This week, we observed the spring equinox (also called Ostara and the vernal equinox), which has historically been celebrated as a time of balance, rebirth, and new possibilities. For many regions, this is a time when the light and darkness of day and night even out, and we can feel that the world is rejoicing as it slowly stretches itself out of winter hibernation and emerges once again into the sun.

Considering the chaos, violence, and uncertainty that abounds this year, it may be more difficult to access these springlike feelings of bright, new beginnings. Well, don’t let this stop you from re-energizing your hopes and aspirations—Here are six rituals that can get you going.

Create a spring altar

With each change of season comes a chance to start anew. Give this idea life by creating a physical altar to represent the fresh opportunity that comes with spring. Here are some ideas to play with as you create your altar:

Colors: Green or gold

Crystals: Citrine, amber, green aventurine, carnelian, chrysoprase

Flowers: Sunflowers, marigolds, daffodils

Herbs: St. John’s wort, cinnamon, burdock root, chamomile, jasmine, and rose

Food: Seeds of any kind, oranges, lemons, any spring fruit or vegetable

Coins or paper money for abundance

Add a prayer for peace

Bless water

Carve out some quiet time in your schedule and fill a pitcher with water. Take a clean bowl and pour the water from the pitcher into the bowl four times, infusing each pour with meaning. 

For the initial pour, express appreciation for your life. The second pour should be saturated with your appreciation for the work of those who have come before you. The third pour is infused with an appreciation for the future possibilities, and the fourth pour asks for balance within your life.

Silently bless the water, then use the energetically charged water to fill your water bottle so that you can sip on it throughout the day. This is a symbolic way of assimilating your blessings.

Create a vow to yourself

It is too often that we treat ourselves badly, subjecting ourselves to harsh criticism and unkind language. To offset this, take a moment to remind yourself that you are the most important person in your life and that you should treat yourself as someone precious. 

Spring is a great time to start recognizing your true value. Do this by making a vow to yourself. You can write your vow on beautiful stationery and put it somewhere visible so that you can see it every day.

Here are some ideas to get you started:

I vow to love and accept myself as I am.
I vow to be kind to myself and forgive myself for all real or imagined mistakes that I have made.
I vow to eat healthily and to take care of my body.
I vow to fill my life with love and joy.

Write a wishlist to the universe

For this ritual, you will need paper and a writing utensil to create a list of your deepest desires, a fireproof bowl, and a paper towel or a cup. First, reflect on what you desire most and write them down. Then, (carefully) burn the list you made in a fireproof bowl. Once the ashes are cool, place them in a paper towel or cup.

The next step is to scatter the ashes on the earth with the intention of grounding them in the physical plane. Finish the ritual by offering a flower or a piece of fruit to Mother Earth for hearing your prayers.

Nourish yourself

The next time you have a pomegranate handy, then do this nourishing ritual. Light a candle and place one hand on your heart and the other on your belly. Breathe in gently and eat six pomegranate seeds. Each seed will represent something different.

For instance, the first seed can represent self-nourishment and self-esteem. The second creativity, passion, desire, procreation, and vitality; the third represents compassion; the fourth for transmutation and letting go so that you can achieve wholeness; the fifth seed for wisdom and understanding; and the last represents the honoring of all cycles, acknowledging that every death is a rebirth.

Make spring care packages

Create your own “spring care packages” by filling them with an assortment of goodies. This can include energy bars, assorted nuts, a piece of fruit, or your favorite chocolate bar, along with handwritten inspirational notes (like something along the lines of you are amazing! The Universe has your back!) And anything else that brings joy. You can even throw in a five-dollar bill or a small crystal for abundance and prosperity, but ultimately it’s up to you to decide what you share.

Make as many care packages as you can and then spend an afternoon giving them out to strangers. If you wish to help out a particular community, like the homeless for example, then consider adding practical items like a toothbrush, toothpaste, and some socks!