Through long seasons of learning,
humans came to shape the year with meaning.
When life stirs again and the days grow bold,
the Shedding Festival returns with the bloom.

Gather to mark what no longer serves.
Craft symbols of old burdens—then release them.
Let them fall into earth, drift into water, or rise with flame.
In their place, plant seeds—real or symbolic—
a quiet vow to grow toward what now calls you.

Prepare meals in community, drawn from food that changes:
from raw to warm, from one form to another.
Shape with care, to honor the Shaper.
Transform through fire, heat, or time, to honor the Quickener.
Eat together. Speak of the Cycle of Becoming.
Share what you hope to become next.

Explanation

In spring, or when nature begins to bloom, people gather to let go of old burdens and welcome new growth. Each person creates a symbol of something they no longer need and releases it. Then they plant a seed—it can be a real one or a symbol of a new idea, hope, or goal. Together, they cook and share meals made from foods that change during preparation. These meals honor both stability and transformation. The gathering is a time to reflect on who you are becoming.