The winter can be a harsh and unforgiving time of year. While some winters will be milder than others, having to endure the frustrating chill of this season can make even the strongest individuals feel exhausted. People have been feeling stressed over the winter so long that many religions of the world have in-depth rituals surrounding the idea of bringing the spring back to the world. While there is no guarantee that following any of these practices is going to make a difference in the seasonal shift, it can still be interesting to take a look at your options.
These pagan rituals from around the world are all spring-centric and made to welcome warmer weather. Check out a few examples, and see how people have made it through the winter in years gone by.
Ostara Altars
Altars are a big deal in most religions. For some, an altar is a personal structure in a home where prayers can be said and rituals can be observed. Others relate altars to places of worship where holy figures stand before crowds and deliver sermons. For many pagans, altars help to mark the time between seasons and events. When the winter begins to wind down, it is common to see pagans setting up Ostara altars. Ostara is simply another name for the vernal equinox, the celestial event that brings in the spring.
These altars tend to have very specific images related to them. Since the spring is often symbolized as a time of “new life,” it is normal to place objects related to baby animals on the altar. A stuffed bunny, for example, is a perfect representation of the season. Some even place baskets of eggs on the altar, a way to symbolize the potential of tomorrow and all that awaits within its “shell.” Should you decide to create your own Ostara altar to welcome the season, feel free to decorate it in the most meaningful way to you.
Reflections
Across various pagan groups, the coming of spring is a time of welcomed meditation. Though the practice is one many pagans will involve themselves in on a regular basis, the end of winter often ushers in a time of more focused meditation. The winter is usually a time of idleness, and meditating at the end of the season can help a person collect all of the various thoughts he or she has had in this downtime.
By engaging in regular meditation, a person is likely to feel rejuvenated and ready for whatever trials and tribulations the spring might bring. The idea here is to clear the mind of any leftover junk from seasons of the past. Think of it as a kind of mental spring cleaning, one that allows a person the chance to dust away the cobwebs lingering in his or her head and prepare for whatever tomorrow has in store.
Seeds of Hope
Helping the world prepare for the spring can also be a wonderful way to say goodbye to the end of winter. The springtime is often associated with bursts of blooms and dazzling spectacles of green as plants start to come back to life after the doldrums of winter have faded. To get yourself and the world around you ready for this arrival, you might find it calming to plant some bulbs in your garden. Doing this a few weeks before spring arrives can help to time out the growth of the plants with the coming season.
Winter can be a difficult season to get through. It might begin in a fun way, with a nice chill and some snow, but it easily transforms into a miserable and mucky experience. If you’re ready for a change in temperature, see which springtime rituals can help to get you in the right mindset for what’s in store.