Spring Equinox Solitary Ritual by Dawn "Belladonna" Thomas

Background for this ritual

This ritual is written for the morning to enjoy the increasing light, warmth, and the greening of the earth. Persephone reemerges from the Underworld, the animals are waking from their winter rest and others are migrating home.

Themes

 - To seek balance and growth

 - To bless seeds of intention

 - To summon earth energy and manifest intentions

Preparation (Items needed for this ritual include the following):

 - White altar cloth

 - Four green candles for the directions

 - Lavender or purple candle

 - A black candle

 - A white candle

 - Matches to light candles

 - Colored eggs (or another gift for the Goddess)

 - Pomegranate seeds

 - Small cauldron

 - Cut flowers to mark the circle

 - Seeds for intentions

 - Feather from a migrating bird

 - Background music

Casting the circle

Lay flowers on the floor as you cast your circle and say:

Equal is the light and dark

With these flowers a circle I mark

Sunlight warms the greening earth

And the Goddess emerges for the land’s rebirth

Light the black candle

Calling the Goddess

After calling the goddess, light the lavender or purple candle and say:

Hail Persephone

Queen of the Underworld

You give form to the world

As the life on earth is renewed

It lights a spark within me

And awakens my soul

Join me in this circle

And bring warm light to this rite

Be with me today.

Calling the Elements

After calling the element, light a green candle and say:

Hail to the Spirit of the East, Element of Air. Blow away the stale winter air with your spring breeze. Please join me today. Light the candle in the East.

Hail to the Spirit of the South, Element of Fire. Warm the earth so the sleeping seeds can begin to emerge. Please join me today. Light the candle in the South.

Hail to the Spirit of the West, Element of Water. Let the spring tides flow into my soul. Please join me today. Light the candle in the West.

Hail to the Spirit of the North, Element of Earth. The beauty of the emerging life makes lush green meadows. Please join me today. Light the candle in the North.

Light the white candle from the black one to represent the light half of the year taking power from the dark half, saying:

I welcome the waxing light!

Extinguish the black candle while the white candle burns throughout the ritual. It can be relit on successive evenings until it is completely burned down to represent lighting the path of spring.

Sitting in front of the altar, hold the flower seeds in the palm of one hand with your other hand cupped over it. Concentrate on your wishes or intentions. Let the energy and vision flow from your mind into the seeds. Visualize your wish or intentions coming to fruition. After the ritual plant the seeds. If you are unable to plant them, leave them in a place where you can see them to remind you of your wishes or intentions.

Call forth the power of Persephone

Pick up the pomegranate seeds and say:

Blessed be the coming of spring

The spring of Persephone

She blesses the earth with life

I feel you, Persephone, nearer and stronger

Your love for the land and people

Blessing and restoring us once more

The pull of the pomegranate weakens

And you are with us again

I feel you, Persephone

And welcome you home

After the ritual, sprinkle the pomegranate seeds as a gift for the wildlife. Or if you prefer bury them to return them to the Underworld

Release the Goddess and the Elements
Persephone, I ask that your blessings remain in my heart and that I live in harmony with all that dwell on the earth. Thank you for joining me today. Hail and Farewell. Extinguish the lavender or purple candle. 

Spirit of the North, the earth brings forth new life. Thank you for joining me today. Hail and Farewell. Extinguish the candle in the North.

Spirit of the West, the waters are nourishing the land. Thank you for joining me today. Hail and Farewell. Extinguish the candle in the West.

Spirit of the South, the days are warming and nourishing the new growth.  Thank you for joining me today. Hail and Farewell. Extinguish the candle in the South.

Spirit of the East, the air is blowing precious breath and life on the earth. Thank you for joining me today. Hail and Farewell. Extinguish the candle in the East.

The Circle is open but remains unbroken.

Blessed Be!