The first day of spring, also known as the pagan holiday, is a time that marks the changing of seasons and the arrival of warmer weather. This holiday has origins in ancient cultures and is often celebrated with various rituals and traditions. Many pagan traditions believe that the first day of spring is a time of renewal and rebirth. It is seen as a symbol of new beginnings and the end of the cold winter months. People gather to honor and celebrate the changing of the seasons, showing gratitude for the earth's abundance and fertility. One of the most common traditions on the first day of spring is the practice of creating and displaying spring altars.
If you’re quite sensitive to the moon, you’ll definitely feel an energetic shift around this time and might experience some heightened emotions. Full moon hangovers are real. When the moon is at its peak, focus on spending time in reflection. Think back and note all of your wins and hype yourself up. We rarely celebrate ourselves, so have some fun and do whatever it is that feels good to you, so you can express how you’re feeling. This could be having an essential oil-infused ritual bath, a solo dance party, a good old cry or writing a list of gratitude. As it might be an emotional time for you, consider what you’re being called to let go of or any areas in need of some forgiveness. If you have any spiritual tools like crystals, you can cleanse and charge them up under the full moon, by placing them on a windowsill or somewhere safe in a garden.
In Ayurvedic teachings, spirituality, witchcraft and nature-based practices, using the elements of earth, air, water, fire and spirit are a way to reconnect to nature and optimise our wellbeing. Besides creating a calming and relaxing atmosphere, lighting candles during the new moon can act as a symbol to burn away negative energy during this powerful time of cleansing and renewal.
One of the most common traditions on the first day of spring is the practice of creating and displaying spring altars. These altars are decorated with fresh flowers, greenery, and symbols of fertility. It is believed that by offering these gifts of nature, one can invite positive energy and abundance into their lives.
So, what do you even do in a Moon Ritual?
You might be seeing a bunch of posts every fortnight with #moonritual written underneath, overhearing conversations along the lines of, “Yeah, I’m sure I feel like this because it’s a full moon”, or hearing the moon mentioned every so often in yoga classes and magazine features.
Well, what’s the big deal about the moon anyway? Working with the phases of the moon can actually be a great way to explore yourself, your emotions and how you move through the world around you. If you’re interested in spirituality or personal development the moon can provide a timed framework for your practices and help you track your growth and intentions.
What you need to know
You can do a moon ritual at any phase in the moon’s 29.5 day cycle, but many people tend to focus their ritual energy on the juicy new moon and full moon. You can download a calendar app like this one, to check in to see what phase and sign the moon is in. The moon moves into a different zodiac sign roughly every 2.5 days, for example you might see that the moon is in Aquarius on one Wednesday and on the Friday it will be in Pisces.
The signs give the moon a bit of a vibe or energy that we can all connect to and they work as amazing topics to focus on and explore in our rituals. So, if the new moon is in Leo then we might want to look at how we express ourselves and our creative energy. Whereas if there was a full moon in Virgo, we’d focus on the routines and structures we have in our lives and how we can release the feelings of thinking that we’re not good enough.
The actual rituals
For both your new moon and full moon rituals or anytime you need to create a safe, sacred and serene space for yourself, here’s two ways that you can get started and add some magic to your self-care practice:
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In Ayurvedic teachings, spirituality, witchcraft and nature-based practices, using the elements of earth, air, water, fire and spirit are a way to reconnect to nature and optimise our wellbeing. Incorporating these elements into your rituals can offer great structure. So, think about the intention you’re setting for this ritual, or use the zodiac sign of the moon that you’re in to guide what items you’ll use to represent the different elements. For earth, you can use crystals or a bowl of soil, water can be your favourite beverage or a jug of water, fire can be a scented candle and air can be doing some smoke cleansing with dried herbs to cleanse your space. Place all of these items around you before heading into your new moon or full moon ritual. Spirit is yourself, so always begin and end your rituals by connecting to yourself or the universe.
