The March equinox is the movement when the sun crosses the true celestial equator – or the line in the sky above the earth’s equator – from south to north, around March 20 (or March 21) of each year.
There are two days a year that are pretty much equal day to night - 12 hours each. That's because the Earth’s axis of rotation is perpendicular to the line connecting the centers of the earth and the sun.
In gyroscopic motion, the earth’s rotational axis migrates in a slow circle based as a consequence of the moon’s pull on a nonspherical earth. This nearly uniform motion causes the position of the equinoxes to move backwards along the ecliptic in a period of about 25,725 years.
Many people don't celebrate this as anything special, but in our family, we welcome the changes of the season. Although we enjoy Winter, we LOVE the arrival of Spring, and celebrate rebirth and growth. Here's when we start the seedlings of the plants that will eventually bear fruit (or veggies!).
How to celebrate Spring - whether tomorrow or maybe this weekend:
Get into the mood for the Spring Equinox by taking a stroll through a field of flowers. Perhaps there's a botanical gardens or park or something similar near you or in the nearby countryside. If you can't, stop by Wal-Mart or your local florist and pick up some fresh flowers - just choose whatever appeals to you without worrying about them making a beautiful bouquet!
Time to plan for the next year. Think about the symbolism - Spring is rebirth and fresh life. Make that about your fresh life. What do you think you can change about your life. Today. Right now. Not waiting until the weekend, or Monday.
Decorate your home with fresh flowers. Wear flowers - whether a pattern in the cloth, or a fresh bud in your lapel or your hair. Burn jasmine or any other floral incense or candles.
This is the time for a great feast! You may choose to celebrate during Easter, but it need not wait! Serve a delicious salad with greens (that you planted a few weeks ago) with fresh alfalfa or broccoli sprouts and tossed with pumpkin and sunflower seeds. To celebrate the new life of farm animals, this is the time to serve lots of fresh butter and cheese (dairy products), and to make hot cross buns or fresh honey-baked wheat bread with the last of (usual) stores.
Color some eggs! Boil eggs with a single onion skin for soft orange. For rust, toss in a handful of onion skins, or a beet with vinegar for more of a pink/red color. Half a teaspoon of turmeric will give a nice yellow.
How do YOU celebrate Spring?
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