The spring equinox, also known as the vernal equinox, marks the beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere. The word equinox is derived from Latin, where "aequus" means equal and "nox" means night. This occurs twice a year -when we move in to the Spring and Fall seasons. During the equinox, the sun crosses the celestial equator, and the day and night are of equal length all over the world. With the Sun moving into the sign of Aries, it also marks the beginning of a new astrological year.
All over the world, people will be celebrating this season of change and new life. The spring equinox holds significance in many cultures and religions worldwide. In ancient times, people celebrated the equinox as a time of rebirth and renewal. It was a time to rejoice in the return of the light and the lengthening of days. Similarly, in modern times, the spring equinox is celebrated as a time of new beginnings, growth, and transformation.
Many celebrations of Spring have their origins in ancient times. I want to share a few ways this occasion is celebrated across the globe with the invitation for you to participate or be inspired to create your own commemoration. After all, 2023 is a HUGE year of change, new beginnings and renewal. Can you feel it? I will also share a bit about the chart for this years March equinox-after all, it is the birth of a new astrological year.
Spring across the world
The Vernal equinox is celebrated in India as Holi, the festival of colors. It is a time to celebrate the victory of good over evil and to welcome the spring season. People throw colored powder and water on each other, dance, and feast on sweets and other traditional foods. In Mexico, many people travel to the archeological sites across the country to participate in ceremonies and rituals. An old traditional celebration called "Zhonghe Festival” is practiced by Beijing locals in China, where sacrifices are offered to the God of Sun. This tradition is The "Sun Cake", a round cake made from wheat and sugar, serves as the main offering.
In Japan, the spring equinox is known as Shunbun no Hi, meaning “A time to pay respect to ancestors”. it is a national holiday where many people visit their ancestors' graves, clean them, and leave offerings of food and flower. In Iran, the spring equinox is celebrated as Nowruz. Families gather together, and it is a time for cleaning and renewing their homes. They also prepare a special table setting with items symbolizing health, wealth, happiness, and other good things. In Sweden, the spring equinox is celebrated as Vårdagjämning. Even though it is typically still very cold, folks light bonfires and gather to sing and dance, welcoming the renewal of life One popular celebration of the spring equinox is the festival of Ostara, which is celebrated by Wiccans and other neopagans in many European countries and the United States. Ostara is a time to honor the goddess of spring and fertility and to welcome the return of the sun's warmth and light. During this festival, people often decorate eggs, which symbolize new life, and participate in rituals and ceremonies that celebrate the rebirth of the natural world. The Christian holiday that commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ also takes place this time of year, often involving family gatherings and egg hunts.
Astrologically Speaking
This is the start of a brand New cycle around the Zodiac. The chart for the moment the Sun enters Aries can be considered a birth chart for the New Year. We can get some insights into the collective personality, strengths, weaknesses, and potentiality of this year based on the the position and aspects of the planets in the zodiac signs. Some of us will feel these things on a more personal level based on ones natal chart. I cast this chart for zero degrees of Aries, so the houses do not reflect location or areas of life.
This year we have Jupiter still transiting Aries indicating there will likely be continued growth and expansion in all things Aries. Jupiter is considered the great benefic as it makes things bigger, brings opportunities and elevates optimism.You may feel a strong urge to take action, pursue goals and embrace new opportunities throughout the year. This placement can also bring a sense of confidence and enthusiasm for life, as well as a desire to explore new territories and take risks. However, there is a need to be mindful of impulsive or aggressive behavior or a tendency to rush into things without considering the consequences.
Venus is conjoined with The North Node in Taurus and opposite South Node in Scorpio.
While the Nodes will Move to the Aries/Libra axis in July 2023, Venus, the ruler of Taurus joins forces with the North Node at the equinox. This strengthens the themes of love, relationships, values, and material resources. The North Node in Taurus represents the evolution of how we relate to comfort, pleasure, and stability, while the South Node in Scorpio represents past patterns and experiences related to power dynamics, intensity, and transformation. There will be more life changing developments in terms of world/national economies, and our relationships with others and the natural world.
Saturn in Pisces is making a Trine to the South Node and Sextile Venus and North Node. This suggests we can get some help from Saturn in our evolution if we are willing to put in the work, and make solid plans to turn dreams into reality. While it is likely we will need to face our limitations and deal with dissolving structures, unifying solutions will come through the imagination, creativity and realistic goals.
Mars in Gemini is separating from A Square to Neptune in Pisces. We have already been cutting through confusion and scattered actions since Mars entered Gemini in August of 2022. While the energy isn’t entirely cleared out, Mars is moving on. We may still need to cut through the fog of illusion and make our own way in this astrological new year, however more secrets will come to light.
Pluto is at the tail end of Capricorn. It will move into Aquarius on March 23, then retrograde back into Capricorn June 11. In January 2024, it will move back into Aquarius where it will stay for the next 19 1/2 years. While we will definitely get a taste of technological breakthroughs and break downs - humanitarian change and themes related to liberation this year, with Pluto at the critical 29 degree of Capricorn, there is more significant, most likely intense, transformation coming to our societal structures and relationship to authority. This year will bring a culminating effect to the changes that have been taking place since Pluto entered Capricorn in 2008.
You are here now at this historic time… How do you want to grow? What is ready for transformation in your own life? What seeds will you plant for this year and for future generations? There is Great Hope for things to come and this Spring Equinox is the perfect opportunity to celebrate life, the balance between light & dark and the cycles of nature.
Whether you celebrate on your own, or with others, in your home, or out in nature, make sure you celebrate!
I would LOVE to hear how you are going to celebrate or if you have any suggestions you want to share! Thank you!
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