Ostara: Three Days of Self Love
Three Days of Self-Love is a ritual to reconnect with yourself. You are more than your toxic boss or bad ex. You’re a beautiful human being worthy of love—and sometimes you need to remind yourself of that.
The Spring Equinox and immediate days after are perfect for this ritual, but you can also start your on the New Moon (not the Dark Moon—wait until you see that first sliver in the night sky). Ultimately, however, you should perform this ritual when you need it.
For this ritual, “self-love” is a planned and deliberate treat you give yourself. It may mean a stroll through the park, buying yourself your favourite coffee or dinner, or (yes) masturbation. What matters is the time and intent you spend on yourself. Make it a date. If going for a stroll is your thing, take the long way around and feed the ducks. Turn off your phone. Allow yourself to be unavailable to everyone but yourself.
Decide on your act of self-love. One person might have the resources to be offline for hours while treating themselves to dinner for one. Another can only take ten minutes before the kids burn down the proverbial house. Both are valid—do what you can, and only spend as much money as you can spare because paying your bills is also self-love. For all you neurodivergent folk out there: Yes, it can be spontaneous, or you can set yourself a reminder (1 PM: solo lunch at new taco place).
Then get yourself a pretty piece of paper, whether it’s luxury stationary or craft paper. Perhaps choose a colour that represents love to you. Red and pink are always good, and I personally love rich, creamy ivory.
While you’re engaged in self-love, think of three things you admire about yourself. They don’t have to be deep, but (and this is the hard part) they can’t all be in connection to others. For example, I am creative, I’m a stalwart friend (this is my one connected to others freebie), and I have fantastic breasts. Write them down. The next day, as part of your morning routine, read the list aloud to yourself. Then during your next self-love session add three more. Repeat until, at the end of day three, you have a list of nine things.
Finally, sit down with your list of nine. Read them. Aloud. Let them sink in. How does it feel to be funny, smart, or strong? Let these truths about yourself sink into your heart. Remember them next time you doubt yourself.
As for the paper list: That’s yours to do with as you please. Give it to your gods, or to the elements. Keep it folded and hidden until you need to read it again. That’s completely up to you, so long as you never forget the truth it holds.
About the author: Steffie de Vaan (she/her) is a Dutch intuitive witch. She loves cheap and easy witchcraft without cultural appropriation. Follow her on Instagram as @muse_of_midnight
