[Setsubun and Risshun] Shedding Winter, Wearing Light: A Story of 'Boundaries of the Heart' - Small Hints for Reborn as a New Self

February. When you turn the calendar page, you find "Setsubun" and "Risshun" standing back-to-back.

After the lively night of throwing beans and stuffing your cheeks with Eho-maki, the next day brings the phrase, "Spring has arrived on the calendar."

These two days are not just a series of events.

In fact, they are an important story for us to "shed our old selves and be reborn as new ones."

Today, let's unravel the difference between Setsubun and Risshun as a single story.

1. On the night of Setsubun, the older brother carries the 'Oni' (demon) on his back.

The protagonists of the story are two brothers.

The older brother's name is "Setsubun." The younger brother's name is "Risshun."

The older brother, Setsubun, is a bit clumsy but has a very kind personality.

His role is to clean up the "sediment of the heart" and "hesitations" that everyone has accumulated over the year.

He intentionally wears a scary demon mask, drawing all the anxiety and weakness of the people toward himself.

While catching the beans thrown at him with the cry of "Oni wa soto!" (Demons out!),

he quietly collects the thorns from everyone's hearts onto his own back.

Setsubun is, so to speak, the day for the "final touches of spring cleaning."

To move forward into a new season, we must let go of the heavy burdens we have been carrying.

Setsubun is a story of such "farewells."

2. On the morning of Risshun, the younger brother sows 'light.'

The date changes to February 4th. The younger brother, "Risshun," stands up quietly.

In the pristine world that his brother has cleaned so thoroughly, he walks along sowing "seeds of light."

The air is still cold, and your hands might feel frozen. However, the scenery after Risshun has passed by looks somehow different from yesterday.

The color of the sky is becoming just a little brighter,
and the plum buds on the street corners are swelling up.

The task of Risshun is
to give shape to 'invisible hope'.

'Even if it is still cold now, it will be alright.
From now on, the light will only grow longer.'

Making such a promise with the world
is the beginning of the story of Risshun.

3. The 'boundaries' in our hearts

On the night of Setsubun, we say goodbye to our 'past selves,' and on the morning of Risshun, we greet our 'future selves.'

Setsubun: Throwing out 'things that didn't go well' along with the beans, and emptying out the heart.

Risshun: Inviting new challenges and
small excitements into that emptied space.

The reason these two days are a set
might be because 'letting go'
and 'starting anew'
are two sides of the same coin.

In conclusion: Adding a single flower

If you are thinking of changing something
for this year's Valentine's Day or for spring...

Why not borrow the power of this 'boundary'?

Treat yourself on Setsubun, and as a 'preview of spring' on Risshun, try gifting yourself a single tulip or mimosa.

Such a small habit should make your spring even more vibrant.

May gentle light reach your heart,
now that you have shed the winter. ✨✨

Thank you very much
for reading until the end. 👹✨

Please do share your own 'Setsubun/Risshun' episodes
in the comments.

✳Copyright is not waived.
If you found this article helpful, please 'like' 🌹 and follow me.
I will continue to share stories about seasonal flowers and daily life! 🌹

※This article uses Amazon Associate links.
I hope the items introduced here will serve as tips for your comfortable life.