Meditation
Let us pause to be attentive to our breath, to the air that is so vital for us. The mystic Hildegard of Bingen described herself as a feather on the breath of God. We join now in a breath meditation.

Breathing in: I am a feather
Breathing out: on the divine breath

. . . .

Gathering Our Hopes and Dreams

Each person chooses a feather and takes an index card with a hole punched near the end of it, and a pipe-stem cleaner (chenille stem). Play light flute music as participants quietly reflect on this question: What is one of your unlived dreams, hopes or longings?

Invite each one to select one hope or dream that he or she most wants to have come alive in their life. They write or draw this on the index card. Then tie the feather onto the pipe-stem and attach it to the index card.


Sharing Our Hopes
Form small groups and share the hopes on the index cards that are attached to the feathers.

A Commitment to Hope

Repeat after the leader, holding feathers in indicated position:

Hold feather up high.
I honor my hope and give it my best energy.
Holding feather out in front.
I keep my eyes on my hope and do not let it out of my sight.
Hold feather to the ear.
I listen to my hope and respect what it teaches me.
Hold feather down toward the ground or floor.
I stand strong in my hope and trust in its possibilities.
Hold feather to the heart.
I become one with my hope and cherish its presence.

A Blessing of Hope (by leader)

May you give your hope room to breathe and expand.
May your anticipated dreams find a voice and a home in your life.
May hope move freely through your heart, gifting your spirit with enthusiasm and joy.
May you walk through spring storms with a strong sense of purpose, undaunted by fear.
May you never lose confidence in your ability to grow.
May your hope stream outward to the world, dancing in the far realms like a feather floating in an April breeze, bringing joy to all who need it.

Repeat each line after the leader:

Spring, energizing spring.
Be our mentor of hope!
Spring , birth mother of greening, cheer us on!.

. . . .

Conclusion

The ritual is concluded by going outdoors. Blow bubbles, fly kites, or let balloons sail in the breeze.


Listening to Spring

How quietly the earth breathes forth new life.
How eagerly the sun bleeds forth the spring,

I am listening.
I am listening to seeds breaking open,
to roots growing strong beneath the ground,
to green shoots rising up from winter wombs.
I am listening to thorns blossoming,
to barren branches laughing out new growth,
to wildflowers dancing through the meadows,

I am listening.

I am listening to the forest filling up with song.
I am listening to the earth filling up with life.
I am listening to the trees filling up with leaves.

I am listening.

I am listening to the sky with its many changing moods,
to flashes of lightning, peals of thunder,
to opening buds and greening grass.
I am listening to the breaking forth of light
in the vestibule of dawn.
I am listening to the freshness of the morning.

I am listening.

I am listening to the rain drops
giving hope to thirsty gardens.
I am listening to the orchards
pregnant with new life.
I am listening to the flowers
bursting forth in rainbow colors.

I am listening.

I am listening to the brook,
to the song of happy waters.
I am listening to music
rising up from all the earth.
I am listening to spring
soaring in on wings of life.
I am listening to the sounds of spring.

I am listening.

I am listening to prayers
pouring forth from feathered throats.
I am listening to prayers
rising up from misty waters.
I am listening to prayers
of a meadow crowned with dawn.

I am listening.

I am listening to the growing
in the garden of my heart.
I am listening to my heart
singing songs of resurrection.
I am listening to the colors of life.

I am listening.

I am listening to winter
handing over spring.
I am listening to the poetry of spring.

I am listening.

— Macrina Wiederkehr