BREATH OF THE DAWN: A SPRING INVOCATION
“All things are born in the hush before birdsong, in the velvet dark of seeds below the frost.”
Spring has exhaled her first soft breath. The land, though still cool beneath our feet, begins to stir in earnest. Buds push toward light. Birds return to their old songs. And we, too, are invited to rise.
At Breedlove, we honour spring not with rush, but with ritual—tender, seasonal acts that bring us back into rhythm with the Earth and ourselves.
1. Remembering the Old Ways
Our ancestors met spring with care, not urgency. Homes were swept from back to front, windows opened to the East, and the first herbs of the season were gathered with gratitude. They moved with intention, not invention.
Start small. Light a candle at sunrise. Whisper your name into the morning. Hang laundry outside, if you can. Let daily life become sacred again.
Traditional Gesture: Add fresh cedar or juniper to your broom. As you sweep, imagine clearing not just dust—but the stories winter no longer needs to carry.
2. Nourishment from the Earth: Herbal Allies for Spring
In spring, our bodies crave movement, circulation, and gentle cleansing. We reach instinctively for the nourishing herbs—the quiet, mineral-rich greens that fortify us after a long winter’s rest.
Nettles (Urtica dioica): Iron-rich, energizing, and deeply nourishing. Nettles feed the blood, support the kidneys, and awaken vitality. They are one of the first wild gifts of spring.
Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale): Both root and leaf offer spring medicine—bitter, bright, and bold. Dandelion clears heat from the liver and invites easeful digestion, helping us process both food and emotion.
Simple Spring Infusion:
1 part dried nettle
1 part dried dandelion leaf
½ part peppermint or lemon balm for clarity
Steep 1–2 tablespoons in a quart of boiled water for 4+ hours. Strain, drink cool or warm throughout the day.
Let this brew be your tonic, your tea, your quiet revolution.
3. Tending the Sacred Wheel – East, the Direction of Air and Awakening
Spring belongs to the East, where the sun rises and breath begins. In the sacred wheel, East is the element of Air—of inspiration, beginnings, and the fluttering of wings just before flight.
Create a small altar facing East:
A yellow or white candle
A feather or incense (to represent Air)
A bowl of seeds or a piece of paper with your spring intention written on it
A sprig of early herbs (like thyme, mint, or sage)
Mantra:
“I welcome the winds of change.
I breathe in clarity.
I begin again.”
Simple Breath Meditation (5 mins):
Close your eyes. Inhale through the nose, exhale through the mouth.
With each breath in, silently say: “I rise.”
With each breath out, “I soften.”
Do this for five minutes in front of your altar. Let Air carry your prayers.
4. Morning Offering to the Earth
Spring asks for presence, not perfection. A simple morning ritual is enough to begin again.
You will need:
A bowl of water or tea
A pinch of herbs or petals (rose, mint, lavender—whatever calls to you)
The Practice:
Step outside or face the light. Let your feet ground. Breathe deeply.
Sprinkle herbs into your water. Pour a small amount onto the earth, into a potted plant, or near your doorway.
Say aloud:
“Thank you, Earth, for holding me.
Thank you, Light, for waking me.
I begin again, with love.”
These small moments build the bridge between the mundane and the sacred.
5. Journal Prompts for Spring Awakening
Set aside time to sit with these reflections. One per day. One per week. One whenever you feel called.
What part of me is waking after a long rest?
Where do I feel movement returning—in body, heart, or spirit?
What seeds of intention am I planting this season?
What stories am I ready to release with winter’s breath?
How can I honour my ancestors through the way I live today?
Your journal is not just a mirror—it is a garden where your soul learns to speak.
Closing Words
Let the sun meet your skin. Let the nettles stir your blood. Let your breath remember its rhythm. This is not just spring. This is a return—to yourself, to the Earth, to the soft strength that rises through all things when given time.