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.