ChandraMa's Newsletter
March 2008

Spring

Even though we are still buried in snow, Spring will arrive in the month of March. The Spring Equinox, oftentimes known as the Vernal Equinox, is on March 21, 2008 at 5:48 Universal Time. The term “Equinox” is a Latin word meaning the day and the night at this time are of equal length all over the planet. After the Spring Equinox, the period of daylight increases, gradually becoming longer in relation to the hours of night until Summer Solstice is reached (the longest day of the year). The word “Vernal” comes from the Latin term “vernare” meaning to bloom which is reflected in the names of many spring-flowering plants. Although there is a deep layer of snow today, I am hopeful that many of these beautiful blooms are now making their way to the earth’s surface so that we may enjoy this new life and fresh beginnings.

The astrological year also begins on March 21st, the first day of Aries. This, the first sign of the Zodiac, is ruled by the planet Mars and thus is associated with both the Greek and Roman gods of war (Ares and Mars). Mars was also an agricultural deity, representing fertility, new growth and Spring.

Easter is also in March (the 23rd this year) which represents creation and rebirth. For Christians it is related to Christ’s sacrifice but for many other traditions it is about the eternal cycle of the seasons along with new beginnings and fertility. The Easter Egg symbolizes new beginnings and the hare (Easter bunny) fertility. The shape of the egg (oval) signifies the cycle of the seasons. The yoke of the egg stands for the sun-god and the egg-white for the maiden goddess. Their sacred marriage is said to have occurred at the Spring Equinox.

At this time of year it is likely we need to catch our breath and our balance. If we look closely at most Easter/Spring Equinox customs we will find they are in one way or the other concerned with balance. Balance of the feminine and masculine as well as letting go of the old and bringing in the new. We need to take the time to breathe deeply and relax, to reorient ourselves to the longer light-filled days, to set worries and should-of thoughts aside and think about what we can do with what we have, and how what we do now will affect what we have to work with later on. Our inner gardens need to be tended as much as the ones in our yards or on our porches and patios. Our minds need clearing as much as our closets, garages and basements need cleaning and our hearts need encouragement as much as the living room needs a new coat of paint.

Finding Your Balance Exercise: You will need two pieces of paper; a winter-colored pen, pencil, marker or crayon; a Summer-colored pen, pencil, marker or crayon, some string, ribbon or yarn long enough to make a two-foot circle on the floor and to run back through the middle and a blindfold of some sort. (Remember this does not have to be perfect – it is the intent.)

1. On one piece of paper, using the Winter color, make a list of all the worries and concerns that have occupied your mind in the last few weeks. Maybe these are events that you wish you would have handled differently or circumstances you have no control over or problems you still need to solve. Limit your list to five or six items. (You can group concerns together if necessary.)
2. On the other piece of paper using the Summer color, make a list of things you can actually do to make your life easier. For example, “use a calendar to keep appointments straight” or “take a vacation” or “ask for help” etc. This list needs to be practical rather than romantic – think big. Limit this list as well and use the same grouping technique if you have to.
3. Then arrange your circle on the floor. The center line should go from West to East; this divides the circle in half leaving a North half and a South half. Place your Winter list in the North half of the Circle and your Summer list in the South half. Stand in the middle of the circle facing North. Study your list, think about how important all of the items are and how much of your time and energy they take. Blindfold yourself and say something like this “I’ve been facing my Winter tasks, working through the darkness. Now light balances dark.” Breathe slowly, through your nose and out through your mouth 10 times. As you do this, relax your body, particularly your neck and shoulders; do not lock your knees.
4. After your 10th breath, turn toward your right until you are facing South and breathe 10 more times, still relaxing and at the end of these 10 breaths say something like this, “Now light balances the darkness. I’m facing my Summer tasks, working in the light.” Read your Summer list and think about how easy the ideas you’ve written are to do. Realize that with just a little creativity and determination you can accomplish all of these things and that they will, in fact, make your other obligations easier to meet.
5. Then, turn in place all the way around until you are facing East, pick up the end of the string that bisects the circle, turn again to your right back toward the South and pick up your Summer list, still holding the end of the string or ribbon, walk away. Walk toward the South and keep going until the circle is all unwound. Once the circle-string is unwound, do something that helps you complete one of the items on your Summer list.

Many Blessings,
Chandra Ma