Why I Mark the Spring Equinox.
I didn’t grew up knowing about the Celtic Wheel of the Year and Pagan festivals. When I joined a Christian church at 19, I learnt anything pagan was to be feared. My journey of questioning, re-thinking and re-imagining my Christian faith and spirituality allowed me to explore them and consider why my ancestors marked and celebrated them for 1000’s of years. These festivals now give me a structure or rhythm to the year and opportunity for life affirming ritual and deeper connection to the season, the earth, myself, others and to the Divine, the Great Spirit, Divine Mystery, Loving presence that some call God.
The Science
The March equinox (aka Vernal Equinox) occurs when the Sun crosses the equator line, heading north. This event marks the start of the spring in the northern half of the globe as the Northern Hemisphere begins to tilt more toward the Sun, increasing daylight hours and giving us warmer temperatures. (It’s the opposite in the Southern Hemisphere with the March equinox marking the start of autumn).
The word equinox comes from the Latin words for “equal night”—aequus (equal) and nox (night). All around the globe we experience a similar amount of night and day light, roughly 12 hours.
Why celebrate?
No wonder our ancestors celebrated Spring Equinox, the new life, new growth and new beginnings. In winter, times were hard as life lay dormant and days were cold and short. Since Winter Solstice (the shortest day in December) the light slowly increases and the Equinox is the moment of transition to longer, warmer days. I was walking amongst flowering magnolias trees and camellias this week and felt such deep delight. How is it a bud, a new green leaf, a beautiful bloom, can bring such joy? For our hunter gathering ancestors it would have meant fresh food, sustenance and health, no wonder it was a time of feasting, thanks giving and hope. To celebrate it feels intrinsic, as if something in my body knows it’s significance.
Mark Spring Equinox with LiveLight|DwellDeep
Reflection
Pause…
Arrive into the present moment. Perhaps focus on your breathing…
Notice…
Signs of new life and growth in the natural world and within yourself…
Reflect…
On the gifts and challenges of winter and hopes and dreams of Spring.
Respond…
Set some intentions for this coming season.
Christianity and the Spring Equinox
It makes sense to me that the Christian calendar chose to mark Easter around the March Equinox, a season of rebirth and new beginnings. Another name the Druids use for the Spring Equinox festival is Alban Eilir, meaning 'The Light of the Earth'. Jesus’ death and resurrection was new chapter beginning, one full of love and possibility and he said to his followers “ you are the light of the world”.
The Celtic Wheel of the Year is now part of my evolving Christian faith and deepening spirituality. My indigenous tradition connects me more deeply to the earths rhythms and the wisdom she offers, the Celtic Saints called the natural world the “first bible” and I hope by marking her seasons, I learn to love and respect all the life that she supports.
Here are some more ideas of how to celebrate the Spring Equinox.
Join the Spring Equinox Online Retreat to mark the Equinox with guided meditation and reflection.
Wednesday 20th March 19:00 – 21:00 GMT. (iPhone booking link)
Saturday 23rd March 16:00 - 18:00 GMT (iPhone booking link) .
Join the Easter Online Retreat on 27th March at 19:00 - 21:00 GMT. (iPhone users use this link to book)
All our welcome, of any faith or none, an inclusive and safely held space for compassionate and curious sojourners.
To subscribe the LiveLight|DwellDeep Updates CLICK HERE.