Renewal

One of the most exciting things about consciously following a spiritual path is how aware one becomes, especially to the constant changes in ourself and our life. Spring, while being a time to reflect on balance, is also a time of cleansing and change for the better. While it is sometimes difficult to achieve those ends (the body cleansing often manifests as illness, and the soul cleansing can manifest in mood swings or other instabilities) we must keep the end in mind when we find ourselves in the midst of the cleansing frenzy. Taking responsibility is much healthier than blaming yourself for the mess you have to fight through in order to achieve renewal.

This month I am wrapping up the semester, and it has been a bland and irritable one. I would like to look at this month as a cleansing month, cleansing myself of the unwanted projects that detract from the time and energy I have to put into the things that I am passionate about. I am cleansing myself of the professors whose classes did not meet my expectations. I am cleansing myself of the papers and assignments I have let build up in my mind through persistent procrastination during the cold and motivation-sapping months of winter. I look to the end and travel through this month begging for renewal of my spring and summer self.

April is the last stretch of a long cold journy, but it is tempered with warm days and occasional thunderstorms that lift my spirits through the generally sunless weeks. We have rounded a bend, but we're not out of the transformational stages just yet. Patience and persistence are needed to land us safely on the shores of renewal. But when we arrive... there will be no mistaking it.

~Madeline

Merry Ostara~!

On this day of days there is equal light and equal darkness... today is the Vernal Equinox, the first day of spring. Peoples since the dawn of time have celebrated in this span of twenty-four hours; a balance that rings true to our bones, and a joy that is unbound. Winter is gone, long live spring!

Where I am now, two inches of snow fell last night. This morning, I awoke and walked the dogs in a silvery light of white and cold and breath frozen in the air. Yet all around me, I heard the birds and the "drip, drip, drip" of melting snows, and the rush of sap in all our trees, and - beneath my feet - the wick running clean and true into every plant. They are waiting - waiting to spring from the earth into the golden, glorious sunlight.

Today, I celebrate renewal in all things - I celebrate the burgeoning life in the world all around me, and within my heart. Gone are the days of darkness, come are the days of light... the sun is returning to the world, and she brings laughter and joy with her.

I am Persephone, stepping up from the ground, leaving behind the bones of the earth in order to embrace her skin. There is green in and on and all around me, and I am flush with the excitement of new beginnings. Listen to the birds, voices raised exultant to sun and stars, listen to the world, turning to the new season. Listen to your heart as it beats - sure and strong.

Welcome, spring!

~Sarah