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The seasonal cycle of the year is created by Earth’s annual orbit around the sun. Solstices are the extreme points as Earth’s axis tilts toward or away from the sun—when days and nights are longest or shortest.
On equinoxes, days and nights are equal in all parts of the world. Four cross-quarter days roughly mark the midpoints in between solstices and equinoxes. We commemorate these natural turning points in the Earth’s cycle. Seasonal celebrations of most cultures cluster around these same natural turning points.
The Kissing Mountains © Bernice Davidson 2018
As rivers and streams rush high, we wash away the debris gathered on our banks. Open the blinds, shake out the carpets, dust out the cobwebs. The thaw has come. In spring we burst through our old shells. We replace resistance with the determination of a dandelion growing through a crack in concrete. The old melts away with the snow. New ideas, like delicate sprouts, need attention and protection.
Our hearts are budding branches as we tend to All life. Turn the Earth, and prepare the garden bed for whatever work you grow. Wait for the Divine Moment to plant your seeds. We cannot hasten our gardens or our growth. Surrender to Earth’s wisdom. Stand in balance at the Equinox between open anticipation and reverent patience
—Mahada Thomas © Mother Tongue Ink 2024
from pg 62 in We'Moon 2025
World by Night © Diane Lee Moomey 2018
Traveling isn't required to celebrate this wonderful time of year in a scacred way, though! There are many traditions we can participate in at home with our loved ones or alone to celebrate Spring Equinox.
Blowing Bubbles © Robin Urton 2016
Create an altar: Make a space dedicated to our new intentions for the season. Adorn your space with bright colors, plants, and herbs that promote growth and healing. Place it in the sunshine to warm your hearts and minds after the dark months of winter.
Plant seeds or garden: gardening isn't only a seasonal tradition, it's also a ritual to honor this astrological event! Sing songs to your plants while you give them to the earth. Plant food and flowers to brighten up the land!
Wake at sunrise: Rise early from bed to glimpse the sun peaking over the horizon. Awaken your body and mind to the new day with the sun.
Have a bonfire: All over the world, cultures integrate fire into their celebrations. Go outside and have a fire (safely of course!). This is a great time to gather loved ones, set new intentions for the season and release them to the flames.
Spring cleaning: We all know this one, some look forward to the yearly cleanse while others dread this time. Cleaning on this day can boost your energy, open the windows and play music while the dust and stagnation of winter months is wiped clean.
Create new goals or projects: Equinox is a time of balance and beginnings. Start a project with the balance, clear head and an open plane of possibilities.
Go outside: Take a hike, or exploring new parts of your city you haven't seen before. Looks for signs of life sprouting from the fertile earth. Historically, spring is a great time to travel and explore. Roads once closed from snow will start to open with a brand new world of growth awaiting you. Even if the natural world is far from your doorstep, find a new tree in your city to sit under, or a fun part of town you haven't explored.
Grounded with Love © Darlene Cook 2019
The return of spring, time of holy equality. The landscape is still winter-rough and wind-blown. Walk outside and feel the raw possibility.
The anxieties hover—climate change, nuclear holocaust, environmental devastation—but let us not stress only existential apocalyptic tales. How do we stop devouring our planet and instead energize stories of plenty and repair.
From the ballast of balance, begin to notice The Commons, that entire life support system that we hold in trust for future beings. Envision a healing, parallel economy producing air, diversity, wilderness, asking only respect in return. Collect bits of wind-blown trash for a day. Gather in community, sharing the common wealth.
Walk in the woods, see that trees aren't isolated individuals. Each one is a Forest, Forest, Forest. I walk in the world, and I'm not even me; I am World.
Gaze through the mirror. World. World. World.
— Oak Chezar © Mother Tongue Ink 2019
Originally published in We'Moon 2020: Wake Up Call now half price!
Featured Image: Susan Bolen (Mariposa, CA) is the artist Manterbolen, Represented by Williams Gallery West, in Oakhurst, CA. Her work can be found on Redbubble, Facebook, and Manterbolen.com She lives in a fortress of semi-solitude with her loving husband and five cats.
Highlights of our desk top date book include information for every day:
"Together let us move from a space of restoration to a place of connection, celebration and exploration. Now is the time to begin to flesh out our insights after a time of deep recuperation. We trust the knowing and divine intelligence of Mother Earth, and soon we will sync ourselves with the energy of initiation and reinvention. We must lean into the resilient practices of our ancestors to help us germinate our creative seeds..." Imbolc or Candlemas, February 2nd, is a celebration of light and the first spark of spring.
In simpler times, communities gathered to jump over fires in the fields and participate in the great round of fertility. Listen to the voices of the universe saying YES—the Sun shines, the birds sing, the flowers bloom. The purpose of the universe is to celebrate the delight of its existence. May that inspiration hot-wire us into the living voltage of the Mother. Renew your life with others.
Happy Summer Solstice!
The Sun moves into the sign of Cancer, Spring is over Summer has come!
Solstices are the extreme points as Earth’s axis tilts toward or away from the sun, when days and nights are longest or shortest.
