March 20th marks the start of Aries Season & the Equinox. On this date, night and day are in equal balance.
March 20 is also Ostara, an ancient pagan celebration of the beginning of spring that was mostly replaced by the Christian holiday of Easter. The name refers to Eostre, a goddess of the dawn, who brings with her the new season of spring and the bright half of the year.
In the Northern Hemisphere, flowers start to bloom, trees come back to life, and animals return to their energy. It’s the perfect time for cleansing/cleaning, focusing on growth and fertility, and work that feels reenergizing.
To aid in your connection to this moment, I have a ritual below that you might find helpful.
It would be ideal to do this ritual outside at sunrise while welcoming the dawn, but you can also simply imagine the dawn rising in your mind.
You’ll need:
A bowl of clean water
A dry towel
A candle
A pen and paper or a journal
Close your eyes and take some deep breaths, imagining a circle of protection around yourself. Invite in energies that are healing and loving, and filter out anything that is not.
When you are ready, open your eyes and dip your hands into the bowl of water. Gently cleanse your hands, imagining that any old energies or unhelpful patterns are simply sliding off your hands into the water. Dry your hands with the towel.
Light your candle, and gaze at the flame as you consider your intentions. What you have been hoping for? And what are you working towards?
When you are ready, write down at least three goals and intentions for this new season. Make a promise to yourself and the dawn before you that you will take steps toward your goals.
When this feels complete for you, thank the light, the water, the dawn, the earth, yourself, and anything else that you’d like to offer gratitude to. Blow out the candle.
Put the paper somewhere you’re likely to see it often to remind you of your promises to yourself. Watch your intentions grow in the days and weeks ahead.