The nature of balance

By: Stephanie M.

With the upcoming Vernal Equinox (aka Ostara), now seems like a perfect time to talk about the nature of balance and new beginnings.  Light and dark are only the most obvious examples.  Balance in life is never as easy as it looks.  Observing day and night in equal parts is easy.

Life is more like a pendulum where balance is achieved only occasionally with the ebb and flow.  Sometimes balance is a matter of choice.  With magick, things can get both easier or more complex in our search for balance. In some cultures, the Vernal Equinox is celebrated as the beginning of the new year.  The reason that Easter changes every year is because it is calculated as the first Sunday after the first full moon after the Vernal Equinox. So, how do we reconcile those both balance and new beginnings all wrapped up in one Quarter day?

First, we can note that the two things are not mutually exclusive.  The achievement of balance often helps us to start things anew.  Why?  Because we’ve seen both end of the pendulum.  We’ve ridden the wave and have settled into a steady state, ready to put that knowledge to work.

We’ve come through the darkness of Yule, we’ve seen the rekindling of the Light at Imbolc, the Goddess Persephone returns from the Underworld, heralding the return of spring and now it’s time to start looking at the coming year.

So what can we do to ride this new wave of light and energy?  Getting out into the light would be a good way to start.  Thanking the Goddess for returning to bring Spring and warmth and life back into the land is another.  Leaving the darkness and negativity behind and look to new starts with joy and laughter in our hearts.  Spring cleaning—getting rid of the things that will not serve us in the coming year.  Making plans for growth.  Planting seeds, literally or figuratively.  Renewing protections and freshening up our living areas.

For myself, I go with spring cleaning in preparation—getting rid of things I no longer need or want, cleaning and freshening my space, renewing wards and protections.  I do set up a table with at least seven items like the Persians do (they have some of the oldest surviving traditions).  This table will have painted eggs (sound familiar?), hyacinths, candles, sumac (a spice), coins (for prosperity), a mirror, apples.  I also clean and freshen my Wiccan altar.  New candles for the Deities, fresh incense, etc.  For both the Persian table and my altar, I set everything with intention—I picture the cleansing getting rid of anything dark or clingy I picked up over the winter, I picture the light coming in along with the warmth.  I set intentions of prosperity and joy for the New Year.

There are so many things that we can do that are actually celebrations of life and laughter, and joy and love.  Opening ourselves to the possibilities of a new year is also a fantastic way to start.

Bright blessings and a Happy New Year to all!