Tomorrow is the Spring Equinox, which is considered by many to be the first day of Spring, and is one of only two moments in the year when the sun is exactly above the Equator and day and night are of equal length. After this day, the brightness of daylight begins to overtake the dark hours in the sky as the days continue to longer and longer, and the nights shorter and shorter. This transition is the basis within the celebration of the holiday itself, as we celebrate the warming and awakening of the earth as she prepares to share her abundance and generosity with us all.
In my path, the Spring Equinox is also known as Ostara. Although this holiday is celebrated (as Easter around) the world by those that embrace many traditions that originated in Paganism, most don’t realize the full and rich history that this holiday holds.
Like with new moons and full moons, I usually do a spread to check in with myself and give myself some direction for the next couple of months for each solstice, equinox, and other Sabbats. This spread is an adaptation of my Self Care Saturday spread, so there are sure to be some similarities in how it is read. The focus of this spread, though, is not about Self Care, but rather about progress and my path. The time period is also longer, reaching through the next handful of weeks until the celebration of the upcoming Beltane at the beginning of May.
Theme of the Season – Spring Equinox, First Quarter Moon, Equisetum Arvense –
Spring Equinox is a time of growth and the thriving energy of a rebirth that began with the passing of Imbolc at the beginning of February. Where during that time seeds began to awaken in the earth as the soil begins to thaw and the sun’s rays begin to warm away the bite of winter, with Ostara we now find ourselves seeing outward signs of spring’s arrival with the appearance of small buds forming on trees and the first flowers of spring sprouting from the earth. Nourishment from the sun and the rains will further encourage this growth, creating a thriving reawakening as spring moves forward into full swing.
The First Quarter Moon is a time of building energy and action. If you haven’t already begun, now is the time to begin taking action on the intentions and goals that were planted in the fertile soil of the new moon’s energy. This is true in the metaphysical realm just as it is true in the physical, and farmers often find the time between the new moon and first quarter to be both fertile and wet, making it ideal for planting above ground crops, transplanting, and doing grafts. With the season being what it is, now is the first of two spring half moons where this energy is not just available but abundant this spring.
Equisetum arvense (Common Horsetail) is an herb that is well known for its antioxidant qualities, as well as for renewal and restoration of bones, fingernails, and hair, as it contains silica, which is a compound that helps the body absorb calcium. It is often used magically in anti-aging spells, as well as reinforcing promises and strengthening boundaries.
When looking at these three cards together, the theme that I see here is a reminder to stay true to the path that I want to continue upon. This is a reminder that I’ve gotten from the cards a few times recently and in this spread it’s a reminder that in moving forward, I will continue to need to be cautious and conscious of where I direct my energy so that it is directed into the growth I want to happen and not falling back on old habits.
Earth – The Sun – Take care of yourself. Make your body happy and everything else will fall into place. Nourish your body with good foods, give it the rest it needs, and visit those places you find enjoyable and recuperative often. These things encourage positivity and will help you in staying healthy and happy. In turn, that energy will then spread outward from there into other parts of your life.
Air – Queen of Wands – Not everything is about progress. Make sure you are paying attention to the little things and not discounting them as unimportant or irrelevant. They are the marrow of the bones of life, so make sure that you are not taking these things for granted. When you put yourself in a position of control over the choices you make and the things you pursue, you give yourself the ability to fit into your life those things that are truly important. Make sure you fit in lots and lots of those “little things” that mean so much.
Water – Knight of Wands – Go forth in this direction, for this is the way forward. My emotional growth was a good deal of my focus through most of the year last year, and this year that focus needs to continue in that same direction. There is much more to learn and explore. Don’t allow other passions and interests to pull you off your chosen course (indicated in the rearing up of the buck).
Fire – Four of Swords – The business, represented as the lions share of your Wands position in your life, is not going anywhere and it’ll thrive just fine in neutral. Will it explode and expand? No, but you’ve already grown to a point that is hard to manage without help. Just how much bigger do you really want to get? Lay down your arms and don’t fucking push for now. Allow yourself to rest (in this area of your life) while there’s the opportunity to do so.
Waning – Rest – While it may be time to set down your arms in the area of the business for the time being, don’t let this fool you into thinking there isn’t anything to do. There’s plenty to do and plenty to explore, just not in that particular area of your life right now. Don’t be seduced into slacking off. Your recovery from the MDE and your endeavors for growth and spirituality both require you to keep moving forward.
Waxing – The Priestess – “The betterment of ourselves lies in our actions, and in lessons drawn from our experiences” are words that resonated when I read the artist’s notes on this card. Here we see the culmination of what is coming and where focus needs to lie on the path forward. Pay attention to how things feel, both emotionally and through intuition. Allow this side of you to stretch and flourish while the slave driver of practical matters takes a step back.
Take Away – This reading is about choices and trajectory, and making sure I make the choices that steer me in the direction I want to go, instead of just taking the easy way out, or falling back on bad habits or old ways of doing things. Right now, as I emerge from the last dregs of the MDE, I have the opportunity to course correct my path forward, adjust my trajectory, and direct my energy in directions far more attuned to what I want to do, where I want to go, and who I want to be… and become.
DECKS USED: WENDY ANDREW ART CARD, PAGAN OTHERWORLDS TAROT, COMPENDIUM OF WITCHES ORACLE, HEALING HERBAL CARDS VOL 1 & 2
