Wednesday, March 20th is this year’s Vernal Equinox and with it we welcome spring. Both the Spring and the Fall Equinox mark the time of the year where the length of night and day are approximately equal.

Just like nature our spirit begins to awaken. The expansive energy of the new season can bring on a surge of new possibilities, inspiration, and excitement. It is a powerful time for new beginnings, ideas, and intentions. The increasing warmth, sunlight and fresh spring air, invites us to clear out any residual stagnant winter energies and inspire new ideas. You may feel the urge to clean and scrub your house, buy fresh spring flowers and declutter. This year I invite you to to add the following ancient ritual to your spring cleaning routine.

You will need:
– a few pieces of paper and a pen
– a stick of Palo Santo
– a stick of Cedar or dried Lavender branches

1. Intention setting
Spring Equinox holds the energies of rebirth and new beginnings.
Take some time to reflect on what you wish to release and what you would like to draw in.
Write everything that you wish to let go off on one sheet of paper and your new intentions, goals and dreams on another.

2. Air out your Home
If the weather allows, open the windows wide to let the spring air circulate and refresh every room.

3. Smudge to Release 
Ignite your Palo Alto stick and use a feather or gently blow down on it until it creates a fragrant smoke.
Palo Alto has been used since ancient times for:
– energy cleansing,
– transformation of negative energies to peaceful, happy and positive energies,
– as well as for spiritual purification.

Ground down through both feet, and bring your focus back on what you wish to release. Then begin by smudging yourself, gently bathing yourself in the fragrant smoke.
When you feel complete, take your smudge stick and walk counterclockwise through each room of your house, making sure to waft the smoke into each corner.
You may consider repeating a mantra as you smudge, for example “May all negative energies be cleared and transformed into love, laughter, peace and happiness.”

4. Smudge to Receive 
Now it is time to focus on drawing in an abundance of positive energy. Switch to Cedar or Lavender to support you in attracting your intentions. Lavender is usually a little more challenging to smudge unless it is very dry, so you may use Cedar instead.
Start again by smudging yourself first, focusing on what you would like to draw in. Now move clockwise around each room of your house and smudge while repeating your intentions that you wrote down earlier. For example “Thank you for the blessings of good health, love, prosperity, happiness, protection and guidance.”

5. Offer Gratitude
When you have completed the smudging, close all windows (if you haven’t already), bring your hands together in front of your chest and offer gratitude.

Happy Equinoxing!  I am really grateful for you and for connecting through your thoughtful responses, insights, ideas and comments on the Mendocino Healing webpage, Facebook, Instagram, or via email. Thank you for being part of the Mendocino Healing community and for sharing your love and light so brightly! ✨

Many blessings from my heart to yours 💖

Tanja

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Tanja Alexandra Kern