Spiritual Routines for Spring

Plus an interview with Evie Jenner from The Enneagram Guide!

“Remember to be aware of your tendency to push yourself beyond your limits of endurance”- Don Richard Riso and Russ Hudson, The Wisdom of The Enneagram

This quote was my Enneathought for the day I sat down to draft this letter. It’s fitting that I receive this reminder, as I’m seeking respite from my habit of kicking rest down the road. I’ve been sick for the past month, am working late into the night, and my habit of saying ‘yes’ to everything has me feeling drained.

As we inch closer to spring, I crave the feeling of renewal that comes with a new season, spring in particular as it’s the season of new life (and my birthday season!) I’m learning that rest will not simply come, I have to make an effort to incorporate it into my daily life (this seems like a lesson I should have learned by now, but here we are!)

Read on for inspiration to slow down, new spiritual routines, plus an interview with Evie Jenner from The Enneagram Guide!

Inspiration to Slow Down

I made a reading list for the year in January containing books that I hoped would inspire me to slow down and spend more time in nature. I’m working my way through them slowly, but one of the most profound books I’ve read so far is Slow Seasons by Rosie Steer. She describes her book as “a creative guide to reconnecting with nature the Celtic way,” and outlines the solar events and their midpoints that make up the Celtic wheel. It’s full of simple ideas and celebrations that are easy to integrate into everyday life.

(sound on for birdsong)

“The turn of the seasons offers a source of constant wonder in an uncertain world, a reminder of the beauty and small joys that we can find at all times of the year if we slow down and look closely enough.” – Rosie Steer, Slow Seasons

The practice that calms my nervous system

*corners you at a party to talk about cold plunging

When we moved to the PNW, what I was most excited about was the proximity to ice-cold water. Within a week of moving, I was swimming in the Puget Sound, and I have continued to do so weekly or more ever since. It shocks my system, quiets my mind, and makes me feel euphoric afterward. Every time I get to go I feel grateful for the experience. If you’ve considered trying it, this is your cue to get in the water!

Reconnect with your chart

Each season, I like to choose a new area of Astrological study to focus on. This Spring, I’m choosing to research an underdeveloped area of my chart. When I say “underdeveloped”, I mean the part of my chart that I often skip over as if it’s not important or worth reexamining. Lately, my self-study has focused on how my Pisces and Capricorn stelliums interact with my Aries Sun. I completely forgot about my Venus in Taurus placement, so I’m using this Season as an opportunity to put some energy there. I also love the idea of focusing on Venus for Spring!

If you’re new to Astrology, here are some tips on how to practice this:

- Look up your chart

- Choose a placement that you either know the least about or seems to contrast the rest of your chart. Maybe you have one Earth placement among many water placements or are unfamiliar with Uranus’ Astrological purpose in your life and want to learn more.

- Research, research, research. Some good prompts to start with (using Venus in Taurus as an example) are ‘Venus in Taurus personality,’ ‘Venus in Taurus in relationships,’ ‘Sun in (your sun sign) Venus in Taurus,’ ‘Venus current transits’. Follow the threads that interest you and see what comes up.

- Find a book that focuses on the theme you’re researching to ground this practice. I will simply google, ‘astrology books about Venus’ and choose one that comes up.

You may know Evie Jenner from her Substack, The Enneagram Guide, or her Podcast, Guided. Evie is a certified Enneagram coach who works with women to transform overthinking into intentional action. I was recently inspired by her post about leaving her career as a ballerina due to chronic illness and how that transition led her to The Enneagram. Below, we talk about:

- How to use The Enneagram for self-growth

- Following the guidance of our inner landscapes

- The deeper meaning of the Enneagram beyond social media’s “flattening” of it

- Seasonal practices

Effie: Let’s start with the basics! What’s your Enneagram type, and how do you primarily use The Enneagram in your work?

Evie: I'm a Social Sexual Type 1, and the Enneagram is the foundation of my coaching practice. For me, it's a cyclical and evolving tool that deepens our connection to self—month by month, season by season, year by year. When I became certified, it felt like a natural and obvious path to make it the core of my work, alongside personal development and spiritual growth.

In fact, a client recently called me her 'Spiritual Director,' and I felt deeply seen. I believe that’s exactly how the Enneagram would have been used thousands of years ago—as a spiritual tool for deep personal inquiry. To me, all personal work is spiritual in nature; it's just a question of whether we’re conscious of that element or not.

Effie: You recently shared your story about leaving dance due to chronic illness, and your words gave me chills—especially when you asked, "Who am I without this?" Many of us face pivotal moments that challenge our sense of identity. How do you draw on that experience as an Enneagram coach? How can The Enneagram help people reshape their self-perspective during life transitions?

Evie: Thank you, Effie—those words truly mean a lot.

For me, the Enneagram is about loosening our grip on the labels and identities our ego clings to for safety, and instead, guiding us deeper into the soul. Having my identity challenged in such a pivotal way has allowed me to traverse my inner world in ways I never could have without that experience.

It’s why I feel so passionate about guiding others through their own inner landscapes—almost like a spiritual Sherpa. I know those deeper places exist, and I know how to help people reach them safely.

The Enneagram helps reshape self-perspective by teaching us to let go—especially during times of transition. When we release the ego’s need for control, we move closer to our true self, the self that remains steady even when life feels uncertain. This is how we find solid ground, even when everything else feels like it’s shifting.

Effie: Beyond just a personality label, how can people use The Enneagram for true self-growth?

Evie: The Enneagram has grown in popularity over the last decade, but I’m always keen to share its deeper, transformative potential. So often, I hear introductions like, “I’m a Type 1, so I need everything to be perfect,” or “I’m a Type 2, so I need validation from my friends.” But that’s missing the entire point of this work.

The Enneagram doesn’t exist to reinforce labels—it exists to show you where you need to let go. Where you need to release. Where you need to loosen the ego’s grip. It reveals the patterns that keep you playing small or staying safe and invites you to step beyond them. It encourages you to explore your inner world, break down old barriers, and open yourself to deeper connection with others.

Because at its core, the Enneagram isn’t about individual growth alone—it’s about community. It's about learning to connect more authentically with others, which is why I often have clients book sessions for their partners, parents, or friends. This work is richer and more impactful when it's shared.

And that’s what I love about the Enneagram. It’s counter-cultural. It doesn’t stroke the ego (and if it does, you’re probably doing it wrong!). It challenges you to move towards deeper relationships, not away from them. That kind of connection is something I feel we're losing in the West, but it's exactly what the Enneagram invites us to reclaim.

Effie: I know you like to work seasonally! What are some ways you're using your Enneagram practice to welcome the renewal and rebirth of Spring?

Evie: Yes, I love to work seasonally! I believe there’s so much wisdom in the land we live on, and through colonisation, we’ve lost touch with a lot of that ancient knowledge. A key theme in my work is honoring both our communities and the natural cycles of the earth.

As a Type 1, my Enneagram practice often starts with stillness—an early meditation or simply sitting with nature. In Spring, that means rising with the sun, feeling the freshness of the morning, and noticing the subtle shifts happening around me. It’s a way of grounding myself in the present and honoring the changes within me, too.

Spring reminds me that renewal is possible, that we’re always in a cycle of growth and release. It’s a beautiful time to reflect on what’s blossoming in our lives and what we’re ready to nurture next.

Thanks so much Evie! You can find her on Substack at The Enneagram Guide, on Instagram, and book a session with her here.