March 20th is the date of our Spring Equinox, and it’s a great time to celebrate Spring, rebirth, and renewal! Ancient traditions around the world celebrate this first day of spring, where the light and dark are equal, as the Earth begins its tilt toward the sun, bringing us warmer weather and more sunlight.
Since this Equinox occurs in a Libra moon, the symbolism of Balance is very strong. This is the day of the year when the sun rises in due East and sets in due West (equally). For this Equinox, we are still under the influence of the March 18th Worm Full Moon (so named for worms rising through the warm earth that was frozen) symbolizing the hidden part of our lives coming to the surface and being equally seen. This is also the zodiac cusp moving from Aries to Pisces – the sign of reincarnation and spiritual rebirth.
The most popular celebration of the Equinox is for the Germanic goddess Ostara (also known as Eostre). Her celebration day was the first full moon following the Equinox (same as our modern-day Easter celebration). Ostara’s celebrations include rabbits symbolizing fertility and eggs for rebirth.
My favorite myth is the Greek story of Demeter returning Spring to us each year as her daughter Persephone returns from her annual six-month stint in the underworld. Demeter’s joy at seeing her daughter makes all the flowers bloom, the sun shine, and returns to us the beauty of springtime and renewal.
Other spring festivals around the world honor deities associated with our Equinox and Spring:
The African goddess Ashanti, the Norse goddess Freya, the Egyptian god Osiris who was resurrected, the Hindu goddess Saraswati, the Greek goddess Rhea (also known as the Roman deity Cybele whose lover Attis was born of a virgin in the winter and resurrected each Spring), and the Greek goddess Gaia, also called Terra and Mother Earth.
In Christianity, the celebration of rebirth, resurrection, and the beginning of Spring is celebrated at Easter, with reverence to the resurrection of Jesus. (This year, the first full moon following the Equinox isn’t until April 17th, when we celebrate Easter, but nature doesn’t always follow our calendar, and she might spread her warmth and flowers a little earlier.) Christians also honor the Feast of Annunciation on March 25th, celebrating when Archangel Gabriel announced to the Virgin Mary that she has conceived Christ through the Holy Spirit (the seed was planted).
No matter your spiritual beliefs or traditions – get out there and celebrate the beginning of Spring! Notice the miracles of nature and the reliable cycles of life we experience. Feel gratitude that we are all part of this bigger world that just keeps turning and carrying us forward.
–Angela Boswell
Do the Work! For this month’s exercise to honor Spring, consider doing the following:
- Bring fresh flowers into your home.
- Think of talents you have from the past and choose what you would like to do again.
- Remember Spring days of the past and relive happy memories.
- Plant a seed, tree, or flowers around your home and watch them grow.
- Celebrate a Spring deity, Saint, or other religious figure with flowers and prayers.
- Paint a picture of flowers and grass on a bottle, sidewalk, canvas, or in a coloring book.
- Sit in the sun, walk barefoot, notice indications of spring.
- Spring clean – get rid of anything you don’t want, including dust!
- Take action on your dreams, get going on your goals.
- Celebrate your rebirth – send gratitude to the dark times you’ve experienced this past year for what you learned, but now release those feelings and move forward into the light.
Are you interested in personal mentoring and coaching with me? Email me to find out more! Angela@AngelaBoswell.com.
Absolutely Angela Boswell 