Vernal Equinox

Spring Equinox Reflections

Overview

• The Spring and Fall Equinoxes are midpoints between the Summer and Winter Solstices.
• The word “equinox” comes from the Latin aequus (equal) and nox (night).
• At the Equinox, the tilt of the Earth’s axis is not inclined away nor toward the sun and the Earth’s two hemispheres receive the sun’s rays equally.
• All over the world at the Equinox, we experience approximately equal parts daylight and darkness.
• The Vernal Equinox is considered the first day of Spring.
• Also called Ostara in the Wheel of Year, the Vernal Equinox falls between Imbolc and Beltane.

POSITIONING OF THE EARTH’S AXIS

We have an equinox twice a year – spring and fall – when the tilt of the Earth’s axis and Earth’s orbit around the sun combine in such a way that the axis is inclined neither away from nor toward the sun… The imaginary celestial equator is a great circle dividing the sky into Northern and Southern Hemispheres. At the equinox, Earth’s two hemispheres are receiving the sun’s rays equally. Night and day are approximately equal in length. The word equinox comes from the Latin aequus (equal) and nox (night). – EarthSky 

POETIC APPRECIATION FOR SPRING

The signs of nature’s awakening are everywhere. How can we not feel the magic when the frogs are croaking their love songs from the puddles outside the window? When tiny robins strut and peck their way through the yards, and the garden and grassy fields sprout with tiny shoots and buds? Spring is already bursting forth in glorious splendor, like a sweet aria sung at the top of Mother Nature’s lungs. It lures us to shuck our coats and jackets, don shorts and T-shirts, and frolic outside in the (almost) balmy breezes. – Sarah O’Leary 

POWERFUL TIME TO CARE FOR THE EARTH & SHED TOXIC BEHAVIORS

Now is the time to give full power to the seed dreams you incubated in your Heart Fire during the darkness of winter. The spring equinox is a powerful time to care for the earth and shed any limiting or toxic behaviors. At the moment of balance that shifts towards the next three months of increasing light, we get to shed again and revitalize what is truly growing. During this time of tremendous growth, let us all take care to protect the precious seedlings that have emerged from the depths of winter. Let us honor the fiery energy of new life. – Shiva Rea 

MAKE SPACE TO ALLOW FOR NEW GROWTH

‘Sit quietly, doing nothing, spring comes, and the grass grows by itself.’ ~ Zen saying. We hope you will take the time to rest today, to honor our transition into a new season with loving compassion for yourself, for our Earth, and for our global family. Take a moment now to take a few big deep healing breaths, take a moment (or two) to just be, and take a moment (or three) to chant sometime today. Let’s make some space in our lives to allow for new growth, to acknowledge that growth, to be fully present with that growth and whatever changes are happening right now.  – GirishMusic 

Theme Ideas

• Balance (as a Theme)
• Transition to Spring
• Nature’s Awakening
• Caring for the Earth
• New Beginnings / Renewal / New Life
• New Growth / New Creativity
• Purging / Cleansing / Releasing Limiting Beliefs or Toxic Behaviors
• Increasing Light / Clarity
• Breaking Open
• Springing into Action / Vitality
• Manifestation