Dear, Optimistic and Expectant Children of the Earth,
Spring is here! The Vernal Equinox has arrived! Days are getting longer, the Sun is getting stronger, sap is rising in the trees and we all feel pulled from our winter hibernation by the enticing Sun.
Equinox is one of two days in the year when Day and Night are of equal length. After the Spring Equinox, days get longer until we reach the Summer Solstice (the longest day of the year).
For centuries upon centuries people have set aside time at Equinox to reflect upon what they want to bring to birth in the coming season. It's time to think about your intentions: what fields to plant, what seeds to sow...literally and metaphorically.
The Spring Equinox 2019 is unusual because it takes place within hours of the Full Moon in Libra. The last time the Full Moon and Spring Equinox happened so close together was March 2000. The last time they occurred on the same date was March 20, 1981.
This Full Moon is also a "Super Moon", appearing much brighter and larger than normal.
In the language of Astrology, Libra is the sign of balance, of the diplomat and the peacemaker. We hear a lot these days about how extremely oppositional everything and everyone has become. Fear and rage seem to be as prevalent as the extreme weather events we're witnessing.
The Libran attitude of listening to all sides with grace and curiosity comes into this Equinox with the strong light of this Super Moon. In our individual lives, it's time to notice where we've gotten out of balance. And with grace and curiosity begin to bring intention to the seeds we are planting.
This Equinox, you could take a moment to step outside and notice what the Earth is showing us: Life is renewing itself.
We can too.
Blessed Be,
Mary
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Ode to Gratitude
Thanks to the word
that gives thanks,
Thanks to the gratitude
for how excellently
the word melts snow or iron.
The planet seemed full of threats
until soft
as a translucent
feather,
or sweet as a sugary petal,
from lip to lip,
it passed,
thank you
magnificent, filling the mouth,
or whispered
hardly voiced
and the soul became human again,
not a window,
some clear shine
penetrated the forest:
it was possible again to sing beneath the leaves.
Gratitude, you are medicine
opposing
scorn's bitter oxides,
light melting the cruel altar.
Perhaps
you are also
the carpet
uniting the most distant men,
passengers spread out
through nature
and the jungle
of unknown men,
merci,
as the delirious train
penetrates a new country,
eradicating frontiers,
spasibo,
joined with the sharp-cusped
volcanoes, frost and fire,
thanks, yes, gracias, and the Earth
turns into a table,
a single word swept it clean,
plates and cups glisten,
forks jingle,
and the flatlands seem like tablecloths.
Thanks, gracias,
you travel and return,
you rise
and descend.
It is understood, you don't
permeate everything,
but where the word of thanksgiving
appears like a tiny petal,
proud fists hide
and a penny's worth of a smile appears.
...Pablo Neruda
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Please check out these links for more information on the Equinox and ways to celebrate it:
https://www.almanac.com/content/first-day-spring-vernal-equinox
https://earthsky.org/?p=301190
https://www.thoughtco.com/all-about-ostara-the-spring-equinox-2562471