Growth and renewal, and the promise of spring
Entering a new season and embracing our phase of experimentation (your spring reflection guide inside!)
Hello, beautiful friends!
Today, we enter spring. As it usually is, this change of season is welcome. After a long, dark winter season, the lightness and brightness of spring ushers in feelings of refreshment and hope.
Spring is the most hopeful of the four seasons. We are on the upswing, entering a phase of growth and renewal. As we look outside, things are blooming and moving and rocketing toward newness. On the inside, we might be feeling that way, or we might be feeling exhausted or left behind or ready to wind down.
We have to always be accepting of the season that we’re in. There’s always an opportunity to match the feeling of the outside seasons, but we might be feeling something different. And that’s okay. It’s time to ask yourself — what is it time for? Is it rest, or experimentation, or action, or reflection?
If it feels right to stick with the theme of the season, spring is the larger season for experimentation. During winter, we were resting and restoring. We were deciding what seeds to plant, and it’s during spring we actually plant them. Some may flourish and grow, and some may lay dormant. Some may need to be pruned back at the end of the season, and some may never reach their full potential. And that’s wonderful, too. It’s about observing and seeing what makes sense for you.
When it comes to experimentation, we get to stay curious about what comes next.
In the Northern Hemisphere, spring begins (today!) on March 19, 2024 with the spring equinox. This day marks the halfway point between the winter and summer solstices. It’s the day where we are halfway between the darkest and lightest days of the year; marking the midpoint of the upward trajectory of the year.
Spring is a season of evolution, blooming, and experimentation. It’s a halfway point where the energy is moving upward, but hasn’t reached a peak. We’re still figuring out what’s next, and that’s exciting. Let’s lay the groundwork.
The equinox occurs because of the tilt of the Earth; in our planet’s 365 day (ish) complete trip around the sun, this is the day where the sun passes over the Equator. It feels like a moment of equilibrium and balance, as we straddle the idea of solemn, quiet winter and busy, excitable summer.
Just like winter, spring continues to get brighter as it goes along. The light and temperature increase, as does the energy. There’s only room to go up from here; the question is, what intentions do we want to set? What do we want to speak into the universe?
Some themes of this season are:
Experimentation; trying out ideas you’ve cultivated during winter before committing to them as goals
A refreshed mindset
Wiping the slate clean
Inner tending
Crafting something new, or recommitting to old ideas
Within spring, honor the larger seasonal themes of experimentation and newness, while also observing the three zodiac cycles within the three-month season. Just like how we observe rises and falls of energy within our weeks and days, we can see this rise and fall within the season at large:
Aries (March 19-April 19) is about jumping into the season feet first, with fire and action-taking for your experimentation.
Taurus (April 19-May 20) is to get realistic on what feels good, to be productive around what you want to commit to.
Gemini (May 20-June 20) is where you finish up your commitments and proclaim them to the world, running into summer with confidence.
Rituals for your spring equinox celebration
As you mark the spring equinox (today, or in the days to come), I love adding a ritual. Rituals are any sort of action that marks an opening or closing of an event. It doesn’t need to be anything fancy; a ritual can be something you every day. It’s an action that demonstrates intention — a purposeful choosing and marking of that passage of time.
Some ideas for marking this passage of time:
Plant seeds.
Winter was about deciding your seeds, spring is about planting + watering them. You can choose what you’ll (literally) plant this spring, and/or set goals for the season.
Create a spring wreath or flower arrangement.
This is the time of blooming + flowering. Celebrate that with some fresh blooms or greenery in your home. See below for my cat posing cutely with mine.
Embrace the colors of spring.
After a dull winter, spring is full of greenery, pastels, and vivid tones. Try integrating them into your day to brighten things up, like your wardrobe and accessories.
Cook or bake something new.
Spring is all about newness. Infuse some new spices or a whole new dish into your repetoire. Circular foods (like eggs or a loaf of bread) are also on theme for the cycle of spring.
Spring cleaning.
Declutter, clean, and throw out what’s no longer working for you. Whether it’s a full house cleanout or sprucing up a bookshelf, it’s a perfect time to reinvigorate a space and create something new.
Take a nature walk.
Walk down your street or check out a nearby hike. Check out what’s blooming anew and what’s still waiting to become green. Know that we’ll all keep evolving on our own time.
Reflect on who you want to become this season.
What do you want to take forward with yourself in this new season? What do you hope to leave behind? Who is the person you aim to be, and how can you step into that?
Download your spring intentions guide
A 30+ page guide to setting your goals and intentions for the 2024 spring season. Part educational resource, part workbook, and part accountability journal.
Includes:
Education on the spring season and its experimental, evolving energy
Introduction to the three zodiac seasons of spring (Aries, Taurus, Gemini) and the energy they bring into the fold
Guided journaling around forming intentions and goals with the seasons
Journal pages for tracking throughout the season
Download it up, y’all! Can’t wait for you to enjoy it. And happy spring experimentation ahead!
I love that sweet kitty photo. I've been enjoying prepping my garden and getting seedlings started. It always makes me feel hopeful.