Northern Hemisphere – March 19th – 21st
Southern Hemisphere – September 21st – 24th
Spring Equinox
The Spring Equinox (also known as the Vernal Equinox or Ostara) marks the astronomical first day of spring. The word ‘equinox’ is derived from Latin and means ‘equal night’. The equinox marks the point in time when the sun crosses the celestial equator (the imaginary line above earth’s equator) with the Earth’s axis being tilted neither towards nor away from the sun thereby resulting in nearly equal hours of daylight and darkness. From this point onwards, the days will become longer and the nights shorter until the summer Solstice.
The spring equinox occurs in both the northern and southern hemispheres, even though they occur six months apart. In the northern hemisphere, the Spring Equinox occurs sometime between March 19 and 21 and in the southern hemisphere it occurs sometime between September 21 and 24.
The spring equinox is a time of rebirth and renewal, a time of nature awakening and the stirring of new life and possibility. Trees come back to life and full of blossoms, the flowers of spring bulbs bring fresh scent and colour to the world and, new growth is all around. It is a time of sowing seeds, planting new life, connecting with the natural world, and celebrating the changing seasons. We also have the opportunity for new growth, fresh starts, and new beginnings. The spring equinox is a great time to commit to a new goal, set in motion new ideas and bring new energy, inspiration, and creativity into your life.
Ideas to celebrate the spring equinox
The following activities are just some of the ways that you can celebrate the spring equinox that reflect the theme of rebirth, renewal, and balance.
Connect with nature
Take some time to celebrate nature awakening and the stirring of new life by spending some time outdoors. Spring is associated with dawn and new beginnings so wake up early and watch the sunrise, explore a new walking path or nature trail, visit a local park, take a bike ride, or simply lay in the grass and watch the clouds drift by. Whatever you end up doing, take a moment to look at the natural world around you and breath in the fresh air. Mindfully engage your senses - look at all the different trees, plants, and flowers, listen to the various birdsong or touch the bark of a tree and see how it feels and compares to the bark of other trees. This connection with the natural world aligns with the themes of renewal and growth.
Plant new life
The spring equinox is a time of new life and new beginnings – both literally and symbolically – so it’s a great time to sow seeds. Nothing beats the taste of homegrown herbs, fruits, and vegetables for freshness and flavour. So, if you’ve been thinking about starting a garden, this is the time to do it. Sow some seeds and watch them grow on a windowsill or plant some seedlings out in the garden. You could also consider planting some native seeds in pots or in your garden. This is a great way to foster a connection to the unique flora of your area.
Symbolically, the equinox is also a great time to sow seeds of intention, commit to a new goal or start something fresh. It is a time to let go of the past, embrace the present and set in motion new ideas and opportunities.
Enjoy a spring meal
Enjoy fresh and local seasonal spring foods by preparing and sharing a delicious meal with family and friends. Spend time shopping at your farmers market, or favourite local produce stand to collect a selection of fresh spring foods to prepare for a spring feast. Celebrate with foods that honor the coming of spring, such as eggs, early spring greens, shoots, sprouts, bread, and fresh local dairy products. Alternatively, break out the picnic basket and blanket and invite your loved ones for a lovely spring picnic. The spring equinox is a great opportunity to start enjoying the outdoors and the fresh local produce on offer at this time of year.
Bring spring indoors
There is nothing like the beauty and fresh scent of spring in the home. Pick or purchase a bouquet of spring flowers to enjoy indoors or refresh and renew your home and body with essential oils. Alternatively, bringing some house plants into your home can add visual and health benefits. Plants purify the air in your home, help reduce stress and make rooms look fresh and peaceful. Start by doing some research to work out what plants will fit into your space, given that some plants need more sunlight or water than others.
Restore balance
Spring cleaning is a wonderful way to restore balance in your home or workplace. By decluttering and removing anything that no longer serves you or that you no longer need, you make more room for the things that bring you joy. Cleaning and organising the space you spend most of your time in can boost your mood and keeps you active. Any quality goods or clothing you no longer need or want can be donated to a charity store for others to enjoy. Consider using homemade natural cleaning products to keep everyone in the home safe.
Herbs for Spring Equinox
Many of the herbs available in spring, including some often considered “weeds”, have medicinal properties that we can use for optimal health and emotional support. The following are some herbs that are readily available at this time of year.
Chickweed (Stellaria media) is a tasty “weed” that grows in cool, shady, and damp areas. The dense, lush green foliage creates sprawling mats and produces tiny, star-like white flowers. Chickweed is a highly nutritious food source filled with vitamins and minerals. It is generally eaten raw and makes a pleasant addition to salads or it can be made into pesto. Chickweed can also be used externally as a poultice or added to topical creams and salves for the treatment of rashes and itchy skin. Chickweed is said to stimulate libido and increase fertility.
Cleavers (Galium aparine) is an annual “weed” that has a weak stemmed, creeping or climbing habit. The stems boast whorled leaves and tiny white flowers that bloom in spring. The stems, leaves and fruits are all covered in hairlike, hook-shaped bristles that easily latch onto other plants, animals, and people. The plant’s hook-like bristles soften when cooked with the plant having a fresh green taste. Chopped leaves and stem can be made into soups and stews or added to green smoothies for an extra nutrient boost. Medicinally, cleavers help to stimulate the lymphatic system and can be used as a diuretic in the form of a tea made from the dried stems and leaves.
Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) are everywhere. Often the power of this plant is overlooked as a weed, however it is actually incredibly beneficial being full of nutrients. The vitamin rich leaves are a strong diuretic and are helpful in cases of fluid retention. The bitter root is also known to help detoxify the liver, relieve bloat, and soothe digestion issues and inflammation.
Nettle (Urtica dioica) is an herbaceous perennial commonly considered a weed. The upright, rigid stems bear dark green, heart shaped leaves that are finely toothed and tapered at the ends. The clusters of small flowers are green to yellow. The entire plant is covered with fine hairs that release stinging chemicals when the plant comes into contact with the skin. Nettles are nutrient rich containing a number of vitamins and minerals. Young leaves can be eaten steamed or cooked like any other green vegetable, such as spinach. Medicinally, nettles can help with blood purification, allergy response and detoxification.
Sweet violet (Viola odorata) has a long history of traditional medicinal use for both internal and external applications. The leaves contain soothing mucilage and have antiseptic properties. The leaves can be made into tea or syrup and used for treating coughs, colds, and sore throats. Both the leaves and flowers are edible, filled with vitamins and make a nutritious and colorful addition to spring salads. Sweet violets are commonly associated with love and rebirth.
Final thoughts
However, you choose to mark this transitional day, make sure to honour yourself and nature awakening by incorporating herbs into your life. Herbs can be infused for a warming and relaxing tea, burned as incense for their calming scent, added to a ritual cleansing bath or incorporated into recipes for their nutritional benefits. I hope you find your own way to celebrate the spring equinox and experience the joy of this beautiful season.