New Moon
This is a time for bringing in new beginnings and fresh cycles. When the moon isn’t visible in the sky yet, now’s the time to get super still so you can listen in to your intuition. Check in with yourself to get clarity on where you’re at in your life right now and what you’re trying to grow, nourish and cultivate. Get your space set up, then spend time in meditation or doing some breathwork, before writing some intentions in your journal. Use the energy of the zodiac sign that the new moon is in to guide you. Write your intentions in the present tense, as if you’re already experiencing them and they can be any goals or desires that you’re focusing on at the moment. It could be around your self-care practices, relationships with others, career, travel or self-growth.
Full Moon
If you’re quite sensitive to the moon, you’ll definitely feel an energetic shift around this time and might experience some heightened emotions. Full moon hangovers are real. When the moon is at its peak, focus on spending time in reflection. Think back and note all of your wins and hype yourself up. We rarely celebrate ourselves, so have some fun and do whatever it is that feels good to you, so you can express how you’re feeling. This could be having an essential oil-infused ritual bath, a solo dance party, a good old cry or writing a list of gratitude. As it might be an emotional time for you, consider what you’re being called to let go of or any areas in need of some forgiveness. If you have any spiritual tools like crystals, you can cleanse and charge them up under the full moon, by placing them on a windowsill or somewhere safe in a garden.
Giselle La Pompe-Moore is a writer, spiritual guide, tarot reader, meditation teacher and the founder of Project Ajna.
New Moon: Manifesting, renewal, beginnings, initiation, planting seeds, self reflection, growth, inner work, hope, cleansing
Another ritual often performed on this holiday is the lighting of bonfires. These fires symbolize the warmth and light returning to the earth after the darkness of winter. People gather around the bonfires, singing songs, dancing, and sharing food and drink. It is a time of community and connection, as people come together to celebrate the changing of the seasons. In addition to these rituals, some pagans also perform divination rituals on the first day of spring. This involves using various methods, such as tarot cards or pendulums, to gain insight into the future. It is believed that on this day, the veil between the physical and spiritual world is thinnest, making it an opportune time for divination. The first day of spring pagan holiday is a time of joy and celebration. It is a time to honor the earth, connect with nature, and welcome the return of warmth and light. Whether through rituals, gatherings, or individual practices, pagans embrace this holiday as a time of renewal and growth..
Reviews for "A Tribute to Growth and Fertility: Understanding the Symbolism of the First Day of Spring in Pagan Beliefs"
1. John - 2 stars
I was really disappointed with the "First Day of Spring Pagan Holiday" event. It was hyped up to be this amazing celebration of nature and rebirth, but all I saw was a bunch of people dressed in weird costumes, dancing around a bonfire. I didn't understand the symbolism behind any of it, and it just felt like a bunch of pretentious nonsense. I expected more educational aspects or at least some explanations of the traditions involved, but instead, it was just a bunch of people running around acting strange. Overall, I was not impressed.
2. Sarah - 1 star
I had high hopes for the "First Day of Spring Pagan Holiday", but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The event was poorly organized, with no clear instructions or schedule of activities. It felt chaotic and disorganized, and I couldn't figure out what was happening half of the time. The lack of information about the history and significance of the holiday was also disappointing. I expected to learn something new and gain a deeper understanding of pagan traditions, but all I got was confusion and frustration. I would not recommend this event to anyone looking for a meaningful and well-organized celebration of the Spring Equinox.
3. Emily - 2 stars
The "First Day of Spring Pagan Holiday" was not what I was expecting at all. I thought it would be a serene and spiritual gathering, but it turned out to be quite the opposite. The event was overcrowded, and people were pushing and shoving to get closer to the main ceremony. It felt more like a rowdy party than a spiritual experience. The lack of respect for the sacredness of the holiday was disappointing. Instead of feeling connected to nature and the divine, I left feeling overwhelmed and disconnected. The organizers need to work on creating a more peaceful and meaningful atmosphere for future events.