Spring Equinox: A Time of Growth and Renewal

The word "equinox" has its origin in Latin and literally means "equal night." This refers to the time of year when the night and day are of nearly equal length. There is an equinox in spring and one again in autumn. The spring equinox, which usually falls on March 20 or 21, is a time when many cultures around the world observe rituals, customs and holidays celebrating the return of spring.

Easter is one such celebration. Easter is celebrated each year on the fist Sunday after the first full moon occurring on or after the spring equinox. If the full moon is on a Sunday, then Easter is delayed until the following week so there is less chance it might fall on the same day as the Jewish Passover. For this rather confusing and convoluted way of determining when to celebrate Easter we can thank the Council of Nicaea, which passed this ruling in 325 AD.

For our ancestors who lived in the northern hemisphere, success in hunting, planting and harvesting depended on their knowing seasonal durations and transitions. In many instances it could be said their lives depended upon such knowledge. Sky watchers of the past designed and refined systems for regulating their calendars so they could mark celestial events. They often aligned these calendars with the sunrises and sunsets of the equinoxes, solstices and cross quarters. For them the spring equinox was not a date on the calendar that could be changed or manipulated by the decree of some council of men.

Each year as our planet moves around the sun in an elliptical circuit, we proceed through eight significant yet invisible thresholds marking the beginning, midpoint and end of each of the seasons.

The vernal or spring equinox holds special magic, ushering in the return of warmth and with it the renewal of plant and animal life. It is a time to celebrate fertility and conception. The darkness of winter is banished and the earth begins to bloom. Spring is a time of sowing and setting seed. Birds hatch. Flowers bloom. Trees blossom. Spring is a time to celebrate the return of the maiden aspect of the great triple goddess and all the young life energy she represents. It is a good time to color or decorate eggs, as they are symbols of the fertility of the goddess. The spring equinox is an excellent time to celebrate and honor the lives of young girls. It is a time to invite the fairies to join in your celebrations and ask them to gather in your gardens and yards.

Christianity may have changed the name of the celebration of spring, but as can be easily seen it did not nor could not take away the symbols or the rituals. They remain in the hot cross buns, the Easter bonnets, rabbits, colored eggs and special observances at sunrise.

So what plans have you made for the celebration of the equinox this spring? What will you do at this special time of equal night and equal day? Who and what will you honor?

May the fairies and the maidens bless you,
Ingrid

Ingrid Kincaid is an internationally known storyteller, teacher and spiritual mentor. She is an intuitive reader of ancient runes. She gently shows her clients how to tap into their own inner wisdom by weaving together creativity, spirituality and ancient knowing. Ingrid is available for interviews, private consultations and group presentations. You can contact her at ingk@ingridkincaid.com or 415.652.3990.