Hello beautiful soul,

Wow, it's been quite a while since my last newsletter—six months, to be precise. I fully embraced a period of retreat, as mentioned in my latest blog post, coinciding with the Autumn Equinox. Now, just a week before the Spring Equinox, as I write this introduction, I realize I've been coming out of hibernation. Suddenly, there's a shift in my energy levels, a surge of new ideas, and a genuine eagerness to act on these inspirations. After months of quietude, I think it's time for an update and to set a positive intention to resume my newsletters, a task that brings me much happiness.

Rebirth
From October through the Autumn and Winter months, the card I consistently drew from The Herbal Astrology Oracle was Ayahuasca, symbolizing Rebirth in this deck. The message was clear: "Allow yourself to be shattered as you journey through the cosmic womb." And shattered I felt, only to emerge reborn with the arrival of Spring. Curious about what lies ahead, I consulted the cards again and received Cacao - Initiation. This suggests there may be challenges ahead, yet they're steps toward achieving my dreams and reaching where I need to be. Speaking of dreams, the end of the Pisces season brought intense, vivid dreaming, often about chaotic, intense events. I'm now looking forward to a calmer, quieter period that seems to be on the horizon. I'm especially eager to see what Aries, a fire sign, has in store for me.

I'll delve into Aries and how to engage with this sign further along in this newsletter.

Dream home
For those who've been following me or my newsletters for a while, you might remember that my partner and I moved into a new house last July and had some renovations to tackle. For anyone curious, we haven't completed the work yet. Autumn and Winter didn't seem like the right times to proceed, as these seasons called for introspection and retreat, leaving us without the energy to focus on home improvements. However, as Spring approaches, we're excited to finally start creating the home we've been dreaming of. More updates to come!

Learnings
Regarding personal updates, not much has changed, except I celebrated my 35th birthday a few weeks ago and treated myself to two online courses. I've embarked on fulfilling a long-held dream of learning about and working with herbs by enrolling in a stress-related herbal course at The Herbal Academy. Additionally, I've started studying shamanic healing under Alberto Villoldo, a significant inspiration to me in Shamanic teachings, through The Four Winds. I'm eager to share what I learn, so if you're interested, please reach out. I'm also curious to hear about your experiences during these introspective months.

Approaching Spring 🌱

As previously mentioned, the onset of Spring is just around the corner. This shift is noticeable in the air and visible in nature's transformations. Early bloomers like crocuses, daffodils, hyacinths, and blue hyacinths are peeking through the soil. The first trees of Spring, such as magnolia and East Asian cherry, are beginning to flower. Birds are busy at work constructing nests, preparing a cozy space for their upcoming offspring. In particular, there's a group of very active magpies right outside our house, captivating me with their lively behavior and inspiring me to create the house of my dreams.

Oh, how I adore the shift between seasons, especially the transition from Winter to Spring. It's like a glorious awakening, where nature comes to life and we feel a rejuvenation in ourselves and our surroundings.

Spring begins tomorrow, on Wednesday, March 20th, with the Spring Equinox, marking the day when daylight and nighttime are equally long. Following this, days will start to outlast the nights.

Today marks the final day of both the Winter season and Pisces season, as well as the close of the astrological year. On this significant day, if you find a moment, take time to ponder these transitions and the dawn of new beginnings. The forthcoming period presents an opportune moment to:

Sowing the seeds of your aspirations;
Clearing out clutter to create space;
Setting goals for the upcoming year;
Recharging with vibrant, new energy;
Crafting a vision board for your dreams.

My vision board for the new astrological year

Welcoming Aries Season 🐐

As the Spring Equinox arrives, the Sun seamlessly shifts into the Aries constellation. Aries, known as the Warrior, the Defender, and the Wild Woman in harmony with wolves, is the first sign of the zodiac, heralding new beginnings. Being a fire sign, Aries provides the courage, strength, and vitality needed to pursue your aspirations. However, with the season of Spring gradually unfolding and energies still emerging, this time encourages introspection to discern where your efforts are best invested. Ask yourself: What deserves my energy? And concentrate on that.

As the first zodiac sign, linked to the first house, Aries emphasizes self-awareness. The theme of this season is self-discovery, understanding what matters to you, and identifying your battles (embodying the Warrior). By looking inward and focusing on personal growth, you're laying the foundation for a resilient, sovereign self to rely on. As the year progresses towards more social and active phases, this inner strength will be your cornerstone.

A strong, independent self 🔥

"What does the change of seasons mean for us collectively?" I pondered, consulting my new Woodland Wardens card deck, with the Spring season in mind. Drawing two cards, the first was The Cat and Lavender, symbolizing independence. This immediately struck a chord with the essence of Aries for me - embodying a strong, self-reliant character and following one's intuition. The second card, The Porcupine and Anemone, represented boundaries, which again echoed Aries' theme of a solid, self-sufficient identity and the importance of directing your energy consciously. Strong boundaries allow us to focus our efforts on what truly aligns with our goals, rather than dispersing energy on misaligned people, projects, or activities.

At first glance, the cards seemed to speak directly to Aries season, highlighting the theme of a strong, independent self. Yet, I also recognized their relevance to Spring. This season encourages us to stay true to ourselves, setting the stage for our full bloom in Summer. The cards' message underscores the importance of self-care: you cannot extend support to others without first attending to your own needs. This involves forging a strong personal identity, understanding your life's mission, acknowledging your limits and desires, and honoring your energy and time.

This resonates deeply with where I find myself at the moment. I've been realigning with my goals for the year, and crafting a vision board has been incredibly clarifying. With a clearer direction now, I'm in a better position to carefully allocate my energy towards fulfilling those dreams. Throughout this month, I'll continuously reflect on the question: "What deserves my energy?" This will serve as a guide to stay aligned with my path and purpose.