Signs of spring continue to show themselves, trees budding, iris and daffodils are shooting through leaf litter while trees slowly bud as shorter cold days slowly give way to the warmth of the longer ones. Darkness gives way to light.
Interesting thought, though evergreens remain green throughout the year, they behave a little different as spring draws closer. Most rhododendrons of NC remain green year round. They may curl their leaves to protect themselves from the cold, but they still remain green and bloom from March through July. As we witness the varied signs of new growth, hope embraces us with surety of coming spring and with that, all the natural world around us begins to team with life.
Not only do the trees, flowers, herbs share their beauty, but the birds sing their songs of joy for the change to warmer mornings as they announce each new day. Not only do they sing their songs, but we see the males color up to attract potential mates with vibrant reds of cardinals, rich golds of gold finches, and brilliant blues of blue birds. Deer bound through the leaf litter, bears begin to slowly emerge from hibernation, and foxes frolic outside their warm dens with kits in tow.
Even we humans stride with a bit more vigor. We look at seed catalogues, plant seeds, and visit local nurseries to add more foliage to our bits of land whether that’s a tract, a modest plot surrounding our home or a window planter in the city, we look for that connection to the natural world, to sink our hands in the dirt to deepen our relationship with the earth.
The spring equinox, Alban Eilir (Alban AY-lair), March 21-22 is days away, at the moment we are in a middle place between Imbolc and Alban Eilir. That said the beginning of spring, the day of spring is, of course, well known the Equinox the time when daylight hours are equal to the length of the night. It’s that time or date when our sun crosses the celestial equator. This happens twice a year on or about March 20 for Spring and again about September 22 for Fall. For a global perspective, we in the Northern Hemisphere celebrate Spring while the Southern Hemisphere celebrates their Fall Equinox. The Southern Hemisphere’s Spring is September 21-22
From the perspective of Druidry, three celebrations surround this phase in the Wheel of the Year. Imbolc, sprouting with the first growths of Spring, while Alban Eilir marks its more definitive beginnings, and Beltane marks the epitome of the season, before it fully blossoms into the striking evidence of Summer.
Ross Nichols (AKA Nuinn) a former chosen chief of the Order of Bards Ovates and Druids expressed his thoughts on Spring.
“Spring with the Druid movement is at least a triple celebration. One could indeed take it back even to the Winter Solstice, with the rebirth of light. However, beginning with Imbolc or Brighid as the first of a trio, we have the First Plough, the washing of the face of the earth and eight lights because this is a distinctly mother goddess occasion (Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Candlemas in Christianity). So we have the use of earth, water and light.
The second festa is the Spring Equinox, Alban Eilir. Here, in the open air again, if we celebrate at Parliament Hill, we have the use of the Stone of Free Speech (earth), the fire of spring (the censer) and the sword of aither or spirit: and transformed water (wine) is given by the Spring Lady, as well as the atom-seeds for growth.’
Alban Eilir, at the point of balance between Imbolc and Beltane, is at the point of balance too between day and night, and it is a perfect time to open to the quality of balance in our own lives.”
As Nuinn expounded so well about the importance of balance. How can we bring about balance in our lives? We could begin by way of ceremony to honor the coming of spring. This ceremony can be a formal or informal undertaking.
While there are many ways to celebrate and honor the beginnings of Spring, we can keep this simple. Consider creating a sacred space ideally a circle outside in a natural element. This space can have four cardinal points or quarters East, South, West, and North. You could prepare this space before you begin by bringing in tokens such as some early flowers, seeds that you wish to honor or bless, crystals, a small bowl of water, and maybe candles for spirit and incense. More formal celebrations would direct specific locations for these tokens from Druidic, Pagan, and Wicca perspectives.
To begin, quietly enter the circle from the West with a conscious effort to leave your cares and concerns of the outside world behind or outside the circle. As you walk into the circle, open your senses to the elements, then find a seat on the ground, a stump, or seating place. Then, smell the air as it permeates your being, look at the surroundings, the trees, the earth, early spring flowers, listen to and feel a breeze as it embraces you regardless of how light or strong it may be, be especially attentive during this, your Spring celebration the birdsong or rustling of the leaf litter as other inhabitants of the natural world join you, feel the sun warmed earth by touching it with your hands or walking upon it with your bare feet. Feel how your connection with the natural world becomes greater as each moment passes by. When and if it feels comfortable or appropriate close your eyes and say some words of gratitude for what you are experiencing and ask for the Spirits of the land to bless this time and thank them for joining you in your sacred space.
Then open your eyes and stand facing East. Point to the East with your index finger and say. “May there be peace in the East”. Keeping your finger pointed draw a line while turning your body clockwise toward the South. Stop while facing South and say, “May there be peace in the South.” Keeping your finger pointed draw a line while turning your body clockwise toward the West. Stop while facing West and say, “May there be peace in the West.” Keeping your finger pointed draw a line while turning your body toward the North. Stop while facing North and say, “May there be peace in the North.” Finally, keeping your finger pointed draw a line while returning your body toward the East. Stop while facing East and say, “May there be peace throughout the world.” At this point return to a seated position and meditate on your experiences during this time. Open all your senses again feeling how your connection with the earth deepens. Acknowledge thankfulness for Spring with all its wonder and splendor. You could even take a journal with you into the circle to record your experiences.
Since Spring speaks of balance with equal time of light an darkness, seeking ways to bring equanimity into our own life can be an ongoing activity or goal as we move from this place through the Wheel of the Year. Also, seek to connect with trees, flora, and fauna who have perhaps joined you in this time. Invite your etherial guides and helpers to join you, pause, and seek peace for a while, meditating on all the wonders that come to your heart, mind, spirit and soul as you celebrate Spring.
Once you have completed your meditation, close your ceremony. This may be done by first acknowledging and thanking all that have joined you for the celebration both seen and unseen. Then, with open eyes stand and face East once again. With your index finger extended and pointing East express thanks for the spirits of the East in joining you at this time. Turning counterclockwise draw your line to the North expressing thanks to the those sprits as well. Continue the same format for the West and South. Then returning to the East say some words that seem appropriate for you to close the ceremony and express peace and wellbeing to continue throughout the world.
As I mentioned, there are many different ways to celebrate the coming of Spring. What I have shared is a more informal way in doing so.
If you would like to venture further into other methods of celebration, I would encourage you to seek out resources that resonate with you and your path of Earth Based Spirituality be that Druidry, Paganism, Wicca or whatever spiritual endeavor you may feel drawn to.