Wiccan Priestess Shares Tips For Urban Dwellers To Connect With Nature This Spring Equinox

Link:  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/03/19/ostara-spring-equinox-celebrations_n_6897898.html

Great article! Here's some wonderful ways to spend tomorrow's Equinox:


"The spring equinox falls on Friday, March 20, in the Northern Hemisphere, marking the moment that the sun passes over the celestial equator. On this day, Wiccans and many other neopagans observe Ostara, a festival that celebrates the season's change from dark winter to brightening spring.
Wicca is a pagan religion that emphasizes the cycles of nature and spiritual connection to the earth. Ostara is one of 8 seasonal Wiccan holidays.
Faith tradition aside, though, there are ways all of us can connect more deeply with nature and reap the benefits of the new season, according to Wiccan priestess Selena Fox.
"Spring equinox is a time of new life, new growth, and renewal," Fox told The Huffington Post. "It is a wonderful time to get outdoors and commune with nature, watching migrating birds, the greening of the landscape and budding of trees."
Fox is the high priestess of Circle Sanctuary, a Wiccan church, resource center and nature preserve in southwestern Wisconsin. The preserve is situated amidst "rolling hills" with access to "forests, meadows, a remnant prairie, streams, springs, ancient sandstone rock outcroppings, nature trails, and an abundance of wild birds and other wildlife," according to its website.
Those who are city-bound and surrounded by concrete sidewalks and skyscrapers may be crying a bit on the inside after reading that. We feel your pain.
But Fox says there are actually many ways for urban-dwellers to connect with nature on Ostara. The priestess shared seven tips for celebrating the new season -- even without access to streams and meadows.

DECORATE
 


"Decorate your home with springtime imagery -- a vase of fresh flowers from the market, a bowl of wooden painted eggs or colored hard-boiled eggs, a wreath of silk flowers on your front door," Fox says.

MEDITATE

"Visit a botanical garden, garden center, flower shop or other place with flowers and meditatively delight in the blooms -- their colors, shapes and fragrances."

RENOVATE



"Do a bit of spring cleaning," Fox suggests. "Spend a few minutes airing out your home by opening windows, sweeping the kitchen or reorganizing a desk drawer."

INNOVATE

"Try something new. Add something to your daily routine. Make a new friend. Create or purchase something new and wear it."

INVIGORATE



Some of Fox's suggestions: "Create and drink a spring tonic. Take a walk in your neighborhood and look for signs of spring. Wear something green to connect you with the greening of the land."

COMMUNICATE

"Take spring-themed photographs and share on them social media along with springtime well wishes."

CELEBRATE



"Host a 'welcome, spring' party," Fox says. "Have guests bring spring symbols to decorate the feasting table. Serve a salad with fresh-picked spring greens. Share observations of emerging spring with others."
Check out more of Fox's tips for spring rituals on the Circle Sanctuary's website."

New Moon in Aquarius/Pisces

New Moon today at 3:47pm at 29 degrees Aquarius - with the Moon shifting into Pisces at the same moment. The Sun moves into Pisces three minutes later!

This New Moon is literally on the cusp between signs, bringing revolutionary, deep insights into our lives. Aquarius brings sudden, clear vision and science, while Pisces connects us with the Source of All.

All New Moons represent rebirth, but this one in particular is a complete revamping of our lives. Very important to let go of the past and embrace the direction your life is taking. Go with the Flow. Seriously. If you hang on to outgrown attitudes, March will be a rough month.

 "Invocation de Neptune", Jean-Jules-Antoine Lecomte du Nouÿ

Adding to this feeling of freshness is Mars entering Aries overnight. Mars (energy, courage, strength, assertiveness) is completely at home in the sign of Aries (beginnings, new cycle, spontaneity, self esteem). The fiery planet will be traversing Aries through March and into April, which is a good thing.

This spring sees the final square between Uranus and Pluto - which will complete the two year transformation we've all been experiencing. Change is in the air and it's best to remain flexible over the next few months.

Spring Equinox

Happy Spring Equinox everybody!! We are at the point of equal day and equal night. Look for balance in your life and bringing peace to your relationships. This weekend is a great time to spend extra time with your sweetie.

With Mars Retrograde in Libra, some of our plans might be delayed or held back in some way. Try not to get frustrated! Focus on balance and charm as ways to move forward. 

I've been busy working on my new astrological bracelets I'll have up for sale in April. Hope you have a great day today and Hail unto Spring!!
More to come soon!

