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Try this at home: Celebrate the beginning of spring.
Although it is still cold and snowy here, we are now about six weeks from the Winter Solstice, and now we see the sun staying up a little longer.
Our ancestors in the Germanic countries came up with the idea of Groundhog Day. Why? Looking for signs from nature as to how much longer before things warm up.
In the Celtic calendar, this is Imbolc, the beginning of the lambing season, a sign of spring. For the Irish, it is also Brigid's Day, the goddess and patroness of the home arts, midwives, poets and blacksmiths. For those of you still thinking spring comes later, the Celtic calendar has May 1 as the beginning of summer. Brigid was later declared a saint by the church, some say as a way to win the hearts of the Irish in the conversion process.
Above, you see a photo of a Brigid's cross, which people would traditionally weave from rushes or straw at this time of year and then hang that symbol by the front door for protection of the home, and to keep evil, fire and hunger away.
This year the same day is also the Chinese new year, the year of the tiger. Tiger traits are powerful, energetic, fiery, dynamic, adventurous and impulsive. Chinese new year is celebrated in many Asian countries, not just China.
Traditions like spring cleaning are associated with this time, as the name of the month comes from the Latin word to clean, cleanse or purify.
So clearing out junk prepares the house for the new season. As a result of our clearing, we have room to plant new seeds in our life. This spring, what do we want to plant, cultivate and nurture into our life this year?
In preparation for your next season of growth, put some thought into what you want to plant before it is time to plant.
Parallel example. If you want to begin a new relationship or work on improving one you have, how would you do that? I you want to start or grow your business this year, how would you do that?
Remember, where your thoughts go, your energy goes, so the clarity of your thoughts and words, the more certain that you will be successful in your endeavors.