Spring is a time to stretch, yawn, awaken, reach upward, outward, flex and gravitate to the light. Good-bye barren winter and welcome to that new confidence in the air and a landscape sparkling with nature's jewellery.

All creatures test new fur, feathers, scales, teeth, claws, skateboards and tennis racquets and head towards the revitalising light of Spring. Primal urges to reproduce kick in, as do prevailing urges to clean the nest. Abundant and fresh fruit appears in supermarkets, and the riotous colours of light and flowers make us heady with happiness.

As the Spring Equinox flits past on 20-23 September, get giddy with Spring fever in the lead up to the luscious, lusty energy of Beltane on 31 October. During these days, and for all the other days in between, enjoy the refreshing energy of the goddesses of Spring.

MAIA

Maia is the Greek goddess of Spring, from whom we derive the name of the month of May. Her traditional day of celebration is on 1 May (31 October in the southern hemisphere), when joyous men and women, wearing vibrant green, dance around a may-pole to welcome spring. In the Celtic tradition of Beltane, it was mostly a time of unashamed human sexuality and fertility celebrating the onset of spring and new growth.

Do this: On the next clear night, take the time to star gaze - Maia is the brightest star in the Pleiades (or the 'seven sisters') constellation, located between the hunter Orion and Taurus the Bull. Reflect on elements of your life that you think need Maia's influence of renewal, and carry a green gemstone to strengthen your intentions through this week.

FLORA

Romans celebrated goddess Flora's energy in spring by gathering boughs and blossoms to adorn temples, statues, or sweethearts' homes. Her festival also coincides with Beltane, where customs such as archery tournaments, dances, feasting and music were conducted to celebrate the coming of Spring. Exhilarated with renewed energy, aflame with passion, her followers consummate with vitality and delight. It's time you did too!

Do this: If you don't have a partner or lover, strive for a deep reconnection with a waning friendship. Provide ongoing protection of the relationship by braiding three ribbons (one each pink, purple and lavender) around the stem of your favourite flower.

PERSEPHONE

Persephone was the innocent girl that was kidnapped to the underworld by Hades (yes, but was it really kidnap? Well, maybe, at first). In facing adversity and darkness she found her true personal power, and even began to enjoy wallowing in the Underworld. Naturally, this sent her mother, Demeter, mad with worry - her despair was so great the sun hid and crops failed. When Persephone re-emerged to the light, the earth blossomed in vibrant celebration.

Do this: Carry an orange coloured stone (such as brown jaspar) with you to help you face adversity. See you on the bright side!

EOSTRE

Eostre was the Anglo-Saxon goddess of the dawn, from whom 'East' (where the sun rises) and 'Easter' got their names. As goddess of fertility and new beginnings, take this opportunity to embrace Eostre's passion for new life. Now is the time to steer your own life in the new direction you have wanted for so long. Plant the seeds of new ideas, new jobs, new goals.

Do this: Plant seeds of new ideas symbolically with seedlings in a garden or window box. By spring, when your idea manifests itself in the form of luscious flowers, celebrate by frolicking in your garden (naked if you have privacy!)

IX CHEL

Mayan moon goddess Ix Chel, (pronounced e'shell and sometimes called 'Lady Rainbow'), is the mystery and joy of our female sexuality, mother of earth and all life, patroness of the healing arts, weaving, childbirth, and destiny. She wears a serpent on her head representing her transformation from the winter to spring energy - shedding her winter skin in order to blossom anew into spring to a new and fresh stage in the life cycle. As fertility goddess, her power waxes and wanes with the phases of the moon, mirroring the fertility cycle in the bodies of women. Now is the time to celebrate life and love.

Do this: Renew and affirm your sensuality, kindle the fire of romance. Make love by the light of a bon fire, the glow of red candles, or just the full moon's radiance. Dance with your love in bare feet connecting to the earth. Make a list of three things that you are going to create or manifest between now and the next full moon. Make the items on your list be the trigger to a new start for the new phase in this life cycle.