Why do we think of spring as a time to change our lives or rid ourselves of things we don’t need?
Spring is just around the corner! And with Spring comes the perfect opportunity for cleansing, renewal, and rebirth.
If you want to truly get the most out of the opportunity to use Spring as a fresh start, this is for you!
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In Indigenous culture, spring is thought of as a time of rebirth and renewal. Not only is this true in nature, but it’s also true for the cycle of our lives. As winter comes to an end, we find ourselves wanting to refresh or cleanse ourselves and move into a new chapter.
That’s not always easy to accomplish! And not being able to take full advantage of this chance for a fresh start can leave us feeling disappointed and purposeless.
That’s why, today, we’re talking about 4 indigenous teachings you can focus on during spring to help you cleanse your life and get the fresh start you need.
Why do we associate Spring with tidying up, change, and growth?
In Indigenous culture, the seasons often align with certain traditions or beliefs. That’s why we might participate in certain activities at certain times of year or feel the need to cleanse our space during others!
Spring also has a distinct meaning in indigenous culture – it’s an important part of indigenous teachings like the Medicine Wheel, which reminds us how our lives, like the seasons, are all connected in a circle.
While Spring might mean something different to everyone, if you want to really understand Spring and how to maximize the benefits of this new, exciting season, then there are some Indigenous teachings about spring that can help you.
Smudging is all about intentions and setting realistic goals. If you're not sure how to set a goal or intention, check out this article on how to set clear intentions!
#1 - WHAT IS THE MEANING OF SPRING IN INDIGENOUS CULTURE?
Spring represents a time of REBIRTH and GROWTH. The warm weather returns, plants bloom, and animals come out of hibernation.
SPRING marks a time of RENEWAL and reminds us that GOOD THINGS ARE AHEAD.
In Indigenous culture, this reminder is IMPORTANT because it REMINDS US OF THE CYCLICAL NATURE OF MOTHER EARTH. Everything is connected and works together to move through the four chapters of the seasons. Spring always arrives to remind us of growth and rebirth – no matter how long or cold or difficult the winter has been.
Understanding the MEANING OF SPRING can help you really focus on what is important for this season of your life. It can help you focus on the GOOD THINGS TO COME and choose a new direction to IMPROVE YOUR LIFE or experience a CLEANSE that will help you shake off the past and look forward with hope and positivity.
If you want to learn more Indigenous teachings, check out this article about the Teachings in the Indigenous Culture!
#2 - SMUDGING TO CLEANSE YOUR SPACE
If SPRING is a time OF CLEANSING AND RENEWAL, then it is the perfect time to CLEANSE YOUR SPACE OF NEGATIVE ENERGY.
In Indigenous culture, smudging is used to purify a room, home, or even your mind of negative energy and invite in new, positive energy.
Spring is the perfect time to do this and give yourself a fresh start!
One of the simplest ways to ENGAGE WITH INDIGENOUS TEACHINGS DURING SPRING is to smudge. This ritual is simple and effective and can make you feel more focused, grounded, and even more positive.
The best way to start a new chapter or season is to FOCUS ON YOUR ENERGY FIRST. Get into the right mindset to start a new season and the rest will follow – like rejuvenating your space or starting a new journey.
New to smudging? Download our Sacred Medicines & Smudging guide below!
Not sure what materials to use when smudging? Learn to Smudge in 5 minutes by reading our article "Smudging for Beginners"!
#3 - THE MEDICINE WHEEL
If you’re looking to really DIVE INTO THE MEANING OF SPRING, then it’s important to understand THE MEDICINE WHEEL.
In INDIGENOUS CULTURE, the Medicine Wheel is a SYMBOL BROKEN INTO 4 QUADRANTS and each QUADRANT HAS ITS OWN MEANING. These four sections can represent the four states of being, the four stages of life, the four directions… and THE FOUR SEASONS!
The EAST represents SPRING. This is the place of NEW BEGINNINGS, DAWN, and REBIRTH. This season is often represented by the color YELLOW, like sunrise.
Many of the qualities of SPRING are the same as BABIES or CHILDREN – curiosity, wonder, excitement, growth, vulnerability. Spring is the time to NURTURE THESE QUALITIES.
The Medicine Wheel teaches us the balance of all things and reminds us what to FOCUS ON during the NEW SEASON.
Want your very own copy of our Medicine Wheel? Download it below!
#4 - REFLECTION
Finally, and maybe most importantly, Spring is a time for REFLECTION – and Indigenous Teachings can help remind us of that fact.
Reflection can mean MANY THINGS. It can mean focusing on what’s really important to us or reminding ourselves that all things are connected to help RENEW our sense of PURPOSE or VALUE.
Sometimes in Spring we like to focus on MINIMALISM – purging ourselves of the things we DON’T NEED and only keeping what we truly NEED.
This can be an IMPORTANT PART OF ACCEPTING THE GIFTS SPRING HAS TO OFFER by CLEANSING OURSELVES OF THE PAST AND MOVING INTO THE FUTURE FEELING LIGHTER, CLEANSED, OR REBORN.
If you want to learn more about indigenous people, cultures, practices, and beliefs, visit our website, Tribal Trade Co., for tons of resources at your fingertips.
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