Spiritual Spring Cleaning
by Kari Sioux Gordon • Levittown, NY

Winter is the time of year when we undergo the greatest amount of stress, both positive and negative. Traditionally, this season is for going within, slowing down, healing, hibernating. The shorter days mean less exercise and less emotional release, which adds to the buildup of feelings of anger, fear and depression. Especially this year, when we had a new stress: the shock of the attack on America. As more time passes and we gain a different perspective on our lives, I hope that we will deal with the very personal emotions that have been touched and opened up by this recent, horrendous tragedy, and begin our own personal healing journey.

To help us on that journey, along comes Spring! There’s color, new growth and a freshness in the air. The crocuses pop up and bask in our excitement at seeing their indomitable spirits pushing through the still hard earth to bring us beauty. We need a celebration, an honoring ceremony in which we do a cleansing, releasing the old energy to create a bright, welcoming space for the new. Spring cleaning of the home is a time-honored tradition. When we cleanse our individual consciousnesses as well as our homes and bodies, by extension we cleanse the collective consciousness of the Planet and the Universe.

The first new moon of Spring takes place on April 8, in the sign of Aries. Aries represents energy, activity, passion; it is the sign of the Warrior, the Hero, the romantic who believes that anything can be accomplished in the name of Love. At the new moon, do a personal, spiritual Spring Cleaning so that you may then bring in all the exciting, life affirming energy that the new moon brings. Release all negativity from within your every cell and chakra into Mother Earth and let her use that energy to promote new growth, new life, new hope. Breathe in Sacred Divine Light (bright, sparkly, silvery white light energy from the Universe) to heal, energize, protect and fill you with Unconditional Love. Then, release your dead emotions and embrace the birth of hope, courage, determination and Love.

On the New Moon Ceremony, stand outside on earth (not concrete) and, with outstretched arms, say aloud, I (state your name), willingly, joyfully and gently release all negativity in my body. I lovingly create and enter into a relationship with my beloved Earth Mother where I promise to be conscious of my actions and responsible for their consequences. I perform this Ceremony for my highest good and the highest good of Mother Earth and all her beings.

This Spring, let’s do an additional cleansing and healing ceremony dedicated to our Earth Mother, because our every act of physical destruction is an insult to her. Like the patient, compassionate understanding Mother she is, all of our transgressions against her have been understood and forgiven, for we are her beloved children. But there comes a time in any relationship when both must stand up and take responsibility for their actions. We, as children, do not do this. We mutter insincere apologies and immediately proceed to another assault on Mother Earth’s tolerance, patience and dignity. The time to grow up is now, because when this mother loses her patience, it can be lethal: Screaming at us unleashes volcanoes, trembling with rage creates earthquakes, huge sighs of exasperation result in hurricanes and her tears of frustration cause floods.

Let us show our appreciation for our Mother Earth this Spring and every Spring hereafter, by giving her love in ways she understands:

• Plant wild flowers, berry bushes, fruit trees, trumpet flower vines and evergreens to feed and protect her non-human children (birds, insects, small animals.)
• Leave an undisturbed patch in your garden where tiny flowering weeds can thrive and feed the tiniest of insects, and where garden devas can do their magic.
• Place water in safe places for thirsty beings (birdbaths, large bowls and tiny bowls with pebbles in them so little bugs don’t drown.)
• Go organic and stop poisoning her soil with pesticides and chemicals.
• Dedicate half your harvest to Mother Earth and allow the birds and bugs to delight in the abundance of their daily feast.
• Bury a crystal that has been cleansed (buried in sea salt in a glass container for 24 hours), energized (placed in direct sunlight, not through glass, for 8 hours) and programmed with your gratitude and devotion. If possible, offer your commitment to her loving service (hold the crystal in your right hand, tell it what you want it to do, then open your hand and gently blow your breath on it.)

Spring represents innocence and trust, two qualities that were shattered in September. Let the Winter release of old, unproductive energies take away the extra shell of crusty, fearful protection we’ve put around ourselves. Let’s allow ourselves to begin believing in our ability to protect ourselves. We can mourn the passing of our childlike naiveté, but perhaps this was just our passage, America’s passage, into the stage of Adulthood. Let’s embrace the power and confidence that come with that. We can accept the challenges of growth and persist, just as the crocus accepts the challenge of pushing itself through the hard, cold crust of the earth in order to survive, and then blossom, thereby perpetuating the cycle of life. Happy Spring!

Kari Sioux Gordon teaches the life-affirming, life-changing Journey of the Sacred Path. Reach her at (516) 731-8921.