Even though it’s not the first day of spring until March 20, we’re already starting to feel the changes. Maybe you’ve put your puffer coat back in the depths of your closet for the winter, or just started to not dread walking outside. Spring is in the air, which means the Spring Equinox is coming — here’s what it means.
What is the Equinox?
In the northern hemisphere, the Spring Equinox, also known as the Vernal Equinox, begins on Sunday, March 20, 2022 and marks when the Sun crosses the equator line, heading north, according to the Farmer’s Almanac. We more commonly know this as the time when we experience more daylight hours.
Why is it called an equinox?
You’ll have to dust off some Latin to glean the meaning of equinox, which comes from the Latin words for “equal night.” On the day of the equinox, the length of daylight and nighttime hours is nearly equal in all parts of the world.
What does this mean spiritually?
Across cultures, spring is seen as a time of rebirth and renewal — making it a good time to cleanse your space or let go of things no longer serving you. Nowruz, also known as Iranian New Year begins alongside the vernal equinox (and literally translates to “new day”) while many religions also celebrate the start spring as a time of light triumphing over darkness, like with Passover and Easter.
What else is going on astrologically?
The spring equinox follows a spiritually potent full moon in Virgo on March 18. This lunation can bring focus whatever part of your birth chart it transits for extra powerful lessons that you can carry with you straight into the new year.
Are there any rituals to celebrate the equinox?
Planting seeds, “spring cleaning,” performing an energy cleanse to rid yourself of negativity in your space, or meditating on the changes in nature are all good ways to acknowledge the start of a new season. Of course, you can also always pull your spring wardrobe out of storage. Haven’t you heard? Mini skirts are all the rage.