Category Archives: Equinox

Spring Equinox 2022

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“It doesn’t interest me where or what or with whom you have studied. I want to know what sustains you, from the inside, when all else falls away.”
― Oriah Mountain Dreamer
 
 
The Spring Equinox is always a time of emergence and awakening. This year is full of paradoxes, contradictions and uncertainty at a much wider level as the whole world is being challenged.
There is an increased sense of restlessness and collective anxiety so a good spring clean of every aspect of our lives can be very grounding and healing. The start of the equinox is the best time to undertake this mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually. Looking at our metaphorical tool box and learning from the past year  – what has been helpful; what doesn’t work anymore; what do we need to refine or discard; is there enough space for new tools to emerge and develop?
 
As days become warmer, lighter and longer, distractions can creep in – therefore it is useful to factor in time on a regular basis to reflect to avoid making snap judgments and decisions. Distractions can leave us open to coercion and lose our sense of self, being seduced by a need to be part of. Questioning our motivation for being part of groups, even if they appear to resonate including spiritually, can be helpful.
 
Themes for this equinox are discernment, authenticity, self-honesty and self-reflection. Allowing transformation to take place without using self-will, not forcing it to happen either ourselves or by others. It feels that throughout these three months we will be reminded that situations are not necessarily exactly what they appear to be. There are also strong reminders not to force our opinions on others. Take time to assess situations. Is this genuinely how I feel? Work towards a sense of wholeness and unity by repairing fractures within ourselves. 
 
What are we presenting to the outside world? Acknowledging franctures within ourselves is the beginning of the journey towards peace. Are we literally hiding, avoiding or are we taking time to reflect, build up stamina? We are being faced with wider territory than we think and for that we need stamina, learning to harness our energy. For some the sense of fight or flight will be obvious for others subtle even imaginary which will overwork our adrenals; for others there may be subtle aspects of denial and illusion. It feels important to clear any old triggers in our psyche or daily niggles before we reflect/meditate as these can effect what we perceive as our truth.
 
This Equinox is equally about forgiveness and loving kindness towards ourselves and others. With Spring comes rebirth.

You may find using this meditation on Forgiveness useful over the three months of the Equinox

https://vimeo.com/687910581

Autumnal Equinox 2021

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Autumnal Equinox 2021 
Walk as if you are kissing the Earth with your feet. ~ Thich Nhat Hanh
 
This time of year is about change and within that process striving for balance bringing in the harvest of the year. The weather can be unpredictable as we do this, mirroring other aspects of our lives such as emotionally, physically, mentally and spiritually. As the past 18 months, or so, has highlighted uncertainty, there may be a tendency to seek diversions as a strategy exacerbated by a surfeit of different opinions, anger, whirling around us. Therefore it may be helpful at times to buy oneself time as opposed to avoidance  –  keeping an open mind and being clear, discerning, about ones own values – not easy. 
 
Staying grounded, focused and practical are going to be vital. From the outside might even appear impartial. One minute we are going to have a sense of the bigger picture and the next a sense of confusion, mood swings, a need for personal survival. It will be essential to clear any dross from our minds, bodies and spirits in order to attain clarity through our higher minds. Some useful analytical questions might be: do I have conflicting values within myself; do I have any misplaced loyalties; what are my ethical standards – do I expect the same from others or accept the differences; where am I restless and have a need for freedom?
 
During the three months of this Equinox, we may feel we are travelling far with a new found energy and persistence. Before we embark on this journey, do we have a feeling that we will be returning home at the end of it or is that unknown or is home a place within ourselves? Our sense of curiosity and, at times, our passion may be difficult to control reminding us to focus and stay grounded. It can be helpful to take reflective pit stops, meditate and reevaluate our primary purpose. Are we heading somewhere we haven’t been before? What are we learning in the meantime? Are we listening to a wake up call to change? We are being given a chance to eventually attain unity but first of all we need to achieve that within ourselves.
 
