In March, the spring equinox is the central holiday. This is when day and night are of equal length, the light season begins, and the dark season is bid a fitting farewell.
Burning and banishing the "Evil" winter was a celebration. Our ancestors were, of course, aware that winter would return one day and regain its dominance, but for now, they had managed it, and that was a reason to celebrate.
In many regions, winter was carried out of the village in the form of a large straw doll, which was then burned or thrown into a river. Sometimes these dolls were called witches. They symbolize the dark, life-threatening winter goddesses, such as the Slavic Marzana (she has many names: Mara, Morena, or Mora). This ancient custom is sometimes misinterpreted as a reference to the historical witch burnings, but it is much older, dating back to pre-Christian times.
RITUAL:
Happiness and blessings for your loved ones
The following ritual is also linked to this joyful custom.
Get some branches, decorate them with colorful ribbons, and place them in a vase. They'll set the right mood in the room.
Now make a sun. It can be made of paper, papier-mâché, modeling clay, or any other material you like. The important thing is that it can be hung up afterward.
It should be round and beautiful, as is typical for the sun, and have rays. Draw or write on each of the rays something good that you wish for yourself and those close to you. Of course, it can also include beloved pets, or perhaps your garden or a place in nature that you love. It's about everything and everyone with whom you have a loving relationship, and to whom you wish happiness and blessings for the year.
You can write words directly on the rays, but if you want to keep it discreet, you can also simply use colors. Traditionally, red, green, white, and yellow are used primarily for spring festivals, often with a touch of blue for the blue sky that's becoming more common these days. Simply paint each sunbeam in the color that appeals to you for the theme.
Approach the matter freely, let your feelings guide you. The most important thing in this ritual is the intention behind it; a bit of enthusiasm and good humor are also essential. This spell is about what should flourish and also about the community as such. Everyone should be strengthened.
No man is an island. We live in a community, and much like the ritual for souls and spirits in January, people in earlier times were very aware that if they wanted to live happily, they needed to strengthen not only themselves but also their environment.
