On this last morning of winter, I went to a vernal equinox sunrise ceremony at the Sun Circle at Beach Bluff Park in Swampscott, MA. I was inspired to share a Spring Blessing for the ceremony, but first started off with a 
moment of silence to remember all that has transpired over the winter months. Even though I know I have seen tougher winters with more snow, this season seemed to be harder than those in more recent past.
This is what I shared with those at this morning’s ceremony:
Let us bow our heads and thank Spirit that we made it through another winter. We have survived the snows, the fires (we recently had two big fires on the Northshore in MA), illnesses, as well as the overwhelm from not knowing what to do about all of the protests, wars and natural disasters that are happening around the world. As we give thanks for all that we are, all that we have and all that we share, let us remember and send healing in this moment to those who are suffering on this planet. (moment of silence)
As we move out of winter, I see Spring as a time to bless our earthly life and all that it represents. Mother Earth is awakening from a deep slumber. We are connected to her cycles and now have an opportunity to renew. Let go, release the old. Come out of the darkness and start a new. I was very excited this past week to see signs of Spring all around me. I give thanks for the crocuses that have bloomed just as the snow melted. I also give thanks for the two robins that I saw flying about and the tiny leaf buds that are emerging on many tree branches. Oh and how could I forget, I give thanks for the miracle of seeing some dwarf daffodils already in full bloom.
I then read the following Spring blessing, which I adapted to make it more secular from Joyce Rupp and Macrena Wiederkehr’s book Circle of Life.
A Spring Blessing
Blessed are you, spring,
bright season of life awakening.
You gladden our hearts
with opening buds and returning leaves
as you put on your robes of splendor.Blessed are you, spring.
In you is a life no death can destroy.
As you exchange places with winter
you harbor no unforgiving spirit
for broken tree limbs and frozen buds.Blessed are you, spring.
You open the closed buds of our despair
as you journey with us
to the flowering places.Blessed are you, spring.
You invite us to sing songs
to the frozen regions within
and to bless the lessons of winter
as we become your partner in a new dance.Blessed are you, spring.
you call to us to shed our winter’s cloak
to come out and experience life more openly.Blessed are you, spring,
free gift of the earth.
Without cost we gaze upon your beauty.
You bring inspiration and faith
to the poor and rich alike.Blessed are you, spring.
Your renewing rain showers and cathartic storms
nurture the potential that sleeps in Earth’s heart
and in our own human hearts.Blessed are you, spring,
season of rebirth, a call to wake up and rejoice
as you rise up out of the cold dark earth
leaving around you a wake of new life.Blessed are you, spring,
miracle child of the four seasons.
With your wand of many colors
you work magic in the corners of our darkness.Blessed are you, spring,
season of hope and renewal.
Wordless poem about all within us
that can never die.
Each year you amaze us
with the miracle of returning life.
May the Spirit of the Seasons guide you to new life as we welcome in the joys of Spring!
Practical Spirituality 