When it comes to the celebration of spring there are many forms of celebration depending upon the path one walks. Over the years I wanted to find traditions in both historical origins along with creating ones personal to my own path. The aspects of creating new traditions for myself have been a big part of my practice. I want to honor traditions that have a deeper connection with myself and the process of my spiritual journey. As I have worked thru the years checking out various traditions for celebrations. A few things have always resonated when it comes to spring.
Rebirth
Fertility
New Journeys
Much of the symbolism that we find centers around these three things and depending upon who you ask depends on the answer given. When it comes to traditions I feel like some are done based on culture. While others are formed from personalized need and experience that is yet to be defined. I noticed recently those around me as well as myself have felt the call of spring strongly this year. For me, it's been an eye-opening experience that brings all three into play. I feel as if I'm in a period of rebirth and giving life to a new journey that im finally ready to step into. The last few years my personal focus has been focusing on what internal issues do I need to address. While acknowledging my triggers that impact my reactions to people and events that take place. During this time I found how my energy has morphed from the mother towards a crone mentality aspect. But at the same time, some of the issues I faced are from my maiden aspects.
Becoming more self-aware of one's self is something that is a long grueling process and yet in being transparent I feel I have resonated more with others. I have also found the power of symbolism is more prominent in my decisions as well. When it comes to such change it feels like a journey has come to an end. Even though the process of self and evolving to be better is never-ending. It feels as if it changes in how it appears and how I find myself reacting to it versus that of my youth. This is the reason I think spring is resonating so hard for me this year and the need to express it. Since I am feeling this change I wanted to expand on my spring traditions which normally focus on a maypole and dancing. I feel as if this year needs to be more symbolic of me and my journey. To test the waters of myself and my connection with my spirituality. As I hear the call of Persephone come forth stronger each day its activated a change I can't ignore. As Persephone has been a goddess that I've acknowledged due to my devotion to Hades. I feel like the call of Persephone is a stage of evolving and shedding the old to bring in the new. So with that being said as to what has sparked this new journey upon me, I want to talk about some traditions I plan on starting for myself this year. Who knows by me sharing this it may inspire others to find new traditions for themselves. When it comes to creating new traditions not all traditions need to by yearly. So some of the traditions I speak about today will be labeled as such if yearly or when needed.
Firewalking Tradition
The symbolism of the return of the sun becoming more visible as spring emerges is not something that is new. Traditionally fires are seen as the representation of life, changes, rebirths, and the wheel of the year. While for some personally, it can be about power, strength, passion, destruction, and sacrifice. For me this year fire is about many of these things but the biggest is the ability of rebirth. In many cultures around the world both modern and in ancient times. The act of fire walking has been a symbol of mind and body working as one. It can be seen as a way to see that the road may seem hard but with determination anything is possible. To overcome we must use both because if we favor one or the other it will make the road more difficult. This year this will be a tradition for me and will possibly become something I do every year.
I feel as the year goes it can bring so many uncertain things about for us and we have to roll with the punches. Many times it affects us either mentally or physically and can feel overwhelming. I feel by starting this tradition it will become a way to remind myself that the road is not always easy. But to remember that if you can keep yourself together with both mind and body anything is possible even when it seems like it's not.
Seed Amulet(Yearly tradition)
When it comes to spring most of us think of traditions that involve planting our crops to set our manifestations forth. I myself have found it helpful in my life and the ability to watch the evolution of those intentions. This year it feels different in how I wish to remind myself. As the seeds of intention can be sometimes lost during the growing process. As we become more knowledgable we tend to forget about how each journey starts with a simple seed of intention. This year I have decided to create a piece of jewelry as my amulet this year. This is something I will remain wearing each day of the year as a reminder to myself to be kind to myself during challenging times. As the art of setting an intention is only part of the manifestation process and the other part is the energy we feed into it. This is a reminder that for a seed to grow it must be taken care of, which is the same for the path I walk. For instance, if I need more love I will find a seed that represents that. The choice in seeds and what manifesting I want to bring forth will depend on myself or you as a practitioner. After every year the practitioner can take the jewelry and place it for safe keeping or Allow the practitioner to use it when they need it during the years. Some will even add these once the year is up to shadow boxes. Making a cute reminder and keepsake from them. Inside of the shadow box they can place a written note as to the creation. What they had learned from using the seed of their choice and how it made them feel during this time. Allowing it to become a piece that can be handed down to generation to generation.
Masks Of Spring ( This can be done by yearly or just a one time thing)
In many traditions, the creation of masks has been used in rituals to celebrations some cultivating in entertainment. When it comes to spring many gods are seen for their connections with it. But also during this time, we have the celebrations of elements come forth and the elementals associated with them. When it comes to the elemental association with each season it can depend on the area in which you live. For me when I associate the season with the elements this is the structure in which I follow.
Spring- Earth- As spring comes forth the element of nature returns bringing forth new growth and abundance with it.
Summer- Fire- As the days grow warmer the element of fire is felt during these days.
Fall- Water-- As fall comes forth it brings with it an abundance of rain cleansing the earth before its final rest.
Winter- Air- As winter comes into full swing it brings its cold winds from the north as all which was is now laid to rest.
Making seasonal masks its simple and is only limited by one's imagination and will to create it. The use of seasonal masks can be used in the correlation of the holidays during rituals or storytelling. It can be a way to connect with the energy of the season and help the practitioner take upon the traits of the elements as well. It is also a fun activity that can be done with children, covens, or groups. Allowing each person's interpretation of spring to come forth and the energies that they are trying to bring forth. It can also be used in a way of meditation and trance work as it allows the practitioner to give that energy force to life. Creating a mindstate in which altars the practitioner's state of mind when in use.
Burn Doll
When it comes to creating a spring burn doll the symbolism behind it lays within the name itself. The ideal is to make a doll out of the material of your choice, normally this is done with old cloths or wood. The objective of a burn doll is to release old aspects of oneself. In the creation of the burn doll you will think of all the negative things you have place or that have been placed upon you during the year. The creation of this doll should start in april and any negative experience of feelings till than from past or present should be placed inside the doll. Some do this by speaking to the doll while others will carve or write words upon it that cause pain. During the first day of may when the first fires are lit you would say the following around the fire.
This doll represents all the negativity in my life
The things i think
The things I feel
The words that have been spoken in self-hate
The words that have been spoken in ill will toward me
This doll has absorbed all that I harbor both seen and unseen
It is a representation of what I wish to not hold to anymore
It is a representation of what I wish to no longer see
It is a representation of what I no longer want to hear
It is a representation of what I no longer want to feel
With this doll, I let go of these things that anchor me down
With this doll I regain who I am
With this doll I take back the power in which was taken
With this doll I learn to love myself more with each breath I take.
I cast this doll into the flames as this is my will (throw doll into the fire
(Say)
Let the spirits of this land see my desire
May the universe feel its power
Allow the gods to bless me upon this journey
As I take the new path before me.
Its rituals and traditions like this harness both tradition and personal spirituality into being. Many times we block the road of growth into our path as our roots become embedded in traditions of the past. We cling to ideals that are far from the world in which we walk. In hopes to gain knowledge that was once lost and acceptance within our path. For us to grow we must take those personalized meanings of power and bring them to life. As we grow so will our traditions some set in the stones of time. While others are brought forth to serve the need of our path we walk. As you celebrate this spring allow yourself to explore the symbolism and change within. Give yourself time and grace as some season resonate more than others depending upon the time of our lives. Traditions made are over time and will grow with you upon the path of the divine.
The Devine Witch
Debbie Lewis
I really enjoyed this read!