April/May horoscopes: Sun in Taurus

We had a New Moon in Aries last Wednesday, but we are sitting on the cusp of Taurus. The Sun is moving into Taurus this week starting the Bovine Birthday season. The horoscopes below take the sun into account, as well as Mercury's retrograde in Taurus last Saturday night (April 17th..)

Aries:  The Ram

      Your solar return (birthday) is over for another year Aries! The skies are on your side with your ruler, Mars, in another fire sign - Leo! Lots of energy available for you to charge forth into new ideas and projects. But with the Sun's entrance into Taurus, it's time to get down to brass tacks... especially tacking money to your wall.

      Focus on getting organized with plans already set in motion. It's not the time to be risky or too spontaneous. Mercury is going retrograde through your house of finances until the middle of May, so it's the perfect time to solidify the foundations of all your wonderful ideas.

Taurus:  The Bull

      As the Sun enters your sign you will shine as Venus's Special Birthday Child! But with Mercury's Retrograde in Taurus there might be some delays in your plans. You'll be reassessing all the important areas of your life this month and going through a major rebirth. You will be reconsidering who you are in the world and wanting to make changes to your path. Do the contemplation this month, but wait until late May to make changes.
     You also have two planetary heavy weights making trines with your sun, promising transformative growth. Saturn is going backwards in Virgo, asking you to review your romantic life and the ways in which you are creative. Deep cathartic change will beam to your Sun from Pluto in Capricorn. You might look and feel completely different when the Sun leaves your sign May 20th.

Gemini:  The Twins

      From now until June is preparation time for your birthday. The Taurean Sun will send bright light to the dusty corridors of your mind, bringing fresh air to perspectives you've outgrown. We all know how sociable you are, but give yourself some moments of solitude in the upcoming weeks. Long walks on hillsides contemplating your life and direction will recharge your batteries.
     Your ruling planet, Mercury, is performing a "turn-around-dance" in earthy Taurus until the middle of May. So while the Sun is lighting things up, Mercury will be changing the maps of your life and messing up your kitchen. Off to the hillsides with you! A pasture full of wild flowers and butterflies would also do the trick. You need this time to the set the stage for the amazing networking opportunities coming your way this Summer!

Cancer:  The Crab

      You will have a fairly easy time over the next month. The Taurus action will be affecting your 11th House of Friendships and community. Lots of possibilities for socializing and career will be popping up all over the place, but forming concrete plans with people might be delayed until mid May. Just be patient and practice letting go and enjoying yourself in Taurus's earthy playfield.

      If ideas seem hard to get off the ground don't fret - your time is right around the corner. This summer will throw huge sparks of excitement into your career, and the contacts you made in April/ May will produce glorious fruit.

Leo:  The Lion

      The Lion is one of the most ambitious signs of the zodiac, and over the next two months opportunities will abound in your professional life. Plus you have Mars, planet of Action and Drive in your sign of Leo! You're chomping at the bit to unleash your glorious ideas on the world. That's the good news. The challenge will be that pesky Mercury going retrograde all over your grand designs of world domination. It's an opportunity to practice patience (Taurus is good at that and can show you how)...

      The Mercury-born delays are temporary, and this Summer you will shine brighter than ever. Jupiter (good fortune) and Uranus (sudden surprises) will both move into Aries giving you gifts of revelations, understanding and Buddha wisdom.

Virgo:  The Virgin

      I know that 2008 and 2009 were humdingers for you. Saturn was sitting in Virgo for the first time in 30 years, refusing to budge until you faced reality. Then last October Saturn left to visit the lands of Libra, and to share his cold facts with a new audience. You thought you were free and clear. Well you almost are, but Saturn just backed up into Virgo again this week. It's a temporary visit, just long enough to test you on the lessons learned.

       And on the other side of your life, the Sun and Mercury will be running in circles around your world perspective. It's a great time to do some journaling and meditation because the revelations about your life will come thick and fast! A transformative couple of months directly ahead.

Libra:  The Scales

      A huge growth period began around your birthday last year when the heavy planet Saturn entered Libra. There's no escaping Saturn. It's time to get serious, grow up, look at who you are and shift the structures of your life. Saturn is the planet of reality, rules, maturity and karma - 'as we sow, so shall we reap'. This week Saturn temporarily moved back into Virgo to give you a breather, but he will be back in late July for a two year stay.

