Spring (or Vernal) Equinox, also known as Ostara, is one of only two days in the entire year when day and night – light and dark – are of equal length across the globe.
The Equinox is marked by the Sun’s first foray into Aries, the fiery first sign of the Zodiac and the start of the new astrological year. In the Southern Hemisphere, this day corresponds with the Autumn Equinox… head here for more info).
Equinox Dates
Friday, March 20, 2020
Tuesday, September 22, 2020
Why Does the Spring Equinox Matter?
Understood by our ancestors to be a potent portal of power, the Spring Equinox has long been celebrated as an awakening time of growing energy and budding new life. It’s earlier roots begin in many of the most ancient myths and tales about the Goddess regaining her power and fertility after the long months of winter. (Remember the Greek Mother Goddess Demeter, whose daughter Persephone falls in love with Hades and is tricked into staying with him for 6 months in the Underworld? In her despair, Demeter lets all life around her wither and die until she is reunited with Persephone in the Spring when once again, life blossoms…)
This is pretty dramatic (aren’t most Greek myths!?) But these symbolic battles between light and dark, growth and decay, life and (ego) death aren’t confined to the realms of mythology. We all go through them in our own lives too (albeit on less of a global scale!) especially during the winter months, when the collective energies are encouraging introspection and we’re all more focused on doing our inner work.
Spring Equinox marks the completion of all of this.
It’s the breaking point in the cycle of life, death, and rebirth, where light and life gains enough power to emerge and expand. We may not be as connected to the Spirits, the Gods and the Goddesses in our daily lives anymore, but they are still moving through us. Their battles are still being fought and their (and our) triumphs still need celebrating!
Here are 3 witchy rituals to do just that…
1. Birch Tree Boosting Spell
In Spring, we sometimes need a little extra boost to emerge from the slow stagnation of a long winter. Sure, you may have a heap of inspiration and visions for the coming year BUT actually moving from the comfort of the couch to get going on them is harder than you think. Sound familiar? This birch tree boost spell is exactly what you need!
In Celtic and pagan lore, birch trees have long been associated with the Spring Equinox as they’re one of the first trees to come into leaf. Some ancient fertility rites would also involve dancing around and in between birch trees.
What to do:
- Write down on a piece of paper, something you need some extra energy to make happen.
- Go and sit under a birch tree and think about your project. Visualize yourself doing it, and try to embody how you’ll feel when you’ve actually completed it.
- Now bury your piece of paper under the tree, somewhere amongst its roots.
- Leave an offering for the tree. Something like a small crystal, a tiny carving, a beautiful bead, or a piece of cake (trees especially love offerings which are handmade).
- Now ask the tree to offer you a leaf. Take one (it may flutter to the ground in front of you, or perhaps a branch will bob and you’ll feel invited to pick one).
- Place this leaf on your altar, in your wallet, or somewhere sacred to you, as a talisman to give you the boost you need.
2. Cleanse for a day
Not witchy enough? Well, all witches know that the first and most important tool for any magic is… you. Your body. Your presence. Your attention. So give yourself a reboot and do a one day Spring Equinox cleanse.4
Obviously, you know your own body and lifestyle, so tailor this according to what you’re able to do. You could fast completely for sunlight hours, drink only juice for the day, eat only raw for the day, or try cutting out processed foods. OR, if this is too much then simply try to eat intentionally, giving gratitude for the food you are blessed to be able to eat.
The secret ingredient that makes this kind of cleanse more than a simple diet trick is intention. By holding an intention for your cleanse, you’ll elevate it into a magical practice. So perhaps it’s simply to honor your body? Or maybe you want to become more conscious of your cravings? Perhaps your intention is to connect to your sacred self? Or to gain focus and clarity around a particular aspect of self? Whatever it is, getting clear on your intention first is a must. And be sure to write it down, so you can keep referring back to it throughout the day.
3. Invoke the Goddess Eostre
Eostre is an ancient Germanic Goddess of Spring and was celebrated in Europe before her festival became “adopted” by the early Christians as yes, you guessed it, Easter.
If you need a new beginning, if you’re lacking energy or direction and you need a little divine intervention to finally get this year off the starting blocks, then Eostre is your go-to-Goddess. Here’s how to invoke her and with a quick and simple ritual (adapted from the Goddesses and Sirens Oracle Deck, with thanks to Stacey DeMarco at themodernwitch.com)
What You’ll Need
A white candle, some fragrant petals of any kind, 3 eggs, and a mixing bowl.
What to do
- First center yourself. If performing the ritual at dawn, look up at the rising sun and really try to sense the new beginning it offers.
- Light the candle and say:
“Goddess Eostre
You of the Spring and Light
I ask for a fresh start
A new beginning, to take flight”.
- Hold the eggs in your hands and tell Eostre about where in your life you want to start fresh. What do you want? Who do you want to become?
- Breathe in and think about this new beginning, feeling the positive emotions rise.
- Crack the first egg into the bowl and say “I am renewed”
- Crack the second egg into the bowl and say “I am reborn”
- Crack the third egg into the bowl and say “I am transformed”
- Say “Eostre, I feel your energy move through me and I start afresh!”
- Thank the Goddess, sprinkle the petals on the ground as an offering to her and be sure to blow out the candle.
- The eggs are now energetically charges with Eostre’s power so if you like to eat them, cook them up for your breakfast with gratitude. Otherwise, bury them in the earth, covering with soil where they will fortify the soil and symbolize your fertile new beginning.
Now… let’s get the Spring Equinox magic rolling!
What new beginning are you making at this potent time? What intention for change will you set? What transformation are you ushering in?
Share with our community in the comments below!
And wishing you a blessed Ostara!
