Spring equinox: natural reset

Each year between March 19 and 21, the northern hemisphere has experienced a celestial event that has captured humans for millennia: the spring equinox. This moment, when day and night are almost equal, marks the official start of spring and symbolizes balance, renewal and growth. But what exactly is happening during the equinox, and why was it so important in all cultures and times?

Science behind the equinox

The spring equinox occurs when the sun crosses directly on the equator of the earth, a phenomenon known as “the vernal equinox”. At this stage, the axis of the earth is neither tilted nor towards the sun, which leads to almost equal quantities of daylight and darkness around the world. After the equinox, the days of the northern hemisphere lengthen until summer solstice in June.

The word “equinox” comes from the Latin terms aequus (equal) and nox (night). Although the balance between day and night is not perfectly equal due to atmospheric refraction and the size of the sun, it is always a fascinating display of the symmetry of nature.

Historical and cultural meaning

For thousands of years, spring Equinox has a deep cultural and spiritual importance. Many ancient civilizations have designed monuments and structures to align with the equinox. For example, at the Maya pyramid of Chichén Itzá in Mexico, the sunset throws a shadow that looks like a snake that slides on the steps of the pyramid – an event that attracted crowds even in ancient times.

In Egypt, the large sphinx is supposed to line up on the rising sun on the day of the equinox, highlighting the sophisticated understanding of the astronomy of the ancient Egyptians. Likewise, Stonehenge in England aligns the sun during the spring and autumn equinoxes, stressing its likely role of solar calendar.

Modern celebrations

In contemporary times, the spring equinox was celebrated in various ways. In many pagan and wiccan traditions, the equinox coincides with the Ostara festival, which honors fertility, renewal and changing seasons. Rituals often involve planting seeds, decoration of eggs and recognition of earth cycles – personalities that many will recognize in modern Easter traditions.

The equinox also serves as a practical marker for farmers and gardeners. As the hours of clarity are growing and temperatures increase, it is an ideal moment to start planting crops. For cannabis cultivators, in particular, the equinox is essential for the external synchronization of growth with the natural cycle of the sun. According to Cannabis commercial timePhotoperiod cannabis plants are based on changes in the exposure of light to the transition between vegetative stages and flowering, which makes this period of the pivot year for producers.

Embracing the equinox

The spring equinox is more than a celestial event; It is a reminder of natural rhythms that govern life on earth. It’s time to embrace renewal and balance, whether by unlocking your home, starting a new project or reconnecting with nature.

If you are looking for inspiration, remember to plant a garden or even metaphorical seeds for personal growth. While the earth begins its flowering and renewal cycle, it is an ideal opportunity to align yourself with the energy of the season and to define the intentions for the coming months.

So why not get the most out of this cosmic reset? Whether through old traditions or modern practices, the spring equinox invites us to celebrate the balance, growth and beauty of life cycles.