Ostara manifestations: planting your 'garden' 🌿
How does your garden grow?
Aight, peach?
Are you enjoying the first official days of spring? Ostara (AKA the spring equinox) was last week, which means new growth and abundance aren't far away.
As magickal writers, this is the perfect opportunity to start thinking about the seeds we're planting with our thoughts, creativity, and words.
Because the shit you plant and nourish is the shit that'll grow.
Your personal energy is like the sun. Point it at the things you want to encourage, not the stuff which doesn't serve you — be that people, habits, thought patterns, etc.
With that in mind, I thought we'd kick off this newsletter series with a cool writing exercise designed to help you cultivate your 'garden' for the rest of the year. What do you want to plant, and how can you use your time and energy to help those things grow?
Ready? Let's do this thing.
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🌱 Plant your spring garden – writing exercise 🌿
Tools
White sage incense or salt
A small sheet of paper (preferably green)
A pen
A white or green candle (a birthday candle or tea light will do!)
Optional item: sandalwood incense – great for willpower tasks
Optional item: carnelian gemstone – good for grounding and motivating
Optional item: a cup of your favourite tea (because why the hell not?!)
Method
Start by making sure you're in a quiet, peaceful place. Somewhere with a desk or table where you can sit and write quietly for half an hour without being rushed, pestered, or interrupted (easier said than done, eh?).
Cleanse the area by burning white sage or sprinkling salt around the perimeter — we want to stop energetic nasties from getting in the way while we weave our good intentions.
Place all your items on the desk with you. Pop your gemstone within grabbing reach and your candles/incense somewhere you can enjoy them without setting fire to the place.
Ground and centre yourself. Plant your feet firmly on the floor and draw your awareness to the sensation of gravity keeping you rooted to the floor. You can even imagine tree roots connecting you to the ground if you like!
Take a deep breath and imagine all the tension, stress, and negativity leaving your body as you exhale. Envisage a pure white light entering you and cleansing you of mundane crud.
Light your incense (if you're using it) and your candle. If you like, you can take a few minutes to sit and enjoy the calm, focused environment you've created — these exercises are as much about wellbeing as intention weaving! You could hold your gemstone and enjoy a few sips of hot tea while you muse.
As you sit quietly, consider which things in your life you'd like to grow. Business projects, writing skills, personal relationships, hobbies, whatever brings you satisfaction and joy, my guy. I'd recommend limiting the list to 4 or 5 so you don't overwhelm yourself.
When you're happy that you know what you'd like to 'plant', write them out clearly on your scrap of paper. Use positive language, active framing, specificity, and cause plus effect.
For example: "I feel good about myself because I've dedicated 15 minutes a day to being active in a way that makes me happy."
At the bottom of your page, under your list, write the following statement: "As I will it, so mote it be". Hell, you can even sign and date it if you want!
When you've finished making your list, hold your paper in both hands and read it aloud to yourself. As you do this, think hard about how you'll feel when you bring these statements into reality this year. The satisfaction, contentment, and happiness it'll bring.
All done? Good. Pin that list in a place you'll see it regularly. If you've got a work corkboard, get it up on there. If you use a work diary or personal journal, tuck your list inside.
This needs to be a visible and positive reminder of the promises you've made to yourself this Ostara. No pressure, no guilt. Your garden is for you, by you. All we're doing is deciding where to put our energy this year.
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🌝 Wind Moon – 16th April
The April full moon is all about new life and growth. It's a time to start making things happen!
Harness the power of the April full moon and use it to start planning that dream project or setting ideas into motion. Pitch new clients, learn a new skill, or bring some greenery into your office space.
However you choose to interpret and celebrate 'growth', April is the time to do it!
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🔮 Freelance focus: core beliefs with the Hierophant
Your April tarot card is sitting pretty over on my blog. This month we’re focusing on your core beliefs as a freelancer.
Do you need to hit the books again to make sure your business values are still in your best interests?
This card is all about teaching, learning, and looking inward.
Are you ready to ask yourself some serious questions?
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Other shit you might enjoy...
🎬 1 hour of chill freelance desk time (NO TALKING) – watch now
🎬 How to choose a name for your freelance business – watch now
📖 The Witchy Freelancer eBook – learn more
✍️ Word magick: how to create and use sigils for freelance life – read here
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Okay, that’s your lot! Let me know what you thought of the first issue by giving me a shout on Twitter.
Merry meet and merry part,
Cowners x