March 19, 2024 is the Spring/Vernal Equinox. It is the time when Day and Night are equal; a time of balance. Balance makes my little Libra heart happy! It is associated with the East direction, and so also the dawn, rebirth, and renewal. A celebration of the return of the Sun. After today the days begin to be longer than the night. Light returns to the earth and with that comes hope. It is a time of new beginnings, life, love and fertility.
The Equinox marks the time that farmers began preparing the the ground. It is the time for plowing and sowing. As a child, we would go to my uncles farm in the spring and the grown ups would clear and plow his fields. We would end the day with a family softball game. It’s a good time to start your seeds indoors. Besides the actual physical planting seeds, it’s also a good time to metaphorically clear your ground, clear the things that have been blocking you from moving towards your goals. Let go of whatever is holding you back. The equinox is the perfect time to plant the seeds (metaphorically) of want you want to grow in your life. You can even combine the metaphorical and physical aspects by planting physical seeds. As you water them and grow your plants, use this as a reminder to water the seeds and tend to whatever you are trying to grow in your life whether its a good habit, a new business, a new project, whatever it may be.
Spring Equinox and the Plant World
Daffodils are always a symbol of spring for me. Growing up in the north, the daffodils were one of the first flowers to break through the earth in the early spring. They are a symbol of renewal and new beginnings. Another flower symbolizing renewal, new beginnings and spring are Violets. Like daffodils, they are one of the first flowers to bloom in early spring. Lilies are also abundant around the Spring Equinox, they symbolize purity and rebirth. Roses come in so many colors and each color has meaning. For spring symbolism, use Red roses for love, White roses for new beginnings, and Yellow Roses for joy and happiness (plus they represent the Bright Yellow Sun). Birch Trees are symbols of new beginnings, change, and rebirth in Celtic culture. Beith, the first letter of the Ogham alphabet is associated with the Birch tree. The Ash Tree is a sacred tree to the Celts. It is a symbol of balance, stability, rebirth and fertility.
Animals of the Spring Equinox
There are animals and birds associated with the Equinox. The obvious animal association is the Hare or Rabbit. We all know the easter bunny! Rabbits are a symbol of fertility and abundance. Another animal associated with fertility an spring is the Ram. Ram’s are also associated with balance, and so is a fitting animal association for this day when the world is in balance. Another animal, or rather a reptile that is associated with the equinox is the snake. This association comes from an ancient mayan pyramid built in Chichen Itza. As the rising sun’s light hits the pyramid it looks like a snake slithering down the pyramid. The Mayans called it “The return of the Sun Serpent”. The snake shedding it’s skin is an association with renewal and spring. Shedding the old and emerging new, shiny and beautiful! Let’s not forget our feathered friends…The sparrow and swallow are both associated with spring and the spring equinox. The song of the sparrow can be heard as the days get longer. Although sparrows are generally around all year. Spring is the time the engage in their mating dance and build their nests. Swallows have long been known as the “harbingers of Spring.”
Colors, Gems and Mineral associations of the Spring Equinox
When I think of Spring, I think of color! The bright Yellow sun, colorful flowers blooming everywhere and the green green grass of spring! Decorating your home, altar or self in colors associated with the Spring Equinox can help you feel connected to this day. Also using these colors in any candle magic you want to do today would be appropriate! Colors associated with spring are:
Blue: Calming, tranquility, stability. Blue skies, Deep Oceans, Lakes, Rivers. The association with water is what stands out to me here. Water that washes away the old to make room for the new. Green: To me, green is the color of life, and nature herself. It is the color of renewal, growth, fertility, hope, prosperity and abundance – all things associated with Spring! Pink: Love, compassion, and hope. When I speak of pink and love, it’s not that deep romantic or physical love that is associated with the color red. It is more a gentle, emotional love, healing type of love. More along the lines a self love, or self care. That gentle love given to someone who is in need of a hug. It is also associated with opportunities for love, like opening your heart. This is the Spring, gentle and nurturing. Yellow: Literally the color of the Sun! Which is what we are celebrating today! It is a color of warmth, energy and positivity! On the opposite end of the spectrum Yellow can be associated with caution (like the yellow on a stop light), but for today it is all about the Sun!
Gems and mineral associations are:
Aquamarine: Hope, Youth, Balance. You seen the connection, right??? It is also associated with the ocean (mainly protection when traveling across the sea) and mermaids. Moonstone: Is a stone of balance, harmony and hope. It has many other associations, but those are the focus at the Spring Equinox. Rose Quartz: Much like the associations with color pink above, this gemstone is associated with love, beauty, and healing (especially healing of the heart). I see it as also helping you open yourself to love and compassion.
The Spring Equinox has been celebrated throughout time by many cultures and religions. The word Equinox derives from Latin words aequus and nox, meaning equal and night. In ancient Rome, Attis, who was born of a virgin birth, died and was resurrected each year at the spring equinox. In ancient Persia, they celebrated No Ruz, which meant New Day. I spoke earlier about the ancient Mayans and the celebration of The Return of the Sun Serpent. Ancient Celtic culture did not associate this day with a Deity, but celebrated the time to prepare and plant new crops. In modern Paganism and Wicca, many celebrate this day as Ostara, the feast day of the Germanic Goddess Ostara or Saxon goddess Eostre. But also common in modern paganism is to celebrate the day without any religious connections. In modern Druidism the day is known as Alban Eilir – The light of the Earth.
However you choose to celebrate this day – I hope it is filled with light, hope, renewal and warmth! I will see you in part 2 to discuss some modern ways to celebrate The Spring Equinox and Ostara! Merry part friends, until we meet again!
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A Little Witchy 
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