Much of Four Seasons of Mojo centers on Africa, the Caribbean and the Americas. There are practices in these locales that we can all utilize to live more joyfully. In Africa for example, duality is highly touted. The year is divided into two opposing weather conditions: the wet and the dry. The dry is a time when life is challenged — resources literally dry up. Water, the most cherished elixir of life, is hard for animals, humans or plants to find. Conversely, the wet is joyous; still, it has its own challenges. The joy comes from the first rains of the season since they assure the continuance of life. The interaction between earth and the heavens is heightened. Rock-hard soil becomes malleable enough to make mud, useful as a health and beauty remedy as well as supplying material for constructing homes.

In the United States, many people have become distanced from the seasons. Frequently, weather is looked upon as a temporary nuisance, reported by a weather person rather than directly observed by the seers of the immediate community. Whereas the wet season in Africa and many other locales is a time for celebration, here rain is something that threatens our outdoor events, or more trivial still, moist weather causes frizzy hair. It’s only when droughts occur and farms, flowers or endless lawns are dried to a frizzled brown that we tend to take heed of the necessity of rain.

Then there are people intensely interested in the seasons and their relationship to the economy. It is a sad reality that most of the agrarian celebrations that have survived to the present day have only been kept alive because they afford an opportunity to make money from the mass marketing of food, gifts and costly indulgence. With spring in the air, here are some holistic ideas for engaging the natural gifts of the season:

Working With Rain

Instead of hiding out from rain, sulking or complaining, shift your focus and treasure the rain. Here are some ways to enjoy rain:

· Rainwater is easy to collect. Place multiple containers outdoors away from busy streets or eaves. Collected rainwater has magical and mundane uses. Mundane uses include conservation of potable water — you can use rainwater to irrigate the garden, flush the toilet and other creative uses.

· Use rainwater magically to bless your besom before spiritual cleansing, clearings, during the creation of a circle, new altar or nuptial blessings.

· You can also use rainwater to charge or renew crystals, rocks and minerals. Once they are cleansed, clear stones again with sun and moonlight.

· Lightning water is water collected during a thunderstorm. Lightning water is believed to bring dramatic changes. It also lends an air of spontaneity or even capriciousness. In parts of Africa, lightning water is associated with deities, including the Yoruban orisha, Shango and Oya. Use lightning water to help your mind accept changes (dieting, moving, new job, new school, divorce or separation, even mourning). Add a small portion to your bath or put out a small dish of it on your altar.

· Record the sounds of rain during a thunderstorm. Play these sounds during rites or ceremonies involving new beginnings, to generate ideas, to relax or in meditation.

This is only a small taste of what Four Seasons of Mojo has in store. I hope my new book serves as an aid in your magical and mundane life, helping you engage in that circular journey we refer to as “the seasons.”