Spring Equinox

Happy Equinox! 

Twice a year, the sun aligns perfectly with the equator to create an Equinox. This day is also known as the Vernal Equinox, Ostara, or the first day of spring.

At this moment, Earth’s axis is tilted neither away from nor towards the Sun, but is rather perpendicular to the Sun's rays. Derived from Latin for ‘equal night’, (‘eqi’ means equal and ‘nox’ means night) this natural phenomenon marks when day and night are of equal length all around the world. During Spring Equinox, daytime gains on night time as the northern hemisphere moves into springtime; hence its reputation for inspiring new ideas, curiosity and growth in people's lives. 

Spring Equinox this year is on Monday March 20th (9.24pm GMT) if you're north of the equator or September 23rd south of it!

This special event is the perfect opportunity to celebrate new beginnings! This time of year symbolises growth, fertility, and a chance for fresh starts. For centuries now, cultures have been utilising this event as an indication that it's safe to start planting their crops or performing rituals rooted in nature's cycles. Today, many still recognise these traditions by sowing gardens or setting intentions for personal creative projects. We can look back on thousands of years where people hailed spring and fall equinoxes as significant occurrences within their respective societies. To honour the Goddess Ostara, Druids held their festival on March 24th. Similarly, pagans celebrate this same day with rituals centred around rebirth and new beginnings. In ancient times when most people were farmers, they used to perform rites encouraging land fertility and livestock reproduction during the equinoxes - an exemplary tradition that is still alive today through a variety of ways in which people observe spring equinox.

The spiritual significance of Spring Equinox. 

As a symbol of optimism and hope, the Spring equinox is significant to countless cultures across the globe. On this day, people come together in celebration of renewal and rebirth as well as make resolutions for positive change. The start of spring marks an end to winter's darkness and coldness, offering rays of warmth that signify unlimited potentialities ahead. The Spring Equinox marks a sacred event, an opportunity to take part in ancient rituals that honour our connection with nature. This special occasion brings joy and renewal, inspiring us to have faith that things will get brighter each day.

Here are some ideas of how to celebrate Spring Equinox this year: 

• Stand outside facing the sun, say thank you to each piece of nature that you can see, thanking the sun and acknowledging the coming of growth and renewal. 
• Take a walk in nature! Notice the smell of the earth, feel the breeze, hear birds singing and marvel at the beauty found in nature. 
• Folklore claims that special magnetic or energetic changes on the day of the spring equinox make it possible to stand a raw egg on its end. As egg-citing as this sounds, it's a myth but you can create an egg hunt instead (maybe get the children involved too!).
• Gather with friends or family to share a drink that celebrates the new season (perhaps a herbal tea). 
• Hold a planting ritual by planting seeds of plants, herbs, and flowers inside or outside if your location allows. These can be used later in the summer and fall for cooking and herbal teas.
• Practice Yoga! This is the perfect opportunity to seek balance in your breath, mind, body and soul. Click here for a free yoga class centred around shifting stagnant energy.
• Put some spring flowers in your home.
• Enjoy a special meal made with fresh seasonal produce. 

If you do nothing else, surround yourself with the potent energy of growth and use it to nurture your vision, dreams, and aspirations. Perhaps take a moment just to tune into what you want to manifest into your life (your hopes and affirmations). Remember, your thoughts have great power; whatever you focus your attention on will grow – think of this like planting a seed in the ground. Just as plants blossom into existence each season, take that same idea and watch your own creations flourish!

Happy Spring Equinox everyone! 

Wishing you abundance and joy on this special day of balance. May the renewal of spring bring in plentiful ideas full of growth potential!

Click here for a free yoga class centred around shifting stagnant energy.