Springtime lends to a refreshing burst of new beginnings, palpable to our senses, energy level, and overall state of being. The early morning rise of cheerful chirps of birds, sounds of the woodpecker tapping into tree bark, and discovery of flower buds pushing their way through the hard ground, in an Aries-like vigor signifies this new season.
Like nature emerging from its winter slumber, we can do the same by establishing some new self care habits for the mind and body. That catch phrase, “spring cleaning” alludes to the action of clearing out and making room in preparation for the next. We can also apply this notion and create spring cleaning rituals for our mind and body.
Each new season also corresponds to the changes in the astrological signs, Aries marking the beginning of the spring equinox, then moving into the sign of Taurus on April 19th. Taurus as the sign governing the senses along with earthly pleasures, resources, beauty, and connection to nature speaks to the meaning and passion of every aromatherapist! It is a fact that each one of us possess taurean-like qualities because we all embody the twelve astrological signs within us.
Some of my favorite “taurean-inspired” rituals begin with a morning inhalation of any citrus essential oil, such as lemon, grapefruit, orange or lime can offer an immediate uplift for the mind. Participate in Forest Bathing or also known as “shinrin-yoku” a term in Japanese that refers to the notion of inviting the surroundings of the forest “to bathe” and fully absorb all of your senses.
Take off your shoes and allow your bare feet to connect to the earth. Simply allow the sensations to permeate, close your eyes and tune into any messages mother earth may have for you. Take this time to honor the earth for its waters, sustenance, and beauty, as we approach Earth Day on April 22nd, an global event and movement highlighting environmental consciousness and protection for the earth’s resources.
Detoxification practices for the body are a powerful and therapeutic way to “spring clean” the mind and senses.
One of my favorite morning rituals begins with the technique of dry brushing the body, followed by an exfoliation scrub, and sealing in with a moisturizing oil. I’ve outlined easy recipes for you to create your own “spring cleaning” ritual.
Begin with the practice of lymph brushing, a technique that helps to stimulate and encourage the movement of our lymphatic fluids within our body. This helps to improve overall immune support and continue to flush toxins out. An easy technique before the shower, take a soft natural bristle bath brush, stroke in an upward fashion starting at the feet and gently brush up the body towards the heart in a circular motion and/or short quick upward strokes. Brush both legs, arms, around the abdomen and chest and neck for about 5- 7 minutes in total. This can be done with some swift vigor or meditatively, either way it will prep and wake your nervous system.
Then follow it with a gentle exfoliation body scrub that can be easily made from your own kitchen. In a mason jar combined the ingredient below.
- 1 cup of epsom salt
- ½ cup of brown sugar
- ½ cup of coconut oil or olive oil
- 8 drops of rosemary essential oil
- 7 drops of eucalyptus essential oil
- 5 drops of peppermint essential oil
Blend it well together until it mixes into an even consistency. Exfoliation offers many therapeutic benefits such as stimulating blood circulation, removes dead skin cells from the surface or top layer of the skin, smoothes and softens rough, dry skin , especially around the heels, bottom of the feet and in between the toes.
Finish this with your own moisturizing body oil to seal in the benefits. Once you have dry brushed and exfoliated your skin to invite new skin cells to emerge, it is important to seal in the benefits with nourishing oils like jojoba oil which mimics our own skin’s sebum and argan oil containing antioxidants and vitamin e to help maintain the skin’s barrier from trans epidermal water loss. My favorite personal recipe for my spring body oil includes combining the following ingredients.
- ¼ cup of jojoba oil
- ¼ cup of argan oil
- 8 drops of frankincense
- 7 drops of sandalwood
- 5 drops of patchouli (a Taurean signature astrological oil)
Be sure to blend it well together prior to using and apply immediately after your shower for maximum benefits.
Spring cleaning is truly essential for supporting our longevity along with the health and wellbeing of the heart, mind and spirit.
When we create rituals for ourselves, it offers the opportunity for deeper awareness and presence to emerge and shift toward growth, wholeness and transformation.
I am passionate about supporting favorable energies for growth through my combined work with astrology and aromatherapy. I would love to hear what Spring Cleaning rituals you have been inspired by. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me at rootandresin.com and follow me on instagram @rootandresin.
