Spring Equinox Reflection

Mar 20, 2020 All day

We invite you to join with us as we mark the Spring Equinox.

Preparation

Materials needed:
A candle, or nightlight.
Daffodils or another flower or plant
Some seeds
Music: See list of suggested music at end of ritual.

The Ritual

Begin by settling into a quiet space.

The word Equinox comes from the latin words “asquus” meaning equal and “nox” meaning night – “equal night”

The equinox marks a point of balance in the earth’s yearly cycle. At this time of equinox, we are reminded that there is no light reigning supreme over darkness, there is no darkness overcoming light, instead everything is held in balance. This is the time of year when the energies of new birth and creativity are at their highest.

Spring Equinox falls in the middle of the Christian season of Lent – a season that calls us to hold in balance the growth and the pain, the light and the darkness and all the experiences that have helped shape who we are today.

Over 5,000 years ago our ancient ancestors built great passage tombs in the Boyne Valley to mark the important points in the solar year. The monuments in Knowth and Loughcrew mark the equinoxes, with Cairn T receiving the rising sun on the morning of the equinoxes and Knowth receiving the rising sun on the east facing passage and the setting sun on the west facing passage on the equinoxes.

The true meaning of what these chambers meant for our ancestors may never be known but it does point to an awareness of the whole cosmos and the interconnectedness of everything.

Today we join with our ancestors as we mark Spring Equinox in 2020.

March is the month of the daffodils….Before we go into quiet let us welcome the Daffodils.

We invite you to read aloud the poem “Daffodils” by William Wordsworth

Daffodils

I wander’d lonely as a cloud

That floats on high o’er vales and hills,

When all at once I saw a crowd,

A host of golden daffodils;

Beside the lake, beneath the trees,

Fluttering and dancing in the breeze

Continuous as the stars that shine

And twinkle on the Milky Way,

They stretch’d in never-ending line

Along the margin of the bay:

Ten thousand saw I at a glance,

Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

The waves beside them danced, but they

Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:-

A poet could not but be gay

In such jocund company

I gazed- and gazed- but little thought

What wealth the show to me had brought

For oft, when on my couch I lie

In vacant or in pensive mood,

They flash upon that inward eye

Which is the bliss of solitude;

And then my heart with pleasure fills

And dances with the daffodils

Music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9sLHj4-M3f8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNqK1Ej39qk&t=101s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bW6TZn4w0Rk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cI4ryatVkKw

Light

Mindfully light your candle inviting in the light:

I kindle my light this day
in the presence of the holy angels of heaven….
God, kindle in my heart within
a flame of love

Reflection:

At this spring equinox time am I being invited to see myself in a new light? … Pause

At this spring equinox time are we being invited as a community to see ourselves in a new light? …..Pause

Meditation

Step 1:
Become aware of your breath. Don’t try to change it.
Breathe in gently, breathe out gently.
Focus on breathing in and breathing out for a few minutes (or longer if you have time.

If your mind wanders, gently bring yourself back to your breath, back to the present
moment.

You will find yourself feeling calmer as you focus on your breath.
You will find yourself going deeper and deeper into relaxation.

Step 2:

I want you now to visualize a soft fleecy white cloud enveloping you.
Then hear the word of Scripture that Jesus speaks to each of us.
“You are the light of the world.”

Yes, you are the light of the world.

Rest for a while, in the presence of Divine Light, surrounding you and protecting you.

Step 3:

After a while you may wish to visualize that light covering:
…        a member of your family,
…        a friend,
—        someone who is ill
Spread that mantle of light over the whole world at this time.

Step 4:

When you are ready come back to focus on your breath for a few moments.

Be aware of where you are and those around you.

Open your eyes and be at peace.

Seeds
Hold the seeds in the palm of your hand. (or imagine a handful of seeds)
When we really look at the seed, we can appreciate the life potential of the seed.

Reflection:

Let us give gratitude for the Divine in the seed. (Pause)

The life is in the seed but it will never be realised unless planted.

At this spring equinox time what are the seeds within us waiting to be planted today.. Pause

At this spring equinxo time are we being invited to see our planet in a new way? …… Pause

Before you plant the seeds, you might like to remember your reflections from tonight.

We are all guardians of the earth.

Music: Earth My Body https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gpdn13HL9vI

Annunciation

March Equinox is the time when we look forward to the increasing light
Many cultures celebrate spring festivals and holidays around this time. In the Christian tradition we celebrate The Annunciation of the Light of the World, the Annunciation of the Birth of Jesus on March 25^th.

Reflection:

Annunciation is for everyone. We are all invited to live in the Light, to be bearers of the Light, to share the light, to rejoice in the light.

And like Mary, Mother of Jesus, say:

“My soul gives glory to my God

My spirit rejoices in God my saviour”
My heart pours out its praises”

Music: Magnificat https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0y67GDT2kwU&t=25s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfhvLjJ1wdQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WrP_9Jpfkc

Final Blessing

In the sowing of the seed – my soul gives glory to my God

In the increasing light – my soul gives glory to my God.

In the warmth of the sun – my soul gives glory to my God.