A New Season of Growth

Spring has finally arrived.  Trees are budding with green and red leaves, squirrels terrorize unsuspecting pedestrians in downtown Ypsilanti, and the lingering smell of startled skunks become more and more noticeable.  Captain spends hours sitting at the window, glaring at the world outside and trying to pick a fight with anything that comes within a hundred feet of our front door.

Yes, it's definitely Spring.  This also means that it's time to clean the apartment, open the windows, and get rid of all the Winter funk that's built up over the last several months.  Most people call this Spring Cleaning, which is part of what I do.  Physically freshening my living space is important, as the seasonal depression is the worst around this time of the year.  But after I finish up the spring cleaning, I start the spring cleansing, which allows for Her to make a presence in my space once more, as She's been resting for quite a while.

It's not very complicated; if you're a practicing Pagan the likelihood of having everything you need on hand is pretty high.  Depending on how you practice, the prayer, chant, or offering will vary.  That's fine; this is meant to invite the awakening forces of nature into your dwelling, which I find is much more important when living in a metropolis than when I lived in the middle of the mountains.  Even if I can't escape the smog, noise, and pollution of people, my apartment becomes a safe haven for natural energies.  I can recharge, build up my tolerance to live among others, and keep myself balanced.

The oil you use should reflect properties that invite Spring for you.  I chose orange as it provokes thoughts of cleanliness and freshness, and pine is what I think of when I consider the outdoors. You might use other oils like lemon, lavender, rose, etc. as long as it holds meaning to you.  Avoid scents that you associate with other seasons (for example, if pine reminds you of Winter, chose another scent).

Before the ritual, you should determine where you will keep your potted plant after.  I recommend a place where it can get sufficient light for the type of plant you chose, and will not be in danger of getting knocked over or breaking.  I prefer to keep mine directly on my altar, which is why I chose a small pot and flower.

Below is the ritual I use for my Spring Cleansing:

• Two single-use ritual candles, one white and one green
• A stick of sage
• An Incense burner, filled with focusing incense
• Essential Oil (orange and pine)
• A small glass of water
• A small pot filled with dirt
• Seeds or a ready-to-transfer plant of your choice

1. Set up your ritual space or alter in preparation of the spring cleansing.  The candles should be placed in holders that are set near the back corners of your incense burner, with space to place the pot in front of the burner.  You will need to set your seeds or plant next to the pot.  The stick of sage should be placed in between your candles, and a lighter or matches should be kept nearby for convenience.  You can wear a simple gown or robe, some comfortable clothes, or wear nothing.
   
   
2. Rub oil onto your candles; I used orange oil on the white candle, and pine oil on the green.  Do whatever feels appropriate to you.  Place a couple drops of each oil in the water, and set behind the incense burner.  Once the oil has dried on the candles you will be ready to begin.
   
   
3. Light your incense, allow it to burn for a few minutes and breathe in the scent.  Let yourself sink into a meditative state, connecting with the natural energies of the earth.  When you can feel her power, light your candles.  Move the candles to rest on either side of the plant pot while reciting your invitation:
   
   Welcome, welcome, come and dwell here, forces of nature.  Awake and feel Her.  Walk where I walk, sleep where I sleep, and dwell with and within.  Let the Earth be with me and work within me.
   
   
4. Meditate on this feeling, and repeat it aloud several times as the candles burn.  When the candles burn out, light your sage stick and smudge the space around the pot and yourself.  Set the sage in your incense burner for now and take your plant or seed.  State your intent while planting:
   
   Make your home within this plant, let your energy bloom.  Allow me to grow with you, and tend to me as I tend to you.  Let us live together in harmony.
   
   
5. Pick up the sage stick and the pot and walk around the inside perimeter of your living space while reciting your invitation and intent.  You can include the outside areas of your house, if you desire.  Once you complete "showing" the pot where you're living, set it down and draw your sage around it in a circle slowly, while stating your intent once more.  Give your plant some of the water from your ritual stand.  Drink any excess water.
   If your oils cannot be ingested, dip your hand in the glass and rub the water into your skin. Save any remaining water for future watering, repeating the hand dip after, and repeat until the water is gone.

The potted plant will now represent your connection to the Earth, and as it grows so will Her influence in your home.  No matter what may be outside, you will have nature's energy available to you.

If your plant dies before Autumn, you can repeat this ritual on another plant.  I find it works best the earlier in Spring it is done.  I usually wait until I see the trees budding.