Celebrate the Spring Equinox with a Moon Ritual for Your Element Type

By Kate Downes, LAc TCM Practitioner
Photo above captured in Taipei, Taiwan during the cherry blossom blooms 🌸 

You know that cheerful feeling you get when you step outside and feel the first warm day after a cold winter? 

That’s the energy of the spring equinox. It’s all about lightness and freshness. Opportunity and optimism. Renewal and potential. And with it comes a wonderful opportunity to tune into yourself and renew your energy for the season ahead. 

To make the most of these first days of spring, practice a self-care ritual designed to help your element transition smoothly into spring’s vibrant energy.

 

What is the Spring Equinox?

“No winter lasts forever, no spring skips its turn.” Hal Borland

Thank goodness for that! On March 20th, you can kiss the chill of winter goodbye and say hello to the beginning of spring. The spring (or vernal) equinox – and the start of a new astrological cycle – is here.

The spring equinox is the moment when the sun crosses the equator and begins to move north. “Equinox” is a Latin word meaning “equal light,” and marks one of the two days where we have an equal amount of light and dark during the day (the other day occurs on the fall equinox). We can prepare for longer, sunnier, warmer days as the sun continues moving north through the height of summer. Hooray!

What’s the Perfect Self-Care Moon Ritual for Your Element Type?

From the festivals of ancient Romans to the Mayans to modern-day celebrations like Easter and Holi, many cultures celebrate the beginning of spring with rituals. Now you can create your own ritual, right at home! 

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, the spring equinox is the mid-point shift from the yin time of year to the yang time of year; the movement from water (winter) to wood (spring) energy.

A while ago we shared the best self-care practices to take on this year based on your astrological element type. With the change in season comes a change in the care our bodies crave. 

Find your element below to discover your perfect way to prepare for the first day of spring with a moon ritual.

Water: A Moon Ritual for Energy  

According to Chinese astrology, those born in years that end in 2 or 3 (1962, 1963, 1972, 1973, 1982, 1983, 1992, 1993, 2002, 2003) are water types.

Water types are deep and emotional. Coming out of a slow, deep winter season and into the active, energetic spring can feel like being pushed off the high dive for some water types. Thankfully, there are gentler ways to ease into the energy of spring – starting with your spring equinox moon ritual. 

Spring Equinox Ritual for Water Types: Acclimate to spring energy with combing therapy.

Combing therapy is an ancient practice that uses a unique comb to stimulate the acupressure channels and pressure points on the scalp for improved circulation, reduced tension, enhanced energy, and an overall sense of calmness. 

For water types, practicing this therapy before bed can help move out stagnant, heavy energy from winter. As fresh qi and blood circulate through your channels, you’ll be ready to take on the season with a “spring” in your step!

Wood: A Moon Ritual for Intention

According to Chinese astrology, those born in years that end in 4 or 5 (1964, 1965, 1974, 1975, 1984, 1985, 1994, 1995, 2004, 2005) are wood types.

If you are blessed with wood energy, it’s likely that you are always dreaming up a new idea or chasing a new opportunity. You’re a visionary who’s always looking for the next *thing* to throw yourself into.

Good news – spring is your season! Growth and movement are favored in this season, which makes it the perfect time for you to put your ideas into action. But here’s the catch: you can’t put every idea into action. Focus your intention on one goal and move forward with intention. 

Spring Equinox Ritual for Wood Types: Plan with purpose (and a refreshing cup of tea).

Settle into your favorite brainstorming nook with a journal, a pen, a cup of Celestial Sun Brew tea, and your favorite music playing in the background. Over the next 1-2 hours, let your mind run wild onto the page with your next goal and a plan of action to get there. This could be a career goal, a relationship goal, a personal goal, or anything you want to manifest over the next few weeks or months.

Afterward, wrap up your intention-setting moon ritual with a visualization exercise while you apply the Capricorn Moisturizer (which doubles as a nourishing mask)!

Fire: A Moon Ritual for Serenity

According to Chinese astrology, those born in years that end in 6 or 7 (1966, 1967, 1976, 1977, 1986, 1987, 1996, 1997, 2006, 2007) are fire types. 

Fire types are excitable, energetic, and passionate. They are quick to jump into the more active and vibrant energy of spring and all the potential that lies ahead. But, this can leave fire types feeling a little too wired. Sleep issues like insomnia, vivid dreams, and night sweats can disturb a fire type’s sleep patterns.

Spring Equinox Ritual for Fire Types: Find your peace with a sleep-inducing evening routine.

Meditation is one of the best practices to bring a fire type’s mind and body into balance. Before heading to bed, sip a cup of chrysanthemum or chamomile tea to lull your brain into a relaxed state. Then, push play on a guided Yoga Nidra meditation. If you feel squirmy, that’s A-OK. Calm your mind with a soothing energy-clearing spray to settle into your meditation with ease. 

Earth: A Moon Ritual for Release

According to Chinese astrology, those born in years that end in 8 or 9 (1968, 1969, 1978, 1979, 1988, 1989, 1998, 1999, 2008, 2009) are earth types. 

Earth types are known for their loving and caring nature. They’ll go out of their way to help a friend – or anyone – in need. But, too much giving and not enough receiving can lead to suppressed pressure and resentment. Over time, this manifests as tightness in the neck, shoulders, chest, jaw, and forehead. 

Spring Equinox Ritual for Earth Types: Release pent-up tension with gua sha. 

This ritual is a perfect way to step into spring, but you can do it weekly to keep stress and resentment at bay. 

1. Apply a thin layer of Over the Moon Gua Sha Oil to your sternum, upper chest, neck, shoulders, jaw, and face. 
2. Glide the facial gua sha in gentle strokes from the area in between your eyebrows to your hairline. Repeat 5-10 times. 
3. Work in a similar fashion along the jawbones, moving from the chin to the ear. 
4. Using a body gua sha tool, glide downwards from the base of your skull, down your neck, and over your shoulders. 

Move to the upper chest (the area between your clavicle and the 3rd or 4th rib). Slowly glide the gua sha tool from the sternum to the outer edge of your chest, along each space between your ribs. This can be a particularly tender area for many people, so be gentle! 

Metal: A Moon Ritual for Renewal 

According to Chinese astrology, those born in years that end in 0 or 1 (1960, 1961, 1970, 1971, 1980, 1981, 1990, 1991, 2000, 2001) are metal types.

As a metal type, you are inclined towards perfectionism and purity. But, a long, dry winter can leave you feeling more like a rusty pipe than sparkling steel. Use the renewing energy of spring to polish yourself up – mind and body.

Spring Equinox Ritual for Metal Types: Start the season fresh with a renewing bath ritual. 

Spend your spring equinox moon ritual in a renewing bath that clears away dead, dry skin and leaves you feeling brand new. The extra me-time time in the bath will also give you the emotional clarity you thrive on. 

Start by dissolving Relato Nativo bath salts to soften the water and ease your mental tension. Then, slip in and start scrubbing. We love the Reusable Face Scrub Pad. It’s sensitive enough for skin, by exfoliating enough for the whole body. While your body soaks, apply your favorite detoxing face mask to pull out impurities while you drift off into a blissful state of mind. 

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