As we round the corner out of Winter and into Spring, we begin to feel a shift. The shift in the air is palpable if we orient our human senses towards these changes: listening to the sounds of birds chirp again, seeing the increase in the amount of daylight, feeling lighter in our skin and bones.
These seasonal changes are activated by the astronomical travel of the sun's trajectory from the southern to the northern hemisphere as it crosses over the earth's equator during the vernal equinox, marked by March 21st. In addition, astrologically we are also shifting from the zodiac sign of Pisces into the cardinal fire sign of Aries, marked by March 20th - April 19th. Aries as the first sign in the zodiac, sets the tone for new beginnings. Represented as a cardinal fire sign, an Aries nature, like the symbol of the Ram, is of an initiating quality, fiery, assertive, determined, and enthusiastic, "I AM" is the mantra.
Since time immemorial, ancient sages and wisdom teachers like Hippocrates and Plato worked with the energies of the plants and planets, helping those who were in a state of dis-ease, through astrological birth charts and healing with plant botanicals. The hermetic adage, "As above, So below" speaks to the universal nature of interconnection between all living organisms on earth and to the planets in the solar system as one operating unit within the energetic matrix of life.
Essential oils or distilled concentrated fragrant plant material, carry particular elemental and aromatic qualities that align with the qualities of Aries and the Spring season. The sign of Aries is ruled by the planet, Mars in the astrological language. It is a fiery, hot planet and aromatically it is represented by aromas that are: spicey, sharp, herbaceous, citrus, mint.
To welcome this time of Aries and the Vernal Equinox, the essential oils I connect with are Basil (Ocimum basilicum), Black Pepper (Piper nigrum), and Ginger (Zingiber officinale) and Orange (Citrus sinensis) . Through ritual-- setting an intention, calling forth the Aries quality and archetype through desired essential oils, burning incense like Palo Santo sticks (https://rootandresin.com/products/palo-santo-ritual-kit) we may consciously connect with its elemental nature.
These Aries recommended essential oils may be found in our latest product of the Zodiac Collection, titled MARS Anointing Blend. Coming soon!
Here is a Spring Equinox ritual to invoke your inner Aries:
Leading up to the Spring Equinox:
- find a quiet space, light a candle.
- Create your intention or goal you want to set for a new beginning or change. It may be a project, a business, love..
- Place a drop of black pepper, orange, and ginger in your palm, rub them gently together and cup over the face, breathe in while thinking about this intention. “I am calling forth my inner Aries to create ______________ (fill in the blank)”.
- In a carrier oil, place a couple of drops of basil and massage your head and neck, holding the intention. Basil helps to stimulate the awareness in the musculoskeletal structures.
- Close your practice with gratitude.