So how’s your balance? Not your equilibrium necessarily, but your sense of well-being?
There are two times during the year when we experience an equal number of daylight and nighttime hours. Those times are the vernal or spring equinox, and the autumnal or fall equinox. In the springtime people celebrate Ostara and in the fall they celebrate Mabon. Though each sabbat has a different theme, one thing they do have in common is that they are a time of balance. So exploring your own state of balance and the health of the world around you might be worth some meditation.
When I studied pathology we defined homeostasis as a balance in the systems of the body that produces health. The vernal equinox signals a new growing season as light increases until the summer solstice. There is a natural balance in the cycles of nature.
This year of 2020 seems to be signaling to us Earth dwellers that something is definitely awry. I agree with many that we have mistreated the planet and those living beings we share it with. That this Covid 19 virus that threatens us originated in a meat market in the midst of horrid filth is not surprising. But dwelling on the cause is pointless unless it helps to change future behavior.
As many of our lives have been changed dramatically over the past few weeks (and probably will be for some time to come), we will be forced to consider what we will need to do to adapt and survive: to return to a state of balance. Sadly, some people will hoard food and other necessities, while others will cooperate and share and care.
We won’t be gathering physically for an Ostara ritual this year in my coven. Those that can will connect via the internet. But as a solitary act of ritual observance I would like to suggest the following:
Hold a white jar candle between your hands and visualize the world in a state of balance. This would include the climate and other plant and animal beings which you see in a healthy state of balance. Feel these thoughts and their energy pass through your hands and enter the candle. Light the candle and allow it to burn down in a safe place.
Take a walk in nature. Plant some seeds or bulbs you have brought with you and return over the next few weeks to observe their growth. Of course, if you tend a garden go outside and refresh your spirit there. As they say, “Who plants a garden, plants hope.”
If you are confined to your home, set a daily schedule and stick to it. Plan time for meditation and divination and talk to the god and goddess. Cleanse and feng shui your dwelling place as you bless and ward against negative energy. Do some kitchen witchery and practice other witchy crafts. If you are there with children structure their day and teach them your magickal ways! Celebrate life and growth. Spiral dance with them and sing songs to the Goddess.
Basically do as much as you can that is positive and will help you to remain positive. Like attracts like and your thoughts are things. That is the basic premise of magick.
And one last thing to remember: you have great strength and the power to overcome. There have been some times in my life when I started to give in to feelings of helplessness. Believe it or not, at those times what helped me most was to look at myself in the mirror and say, “Snap out of it! You’re a witch! You’re a child of the Goddess and you have great power!”
May you stay safe and find balance during this time of change. The only thing that doesn’t change is the fact that things change. But don’t forget that we are magickal, and magick is all about change!
Blessings of Balance,
Sarina ☀️🌈🌧
The Magickal Cottage 