Everything equinox: Your guide to celebrating the first day of spring
We can feel it coming in our bones. Our skin is beckoning for shorter hems and kisses from the sun, juice of all varieties sounds even more appealing than usual, and the flowers are just begging us to stop and smell them. Not only does March 20th mark the first official day of spring, but it’s also the Spring Equinox for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere.
The Spring Equinox also marks the transition from Pisces, the last sign in the zodiac, to Aries, the first sign. Meaning this is also the astrological New Year! The equinox is an astronomical event that happens twice a year, in spring and fall, and is caused by our planet’s tilt on its axis. (At the equinox, our planet is neither tilted towards or away from the sun.) This means that both hemispheres receive the same amount of light, causing day and night to be equal lengths.
Different religions all over the world celebrate the beginning of Spring in some way. Those who follow the Jewish faith celebrate passover, it’s the Iranian New Year called Nowruz, and for those who identify as Pagan, the Spring Equinox is known as Ostara. Even if you don’t celebrate any particular holiday at the time of the equinox, you can still embrace this time by getting in touch with nature!
The equinox is a time of balance; it's a time of equilibrium that reminds us to center and ground before we decided to grow, grow, grow like all the beautiful flowers. We are inherently connected to the natural world around us, whether we acknowledge it or not, so taking the day as a way to center ourselves around nature and commune with her gifts is an easy way to celebrate.
In case you needed more inspiration, we’ve rounded up some easy ways to celebrate the Spring Equinox.
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It’s just a walk in the park!
Spending time outside is at the top of the list for obvious reasons. If you’re lucky enough to live where the weather’s nice, or even luckier to live near a park or public outdoor space, take some time to commune with Mama Earth. Grab a picnic blanket, a book, journal, any or all of your crystals, and whatever else helps you feel rooted in the earthly realm. If you can walk to where you’re going, do so, and try being mindful of the way the sun is hitting your cheek, or the way the wind’s caressing your arms.
Taking time to be grateful for the beautiful things nature has to offer is a really easy way to become more connected to her. Stretch out at the park, enjoying your book or journal, and simply exist. If you want to take this practice a step further, you can take your shoes off and walk around slowly, being mindful of the way your feet touch the ground and of the way the earth supports you. Say “thank you” each time you walk and feel it in your heart.
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The best power is flower power,
Another easy way to celebrate the equinox? With flowers, of course! Head to your local flower shop, Trader Joe’s (which usually has great deals on bouquets and bunches), or the like, and pick some that speak to you! Another way to pick your flowers is to think of what you want to bring into your life, or manifest, in the coming months.
Want more love? Grab some roses! Want a more peaceful and loving environment? Pick up some lavender! Want luck? Pick daisies! You can find lists of magical correspondences for flowers online, or you can just use your gut.
Once you’ve picked some flowers, you can keep them in a vase, dry them and hang them up, or press them and then arrange them in a picture frame as some art! You can also decorate them, paint them, and take photographs of them. The sky is the limit!
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Garden Grrrl
If you’re less in the camp of buying flowers and more in the camp of planting them, the equinox is the perfect time to plant some new friends. Check out the local nursery and ask about what does well in your climate, as well as your specific living conditions (i.e. if you have a porch or patio, if the plants will be in direct or indirect sunlight…etc) and how to care for them.
You can also take the time to buy planters and decorate them; you can use sharpie, acrylic paint, glitter, googly eyes, or even dried pressed flowers. Intentionality is the key here, so if you’re planting seeds, talk to them! Tell them how you hope they’re going to grow and that you can’t wait to see them. Thank them for the beauty they’re going to bring into the world and plant them with gratitude and an open heart. Plants live better when you talk to them!
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Spring clean!
It’s called spring cleaning for a reason!
As the earth blooms and flora and fauna awaken from their slumber, so must we clean our dens and face the season with a fresh face and clean space.
Cleaning is a really powerful way to get in touch with the Earth’s changing energy. Physically cleaning your space is important, but so is energetically cleaning it! If you’re in a space that allows it, you can use sacred smoke, like that of Palo Santo or Sage, to help clear your space. Even if you can’t use smoke, you can still enjoy the benefits of a fresh environment. You can use essential oils, cinnamon brooms, and salt to help clear stagnant energy. Open the windows, use Florida Water to clean, and enjoy your fresh space.
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Make some magick to get some magick.
Since the equinox is “a between time,” aka a time that’s neither here nor there since it marks a transition from one season to the next, that also means the veil is thinnest and it’s a good time for magick! You can also work with the faery, or the elemental beings who exist on a plane parallel to our own, as well.
You can take a ritual bath, set an intention and meditate with it, perform a manifestation ritual for the coming season or create some art that’s infused with a specific intention you plan to bring to fruition. Working from a place of love is always a good idea, but performing simple love rituals at this time is also highly recommended.
As the earth blooms, so does our love. If you want a physical representation of your magick, create an altar! It can be anything from a bookshelf to a bedside table. Gather things that represent the season, like flowers, chocolate, honey, crystals, and trinkets that make you feel good. You can cleanse the items and space with smoke or Florida Water. Take a few deep, grounding breaths and then arrange your altar to your heart’s content!
Offer it up.
If you’re in the mood to thank Mother Earth for providing us with such a beautiful planet and gorgeous seasons, you can leave an offering to her in thanks.
Typical offerings include milk, bread, honey, tobacco, and alcohol. Whatever you choose, make sure you feel a special connection to it!
Find a spot in nature that speaks to you, the base of a beautiful tree is a great choice, approaching it gently with an open heart. Leave your offering for nature, or the faeries if that’s part of your practice. You can take the time to speak to nature and the earth about why you’re leaving the offering or you can just leave it and imagine your heart opening up; expanding to hug the tree, bush, or wherever you’re leaving your offering. Say thank you and walk away, keeping an eye out for any leaf or stick that catches your attention — the earth often gives us gifts back after an offering!
However you chose to celebrate, make sure to do so with an open heart, loving mind, and good intentions. Tis the season, so enjoy it! Happy Equinox!
