Yay y’all! Spring is officially here!

Spring is most definitely my favorite season of the year…so much freshness and possibility – and this Aries has gotta shout it out from the rooftops that it’s her birth season too! ;)

Today I’m celebrating that my new book Your Spacious & Seasonal Year is finally landing into folks’ mailboxes after a long anticipated wait…woot woot! (You can grab your copy HERE if you haven’t already).

In the book, I share that yesterday, on the auspicious day of the Spring Equinox, night and day are at a place of equilibrium and balance, and from this point forward, the light begins to override the dark (I know many of you are stoked about that)!

Spring is a season of renewal, cleansing, blossoming, and igniting our sense of pleasure and joy. 

It’s an ideal time for clearing out what doesn’t serve – both on an inner or outer level – think spring cleaning, digital detox, juice cleanse, etc.

And, it’s a ripe moment for embarking on creative projects as we’re finally emerging out of our cozy winter nests – getting those hits of inspiration to make or create. 

{PS – we start the Rise & Thrive Collective today (last time I’ll mention this I promise!) and Spring is such a ripe time to embark on a mastermind journey like this. If you’ve been on the fence, message me at ashley@ashleyburnett.co and I’ll make space to answer any q’s you might have and get you signed up – it’s SUCH an incredible group, and it’s not too late!}

Keep reading below to access some of our Spring Reflection Journaling Q’s and a sweet ritual idea + recipe that I feature in the book. I hope you enjoy these – and happy happy spring! <3

Spring Equinox Reflection Questions:

1. What area of your life would benefit from a little (or a lotta) Spring cleaning? (business, relationships, wellness, etc.)
2. How specifically would you like to cleanse these areas out?
3. How can you infuse the themes of fresh energy and perspective into what you’re cleansing or clearing?
4. How will your life positively shift after the cleansing is completed? What’s on the other side of that clearing process? 
5. How will you act and feel differently once these areas are cleared out?
6. What’s your next right action to take?

Spring Ritual Idea: Herbal Spring Walk

• If you’re familiar with the herbs in your area, spring is the perfect time to say hello to them by taking a slow and grounding herbal walk on the land you live on, or at a park nearby. 
• If you’re unfamiliar with the herbs and plants in your area, this is an ideal time to hire an herbalist to take you on a local herbal walk. On the walk, they’ll point out common medicinal and edible spring herbs, and will potentially show you how to harvest, process and make herbal medicine with them.
• If you are familiar with what herbs are edible in your area, spring can be a beautiful time to start harvesting. Be sure to ask permission from the plant first for it to be picked, and you can practice reciprocity with it by singing to the plants as you harvest (one of my favorite ways to harvest herbs and flowers!). If you feel a yes in your bones, pick just the amount that you’ll use for cooking or medicine making, and make sure that you’re 100% sure of their ID before working with them. 

Featured Recipe: Nourishing Spring Cleaning Tea Blend

Making herbal tea blends is simple and fun, and are exceptional compared to the bagged teas most of us are used to. You can either use dried herbs that you’ve grown yourself in your garden, herbs that grow wild in abundance in your area, or herbs that you order from a store in bulk (I love Mountain Rose Herbs). This is my take on a spring cleaning detox tea – which is also calming and soothing to the nervous system as the full springtime energy begins to kick into gear. 

Ingredients:

• 1 cup dried nettles
• 1 cup dried thyme leaves
• 1 cup dried red clover
• ¼ cup dried calendula petals

Directions:

• Combine all of the dried herbs together into an airtight container or Mason Jar, stir to evenly distribute the plant material, and store for future use (this recipe should nearly fill up a quart sized jar).
• Use 1 tablespoon of the tea blend per cup of boiling water.
• Steep covered in your teapot or vessel for 10-30 minutes, to capture all of the medicinal volatile oils in the plant matter (don’t let them steam away!)
• Add a spoonful of honey and a splash of cow’s or nut milk if desired. 
• Take a deep breath in, and deep breath out, and enjoy your bliss.

*PS – this tea can be made using fresh herbs as well. Just please use caution handling fresh nettles as they can sting.