This Equinox is full of questions. Perhaps the most important one is “am I walking as if I am kissing the Earth with my feet?”

 

Spring Equinox 2021

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Spring Equinox 2021Spring Equinox

Any ritual is an opportunity for transformation. To do a ritual, you must be willing to be transformed in some way. The inner willingness is what makes the ritual come alive and have power. Starhawk

The Spring Equinox heralds new beginnings and a time of change. It is always a time to prepare the earth for fresh growth and to nurture the new, perhaps fragile, life that is already beginning to appear. It is also an opportunity to weed and prune. This also applies to every aspect of ourselves. What do we keep, what do we let go of physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Reflection over the past year can highlight the action we desire to take.  For many, the lessons over this period have been significant together with an understanding of the importance of nature in all its forms. It can be our greatest teacher; full of rich wisdom and the reality is – without it, we wouldn’t exist.

This Equinox, in particular, a message seems to be about ‘growing up’, taking personal responsibility. We have had an opportunity to understand our own truths and what authenticity means to us whilst still living beside others. However, an extra sense of survival can result in being headstrong, secretive about plans for the future. Paradoxically, there may be a tendency to then be too gregarious, dogmatic – unaware of the effect on others. There is definitely a lesson to be had of balance and focus, internally and externally. Not easy when the energy of Spring can be full of excitement, restlessness and wonder. There’s also a gentle reminder at the start of the Equinox that our personal moral compass can be vulnerable, equally it is important to acknowledge our reserves of inner strength as a counterbalance.

Finding some form of ceremony is helpful at the beginning of each season and particularly the Spring Equinox to support us in our sense of purpose and to connect with our priorities. Ceremony is very personal so the following is simply a suggestion and consists of five stages within a meditation:

  • The first stage is naming and releasing  what we no longer desire within ourselves.
  • The second is naming and releasing our inappropriate behaviour towards others and the world around us.
  • The third is about setting our vision for this season and in this case for the year.
  • The fourth stage is deepening the meditation to connect with what we need to help us achieve our vision. This may not become clear straight away and may evolve over the next few days.
  • Finally the fifth stage is a living one during the following three months as we live the intent we put out to the Universe in the ceremony. During the ensuing seasons you may wish to adjust your intentions as your experiences change.

This time of change can bring about healing and joy as we advance into the Spring. Humour and fun are also part of this season.

 

Autumnal Equinox 2018

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 ‘Collaboration has no hierarchy. The sun collaborates with soil to bring flowers on the earth. ‘ Amit Ray

The Autumnal Equinox is always about bringing in the harvest and gathering seeds. The weather is often unpredictable. This applies not only physically but spiritually, emotionally and mentally. Collaboration and clear communication is vital to timing. Timing is vital to positive outcomes. Collaboration is the main focus of this Equinox whether it is within the family, friends, communities and in the wider world.

We are living in turbulent times and there can be a sense of inconsistency, indecision and misunderstanding leading to arguments and discord, especially when fear and anger are out of balance. There is a deep desire to change the world we live in but this Equinox there is definitely a message that this needs to be tempered with grounded logic – not easy when high emotions are evoked and a love of power within the ego can be sometimes disguised as “being right”.The paradox is using visionary skills through peaceful contemplation and being practical at the same time.
 This time of year is about balance and as Leonard Cohen said “There is a crack in everything, that is how the light gets in”. Throughout the day we can find that crack, disappear for a few minutes, release any overwhelm, and recharge spiritual batteries through our spiritual practice. By doing this we can see things with more clarity, flexibility and perspective. Again a paradox regarding our discernment over our passions and spontaneity when taking action.
There is a strong sense that we are at a tipping point in the rite of passage we have been experiencing for quite some time and change is inevitable. What that change will be is our responsibility individually and collectively. Forgiveness, respect and collaboration seem to be the keys to loving resolutions.