Vernal Equinox and New Budding Moon

The equinox occurs at 3:45 p.m. in the Pacific Northwest. From the darkness of Winter I am called to the light of Spring. The equinox is the time of the rekindling of life on the earth, and the renewal of hope and fertility also in our spiritual lives. Today I seek harmony and balance in the amazing energy of this season.

And tonight is the new moon; the Chinese call the second new moon the Budding Moon. This is my monthly time for “seeding” intentions. I write down what I hope to focus on in the next 30 days or so, and then give my ideas a period of gestation, like seeds in the soil, before I take action. Having this regular time each month to focus my goals has helped to give me clarity of purpose.

Agenda Today:

1. Journal:
Spring has always been my favorite time of year, when I feel most creative and joyful. I can feel my energy growing and swelling like the buds on the trees!

What are my hopes for the future? 
What creative paths am I starting down?
How can I better honor all sides of myself? 

List my intentions for the next 4 weeks in these areas-
Self, Friends and Family, Teaching, Artwork, Writing, Home and Garden, Work/Business, and Volunteer work.

2. New Moon Meditation:
Light a small white candle. Center, and feel myself fill with thankfulness for all I have now in my life. Do this each day until the candle is gone.

3. Equinox Prayer:
I will light candles at the exact time of the equinox, and say this prayer as I point to the 7 directions: 

In this moment of perfect balance between day and night,

I seek to be grounded in the center of my being.

I am:

(East) inspired by the crystal clarity of Air.

(South) enlightened by the transforming power of Fire.

(West) renewed by the healing powers of Water.

(North) nurtured by the powers of Earth.

(Downward) supported by the stabilizing energy of below.

(Upward) guided by the Spirit above.

(Within) balanced in the axis of my being.

4. Plan:
As the moon waxes, I expand-- plant seeds, make connections, and begin new projects. This week I will make some plans for creative action.

5. Spring Cleaning:
For the past three months I have been keeping the house basically clean, and doing a few extra cleaning projects when I have the time. In January I cleaned mold and mildew. In February I did some clearing of clutter, and this month I've done a few other tasks. 

Now it's nearly Spring Break for me, my traditional week to clean deeply, and sort out the accumulation of stuff I have collected.

As I begin this process, I consider the symbolism of the cluttered and dirty areas of my home: 

If my desk is messy, is my thinking very orderly? 

Do ancient jars of food on the kitchen shelves connect to undernourishment of my soul? 

Do dirty windows impede my view of the celebration of life? 

Explore my closets: What things have I not used in months or years? Some things are hard to sort through because of overwhelming memories; gifts, something broken I have never fixed, sentimental items. 

What closed up parts of me need reorganizing, resurrection, recycling, and regeneration?

Today I will make a plan, and schedule one room to clean each day. I will put on some fun, lively music, open the windows an doors, and let the sweet green aroma of spring enter our home. Starting in our living room, I will dance my way through the room and-

• Clear out the cabinets and closets. 
• Clear surfaces.
• Clean the floor and under furniture.
• Clean the windows and the curtains. 
• Touch up the paint on the woodwork. 

After a thorough cleaning, we will feel the fragrance of springtime throughout the house, and I will also get the cobwebs out of my head! What a perfect way to celebrate the season- my house, my family and I myself deserve this kind of loving attention. 

6. Decorate for spring: 

Once the house is clean I can put out green and yellow cloths and candles, and a big vase of spring flowers; set out my nests, birds, and bunnies; and plant grass around my egg tree.

7. Burn the Marzanna Doll:
Marzanna is the Slavic goddess of death, winter and nightmares. I've been working week by week on my Marzanna doll. Last week we added yarn and beads, and this week we added feathers. 

The custom of burning and drowning an effigy of Marzanna survives in the Czech Republic, Poland and Slovakia. For many years, this transpired on the fourth Sunday of Lent, but now it takes place on March 21. 

Children in kindergartens and primary schools often take a special field trip to a river to set Marzanna on fire and then drown her! (See this web site for many good pictures and more information.) 

Today we put my Marzanna into the fire: The symbolism is of death and rebirth- burning away the winter so that spring can return.