      In the meantime, Mercury’s retrograde in Taurus (which started Saturday night) will put your focus on work situations and the evaluation of agreements with others. But it's early June that packs a wallop with Uranus (shocking, eccentric changes) and Jupiter (good luck) moving into your Relationships. It could bring strange developments in your relationship, mostly for the better.

Scorpio:  The Scorpion

        When the Sun goes into Taurus, like it's doing now, the spotlight shines on Scorpio's relationships. The focus becomes the "other" - our romantic relationships and friendships as well. Jupiter (planet of good fortune) is also moving through Pisces, our house of romance and creativity, so love is in the air! Now is the time to solidify an existing relationship, or to get out and socialize more.

       The only fuzzy corner of this scenario is Mercury’s retrograde in Taurus which started Saturday. This placement can bring the return of old flames, and an airing of the truth in all areas. Careful not to fall into over-analyzing relationships and the future.

Sagittarius:  The Archer

      Mars in Leo is shooting off sparks into your House of Philosophy, creating fresh insights into your life and goals. Now we have Mercury rewinding in your House of Daily Routine and Work. It's a great time to figure out how your energy can best be focused and then setting a new schedule to make it happen. Sagittarians love to set goals - now is the time to do some research and groundwork before letting the arrows fly this summer.

      And by the way, it's going to be a VERY romantic summer for you...

Capricorn:  The Goat

      You have a new friend by your side for the next 10 or 15 years, and that friend is the planet Pluto. The last time Pluto entered Capricorn it was the birth of our nation, so this is a revolutionary time indeed! You will go through a deep change regarding how you envision yourself, as well as developing sudden psychic talents.

      Mercury’s retrograde through Taurus (starting last Saturday night) will inspire you to reassess your romantic life to see if any changes need to be made. The truth will be coming out all over the place (which is a good thing).

Aquarius:  The Water Bearer

      Fairly calm seas ahead for you... until this summer that is. Your ruler, Uranus, is about to enter Aries - a very forceful, assertive and spontaneous sign. This is a Big Deal, since the planet has been in Pisces for the last 10 years. Your highly attuned Aquarian synapses will be shooting off new inventions and unorthodox ideas with lightning speed.

     The current Mercury retrograde is a great time for you to take a practical look at your living arrangements, take stock and implement changes where necessary. This will be going on through May.

Pisces:  The Fishes

      Well the heavens have a special gift for you right now - another Saturn-Uranus opposition. This will best be utilized by identifying any old modes of thinking and behaviors regarding relationships, and then trying something new and revolutionary. Make the most of it!

      Mercury did an 'about face' in Taurus Saturday night, and will be retrograde through much of May. It will be a time for you to think about your communication patterns with others, and reflecting on how you'd like to update yourself and your relationships.

Vernal Equinox: Plant the Seed

The Spring Equinox marks more than the revolutions of the Earth and the Sun, it's a time that we can use to set goals and map a course for the rest of the year.

It's a highly energetic and magical time of year! I've been watching the world bursting into bloom for the past week. The air is thick with pollen. I have crows battling for mates in my backyard during the day and raccoons doing god-knows-what in my backyard at night. There were some unearthly sounds back there at 4am last night:)

Equinox = equal day and equal night.

The light is growing and the days are getting longer, but the vernal equinox is about balance. This is the time of year when our ancestors would plant the crops that would grow and ripen in the summer sun. The harvest would come in the Fall. This cycle is an ancient one, and reflects how we first came to survive on this planet and live in harmony with the Earth.


And the cool thing is, you can grow MORE than vegetables!

If you want to increase something this year, plant the seed for it today, Saturday March 20th! For me, "planting the seed" usually means taking some type of seed - I use wheat seeds from my family's farm in Canada - and planting it in the ground near my house. As you plant the seed say to yourself "I plant this seed so that I may grow ____________ this year in my life. I pray for an abundant harvest this Fall".

You can say anything as long as it comes from your heart:)

And you can plant ANYTHING! You can plant more than one thing too, but simple is always better.
I planted self esteem two years in a row and it worked miraculously.

You can plant:
prosperity
advancement at work
organization
FUN
a creative project
good health for your family and friends
Sex or a relationship
a wider social circle
stability
peace of mind

Pretty much anything you need to increase in your life right now. Whatever you plant will grow this summer, and you will "harvest" it this Fall. Don't worry I'll remind you about that too.

I think it's a good idea to write it down somewhere, like in a journal or something..... maybe share it with a few close friends... but other than that don't talk about it too much. It's a gift for YOU.

So what are you going to plant??

Horoscopes coming Monday!!