You made it through the Ides of March and Ostara, the spring equinox; in the spirit of the festival, who couldn't use a little spiritual spring cleansing?

New Life and New Beginnings

Spring means the emergence of new life and new beginnings. In the weeks surrounding the Vernal Equinox, we surround ourselves with mindfully plucked wildflowers and other symbols of youth and fertility, thanking their deities for their sacrifices. Soaps infused with the oils of flowers and herbs can inherit or transfer their spiritual power when used for daily washing or as part of a cleansing ritual bath.

Consider bathing with High John the Conqueror soap for strength or Patchouli soap for cleansing and fertility. Patchouli is a controversial herb - because it can also be used as an insect repellent, but the natural mint-like plant is very potent in attracting lovers and bringing closer those in love.

An Estrus soap, burning or carrying Bloodroot, and using Blue Violet leaves can also aid in bringing people closer together. Blue Violet is especially important as a cleansing herb, especially when infused with Lavender to make tea, or to draw love with a bath.

In Wicca, Rue or Ruda is one of the most important herbs around the time of the Vernal Equinox. Rue cleanses and brings peace and prosperity when held in or mixed with the running water of a ritual bath. The sweet aroma of a Rue candle or incense is also important to cleanse the skin and spirit of bad habits, bitter memories, or negativity, in general. As with the High John root, a floor wash made from the essence of Rue, Bayberry, or Hyssop (a potent mountain herb), applied to a home from front to back is important to any spiritual spring cleansing.

Encourage Your Spiritual Healing

To hasten the spiritual healing and mending that comes with the new beginnings of the Vernal season, consider Angelica Oil - an ancient root oil that cleanses, protects, and soothes aches and pains, allowing one to embrace the youthfulness and the virility of spring fully. Applying it in the morning, the strong aroma will rouse you and settle into a pleasant scent that attracts others and repels negativity.

The aroma blends beautifully and naturally with Cedarwood and other stronger oils, to increase protective properties. Along with Amber and Almond Oils, they are important as anointing oils - for inspiring love, healing anxiety or trauma, or general spell work.

Powerful Cleansing Herbs and Roots

In Santeria, High John the Conqueror is one of the most potent herbs and the highest of the three John roots. Its sweet, earthy scent is reminiscent of the connections between all things living and its texture keeps one grounded and protected from Hoodoo or deceit. The root can be carried as a whole or sprinkled as a Sachet powder, or its oil can be used for cleansing in a bath.

Lucky Hand Root, with its long finger-like tendrils, can be used to ward off Hoodoo. It is also an essential and powerful good luck herb and can be carried with High John roots in a mojo bag, to enhance the strength of the protection and cleansing they give those who use them.

Bless Your Home

To cleanse or bless your home - bringing confidence, protection, and good luck to you and all who enter, a floor wash made with the High John root is recommended. To purify the Air in your home, one of the most important of the classical elements during springtime and a carrier of the breath of new life - burn High John incense or a 7-day candle.

Bayberry is also very powerful, both in Santeria and Wicca, especially when burnt continuously for days. The cleansing power comes with the longevity of the harnessed classical element, Fire.

Honoring Ogun, the Most Prominent Orisha

The beginning of spring is also an important time to honor Ogun, one of the most prominent Orisha. He is the father of civilization in many ways and his sacrifices symbolize the new beginning and cleansing nature of the season. He is the inventor and creator of many tools, including the Hammer, anvil, and machete - but he does not own them. That is his nature - therefore he is honored with his tools (usually with a wood handle and an iron or steel blade) and with a black iron cauldron or pot in the ceremony.

Replacing talismans and amulets, bands that represent Ogun's gentleness and his sacrifice are also very important parts of cleansing.