SPRING EQUINOX LIVES FOR CHANGE

Sacred Masculine by Tony Cherette

Spring, refreshing, spring. The season of new beginnings, birth, sunlight, birdsong, and the plant people blooming their joy. Who can ever forget their first scent of spring after a long winter? That fresh, clean, unique, as well as life-giving smell tells you we have many months of warmth and growth ahead of us. Not to mention light—Glorious, glorious light!

Spring (Vernal) Equinox takes place this year on Saturday, March 20. It is one of four equinoxes we experience in the general calendar year, and it means the Sun is above the Equator, and we experience day and night being of equal length. That signals a shift in the seasons. This puts me in mind of preparations for that event.

What type of ceremony do you engage in to welcome the return of the light?

Is it a ceremony centered around a family tradition? Around a cultural teaching or historical event? Do you change it up or switch it up year by year? Do you pick new traditions to add to your event?

In our house, from a practical standpoint, when we know that the return of longer days is near, we tend to feel that urge to break out the cleaning supplies, work on those baseboards and give the first spring or even pre-spring cleaning to the windows.

For other folks, they feel the invisible tug and pull out the ladder, climb up those steps and get those gutters clean or cleared of winter debris. It is something joyous to go from nesting or resting to reimagine our days ahead, one chore or task at a time.

Have you noticed that along with cleaning, tidying, etc., some of our friends with green thumbs and plant catalogs tap into that subtle energy that leans more towards tending the gentle stalks and tendrils of plant seedlings they have started? They feel great joy and anticipation in planting once the ground gives the invitation that she is ready to help in the process. We love our plant-loving friends!

Circling around to the spiritual component of this time event, you’ll find that right along with the cleaning supplies, we break out the Sage and sometimes tobacco and present an offering to the spirits who help to usher in this glorious new season.

Have you ever permitted yourself to celebrate in that way? Somehow, it seems that act can make the idea of new days ahead feel like they are properly welcomed, right along with a clean environment. Not just a two-for-one bonus yet a tradition that may assist in the spirits feeling very welcome around your environs.

A friend asked in an online discussion recently how others experience the nature spirits making an appearance. I thought that was a rather good question from the standpoint that everyone has a different way of either ‘seeing,’ ‘feeling,’ ‘sensing,’ or interpreting vibes that may surround them around equinox times. For me, it is always a mystery exactly when I first feel them show up.

Sometimes, it can occur when I see the first crocus spring up. Other times, I can be out ambling around and feel a literal ‘sense’ of change in the air.

One of the great things I have also seen being discussed recently in a wider forum is the specific experiences people have and have had during change times with the nature spirits.

When referring to the spirits, I think of the plant people, the bird people, the insect people, and the tree people. I recently came across several articles on how birdsong lifts people’s spirits and why that is. That could take an entire article to even touch on just a few of those truths, so maybe in the future, we’ll cover that.

One of the Native teachings I received with regard to seasonal changes in how the plant people know when to wake up and begin their communication with the Sun. Scientists have pondered that the information shared with me is that the bird people awaken first and call to their friends in the plant kingdom to get up and come out and play. It is simply such a great and gentle idea that friends wake each other to start another cycle of enjoyment.

Spring equinox can also be a time when you set a new goal for yourself regarding your guidance sources. In fact, refreshing your information sources is always something to keep on your calendar for the right time.

Let’s talk a little more about that with regard to your spirit guides.

Much like the winds that are different from season to season, spirit guides have a relationship to different times in your life. As you may know, some guides come in with you at the start of your life, and some come and go throughout your life.

What happens if you are in a season where you are not feeling much in touch with your guides, or they feel somewhat silent?

When I am working with a client on these questions, I suggest inviting them to see if they fell silent for some particular reason.

They, too, are working on their growth and change in another dimension, so it is not entirely unusual that silence or less input from them can happen at various times during the year.

What if it is a question that it’s time for some new guides?

That may seem a controversial question to pose or even scary. For some, it may seem novel or a new idea. Guides have an honored and esteemed place in our lives, and frankly, sometimes, they are ready to move on to assist someone in their specialty area.

You can work with that!

How do you know if it’s time for a change?

One very simple and easy way to tell is if you feel stagnant in your growth—no shame in that game.

If so, you have a couple of options. The first is to call in another guide to work with you if you have a very specific goal in mind. That can really relieve stress and anxiety for some folks, particularly if they are feeling ‘stuck’ in an old routine.

If you don’t feel you need a new guide, then consider laying out a small offering to them and asking them if they need your help with anything. Or if they desire a change of venue. Or if they simply need a rest.

It seems appropriate that with the upcoming change in literal light, we consider both the practical (cleaning house, etc.) right along with the spiritual (discussion with our guides or asking for a new one). The gain you will feel from the physical movement, and the spiritual movement will boost your well-being and keep you motivated toward achieving your goals and desires.

Spring tends to bring those types of opportunities our way. Exercise them and make the next part of 2021 a safer, gentler, and more satisfying season for you and your loved ones.

May I suggest:

There is something quite extraordinary about emerging from the solemn, long, cold winter nights with the knowledge that as each day passes, we move closer and closer to longer spells of that liquid sunlight and easier weather.

Anthony D. Cherette is a Medium with 35 years of experience. He is also an Elder and registered tribal member of the Annishnabeg Nation. Anthony is also a legal professional, a parent, a community activist and Two-Spirit human. He is a contributing writer of Star Nations Magazine who is happy you are reading his articles.