seasons. This can often leave us feeling a whirlwind of emotions and disjointed. While the winter is a time of rest and reflection, the spring is a time of renewal and an uptick in energy. Here in Tennessee, we have so much growth happening. Violet, Daffodil, Henbit, Purple Dead Nettle, Forsythia, Magnolia, Dandelion, and many other friends are returning.
For a few years now, I have mirrored my life with that of the Earth, like our Ancestors did. I can now recognize the subtle shifts earlier and see how my inner world is reflected in my outer. I have more energy and creativity, I want to get going a little earlier, I find myself grounding more, and I move a little slower while outside. I want to soak in all of the changes and appreciate each tiny flower that is blooming in my back yard.
While it would be lovely to have a huge acreage and be surrounded by nature, I am not and you don’t have to be to honor this time. Being in the middle of the city you can still find plant allies and feel the shift by noticing the birds and buds.
So let’s talk about what you can do to celebrate this Spring and feel into the season.
Get your hands and feet in the Earth. It may still be a little cold but even a few minutes of grounding can help you feel more rooted (hee hee) in the season. I like to do this first thing in the morning and again later in the afternoon once it has warmed up.
Sit outside (or at a window) and watch the changes. Our world is so busy and it can be easy to miss the little buds or new birds if we are always going. Sitting with the specific intent of just observing can be powerful for cultivating our relationship to the land and for our mental health. Many say that they can’t stand the silence of nature but often times it is much louder than we think.
Get crafting! Weave the old grasses into decor, carve fallen branches with stories of creatures, pick fresh flowers to adorn your home. Getting hands on and creative can open your eyes to the many wonders beyond our walls.
Fill your stomach. This is possibly my favorite. The fresh spring greens are incredibly nutrient dense and honestly delicious. Add fresh Nettle to a stew, Dandelion greens to a salad, and Chickweed to a pesto. Speaking of, enjoy this recipe of my favorite WILD GREENS PESTO!
Make your medicine. Lymphatic support is the name of the game with the early spring plants. Chickweed, Cleavers, Henbit, Purple Dead Nettle, and Violet are wonderful for making tinctures and oxymels to bring that bright green support through any season.
Watch the sunrise and sunset. As the time shifts, we can feel off and disconnected. Watching the sunrise and sunset helps to realign our circadian rhythm and restore some of that balance. Getting early morning sun can also give your more energy, vitamin D, and help with grounding as well (and it’s a low UV time so no sun burn!).
Redecorate your home. This can be as simple or as ornate as you want. Fill your home with items that bring you joy and remind you of the energy of spring. Add a vase of fresh flowers, change up your table cloth and kitchen towels, buy a new house plant, hang a sun catcher in the window, switch up your candles, and look up some spring crafts (I love pressing flowers).
Spring cleaning. I know, I know, It’s not a fun activity. But remember how nice and fresh it feels after you have reorganized or completed those dreaded cleaning chores (mine is dusting the blinds). Changing your mindset and intention for this specific type of cleaning can be a spring ritual. I recently heard of the phrase “homecraft” and how by tending to your home in the mundane ways, you are directly contributing to the energy of the home. You are letting go of the old and ringing in the new. Your home is your safe haven and switching up a few things can bring in fresh energy and a new attitude on life.
With all of this in mind, don’t forget to rest. With the influx of energy we may be feeling, it can be easy to overwork ourselves and start to pile on all sorts of new, exciting projects. Schedule in rest time and don’t forget to take care of yourself first.
So tell me, what is your favorite spring activity?
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