3 Rituals for the Spring Equinox

Spring is a time of renewal, freshness and potential. Staying attuned to seasonal shifts and incorporating elements of nature into my daily yoga practice keeps me in alignment with gentle wisdom of the natural world. Here are 3 of my favorite rituals to harness the energy of spring:

Plant a Seed
Seeds, eggs and budding flowers are a reminder of the potential for new life. Take a cue from gardeners and sew new seeds of intention. The energy of spring makes it a great time to get clear on what you want to make happen- it could be a goal for this month or an overall theme like patience or devotion. To plant that seed in your mind, set aside 20-30 minutes to journal about what you want to create, why, and anything you can do to get started. Then take a handful of seeds outside and cover them with dirt. Envision these small seeds, so full of potential, as symbols of your biggest dreams. Even a magnificent redwood tree began as a tiny seed.

Watch the Sunrise & Sunset
There are two times of year with equal parts daylight and darkness: spring and autumn equinoxes. With equal parts light and dark, we find balance within ourselves, acknowledging both our positive and negative aspects. Take some time to journal on your characteristics. Without judging yourself, bring to mind one of your darker traits, an aspect of yourself that you tend to hide or feel ashamed of. Consider how that habit has served you in the past. Reset your attention on a positive attribute, one that you'd like to see more of, and set a clear intention to embody that quality going forward. What would your life and your relationships look like if you acted on this positive trait more often? Watch the setting sun as a symbol of old patterns that fade away and the rising sun as a reminder of rebirth and a new way of being.


Spring Cleaning
What needs refreshed in your life? Spring brings a breath of fresh air to the world and inspires us to clear out clutter from our homes, our bodies and our minds. Clean out your closets. Fill your home with fresh flowers. Diffuse or wear essential oil of jasmine to increase openness, or cypress for grounding and cleansing. Eat more greens, grapefruit, asparagus and seasonal produce. Participate in a cleanse to detoxify your body. Consider what thoughts, patterns and habits no longer serve you and replace them with more positive responses. All of these actions represent shedding the old and making room for something new to enter.

Wishing you a spring full of inspiration, joy and new possibilities!