The Spring or Vernal Equinox always falls somewhere between March 19th - 21st, & represents the blossoming of Spring in the Northern Hemisphere. This 2024, the Spring Equinox takes place @9:06PM MDT Tuesday 3/19/24. In the West, we are typically told that the Vernal Equinox marks the start of Spring, but it is actually thought to represent the height of Spring in many spiritual traditions. We forget that Spring truly begins with the whispers of life that begin to stir underground in February. Imbolc signifies this early start of Spring. The Spring Equinox is when Spring begins to emerge from its slow awakening that is sparked with the fires of Imbolc. The Equinox is when Spring becomes visible to us.
The Spring Equinox, also known as Ostara, is one of the 4 solar festivals of the 8 celebrations of the Wheel of the Year! Ostara pays tribute to the pagan fertility goddess, Eostre. Ostara invites in renewal, rebirth, reincarnation & regeneration. This time of new life & growth is why we paint eggs, an ancient pre-Christian tradition. This is a time for manifestation, rebirth, & immortality. The Equinox also symbolizes a time of balance & equality, with equal day & night. Night & Day, Light & Darkness, Yin & Yang.
Brief Altar Ideas: One simple way to rejoice is to create or refresh your altar. Place the cardinal directions/elements on your altar - North (Earth), East (Air), South (Fire), West (Water). I provide elemental offering ideas below (+specific symbols of the season), if you're unsure of where to start. You can also add any magical objects/tools to your altar - pendulum, divination cards, bones, salt, herbs, wands, etc.. Don't forget to cleanse your space!*
Offerings for the Elements + Directions:
Earth / North: acorns, crystals, herbs, pomegranates, flowers, eggs
Air / East: feathers, incense, bells, dandelions, smudge sticks (mint, cedarwood, flowers, etc.)
Fire / South: green/purple/yellow candles, clear quartz or citrine spheres, mirrors
Water / West: mister spray, shells, water, oil, jasmine, water crystals (aquamarine, turquoise, etc.)
Symbols of the Spring Equinox:
Acorns: a sacred symbol of sisterhood with a deep rooted connection to the archetype of the Witch, the acorn represents connection, magic, luck & fertility
Persephone & Pomegranates: a symbol of fertility & mortality, the balance of life & death. This fruit is also featured in the Eleusinian Mysteries as Persephone descends into the Underworld, signifying the "death" of summer as we prep for the barren, cold months ahead. Luckily, Persephone, the goddess of Spring, is reincarnated at the Vernal Equinox along with the flowers!
Aset: Aset, more commonly known as Isis, is the Egyptian Goddess of regeneration, magic, & reincarnation! A reminder to follow your intuition, bringing in the spiritual tools from your past lives. Transmute your deepest fear into your greatest strength. Goddess Isis is typically portrayed holding an ankh, the ancient Egyptian symbol of life
Eostre: a Germanic/Norse Goddess deeply connected to the symbols of eggs & rabbits, which represent birth & renewal. She is connected to the crops & the colors purple, green & yellow
Herbs: lemongrass, spearmint, rose, iris, violet, jasmine, honeysuckle, tansy, lavender, fennel
Fae: faeries are typically seen as air spirits, & air is the symbol of Spring in ancient Celtic traditions & beyond. Learn more about the Fae ritual below & leave your faerie friends offerings of milk & honey this Spring! *no iron based crystals, Fae will take offense*
Hares/Rabbits: these creatures are known to produce rapidly, symbolizing fertility, fortune, & abundance!
Eggs: a symbol of fertility, the womb, & the Cosmic Mother.
Honey: a symbol of connection to spirit, ambrosiac bliss, abundance, fortune
Maiden: the maiden represents the innocence of Spring with the joy that new, young life brings to the planet.
Air: the traditional Celtic element of Spring, representing growth, renewal, change & fresh life!
Wood: wood is the Taoist element of Spring, representing growth, renewal, change & fresh life!
Aromatherapy: aroma connects us with our nose, a part of our respiratory system, connecting us deeply with breath & the air element. Breath & the air element come through the heart chakra, connecting us to love & life force in return. Spring is a great time to make aromatherapeutic mists to invite in the Fae & delight the senses!
Crystals for the Spring Equinox:
honey calcite
citrine
turquoise
blue kyanite
moss agate
tree agate
flower agate
silver
diamond
clear Quartz
A Simple Ritual:
With Spring comes the expansion of light, casting out darkness. This is a reminder that love overcomes all. A time to let go of what no longer serves you, creating space for the renewal & fresh opportunities that arrive with the blossoming of Spring! Welcome love, light, empathy & compassion!
Enjoy my Spring Cleaning aromatherapy blend to clear out the stagnant energies of Winter, & invite in the changing tides of Spring with help from the Fae! Cleansing Mist recipe & ritual below:
Ingredients
7 drops lavender essential oil - healing, love
4 drops lemongrass essential oil - cleansing, renewal
4 drops fennel essential oil - rebirth, motherhood
1.5 fl. oz. distilled water - purifying, clearing
0.5 fl. oz. witch hazel - cleansing, banishing
2 oz. spray bottle
bell
Blending Method
blend your lavender, lemongrass, & fennel essential oils together first
add your essential oil synergy to a 2 oz. mister bottle
add distilled water
add witch hazel
place the cap on 2 oz. bottle & shake well
Ritual
open up all of the windows in your home
ring your bell to awaken the energies of the room
spritz your Spring Cleaning Spray 3 times, reciting, "I cleanse this space & bless this place."
repeat steps 1 & 2 in every room/closet throughout your house, apartment, office, etc.
optional: welcome in the helpful Fae of light to bring abundance this season of Spring, but only welcome those who love you unconditionally, upholding light & harmony.
The Spring Cleaning Mist is inspired by beloved herbs of the Air Fae & goddesses Blodeuwedd & Brigid, this spray is filled with magic, making your space clear & light. Call in healing & purification!
I don't know about you, but Spring has become my favorite season with the deep greens that the rains of Colorado bring to the prairies & mountainscapes. Enjoy this season of renewal, embracing change! And, always feel free to comment with any shares or questions. May you find balance & peace in your life.
Looking for holistic clean beauty & body care products that you can trust? Check out the Embodied Ambrosia Clean Beauty Collection in the Shop! Clean beauty line dropping this Spring 2024.
*How I clear my space: I typically clear my altar & wipe it down with either lemongrass or cedarwood essential oil. Next, I will either spray a smudge blend I've made, or burn one of the following: sage, palo santo, cedarwood, or resin of dragon's blood / frankincense (keep your windows open when smudging).
Sources:
Hinds, K. & McColman, C. (2020). The Spirit of the Celtic Gods & Goddesses: Their History, Magical Power, & Healing Energies. Weiser Books.
Hopman, E. E. (1995). A Druid's Herbal for the Sacred Earth Year. (1st Edition). Destiny Books.
Lafranque, S. (2020). Moon Energy: A Practical Guide to Using the Lunar cycles to Unleash Your Inner Goddess. Skyhorse Publishing.
Lister, L. (2017). Witch: Unleashed. Untamed. Unapologetic. (1st Edition). Hay House UK.
Starling, M. (2022). Welsh Witchcraft: A Guide to the Spirits, Lore, & Magic of Wales. (1st Edition). Llewellyn Publications.