The Power of the Spring Equinox

In astronomy, the vernal equinox is the moment when the Sun, traveling along the ecliptic, is at the intersection of the celestial equator and the ecliptic. March 20-21 the length of day and night becomes the same throughout the globe. The vernal equinox is the reference point when the sun rises exactly in the east and sets in the west. The length of day and night becomes equal. This is the astronomical beginning of spring.

Since ancient times, man has divided the flow of time and divided it in various ways. Ancient calendars reveal the relationship between human earthly life and nature, the cosmos. Lunar cycle calendars date back to the Stone Age. With agriculture came the calendars of the seasons (seasons), whose starting point is the solstices and equinoxes. Human life was inseparable from the cycle of natural transformations. Over time, the calendars of various nations and cultures merged (or were merged) with the festivals and customs of various religions.

In nature, the spring equinox is primarily associated with the return of light and warmth. Nature wakes up, various forms of life become active, birds begin to return, the earth is freed from bondage, sap begins to rise in the plants, water is freed from the grip of the cold... Paraphrasing K. Donelaitis, Saulelė wakes up the world again and laughs, breaking down the cold toils of winter.

In a spiritual sense, the vernal equinox symbolizes rebirth, fertility, creativity, renewal, the struggle between light (day) and darkness (night). It is an external transformation in nature and an internal transformation in man, a transition from stagnation, death, to awakening, life. It is the starting point for a new beginning.

In astrology, when the Sun "enters" the Zodiac sign of Aries, the New Astrological Year begins. Aries is considered the first sign of the Zodiac, so this energy symbolizes for us the beginning, the birth, the force that defeats death. It is a statement to the whole world - "I am!". And not just "I am", but I am powerful, energetic, strong and I take the initiative to overcome challenges, I am active, and if necessary, I fight for a place under the Sun! Aries Zodiac represents the element of fire. His fire helps the triumph of light, accelerates the "explosion" of spring. It is the primordial spark of fire that ignites life.

Although we are now inevitably "tied" to clocks and the time they show, although we record more hours, days, or events, deep inside we still have those records that encode the primordial knowledge of the laws, cycles, and their meaning of the Earth and the Universe. If we move away from the concept of linear (finite) time, we will fall into "rolling in the Wheel of Reda", into the mandala of time. Turning points are important here - equinoxes and solstices - where the path taken, experience gained and a bridge to the next stage, to the future, are reviewed. During these periods of transformation (change) it is important to "slow down" or even stop. In ancient cultures, it was a sacred time that suspended the everyday (Greek kairos and chronos or Latin sacrum and profanum, meaning sacred and profane, beyond the sacred, secular).

Ancient Lithuanians believed that if you bathed in the river flowing from the east on the morning of the equinox, you would be clean and healthy all year round. What is your holy time ritual? Which one would you like to create? Maybe meet the rising sun? Maybe light a candle and set aside time for contemplation, prayer or journaling? Maybe meet the birds of your flock for a song or a squawk? Maybe go for a walk and look for signs of awakening life in nature? Maybe plant some plant seeds and cast a love spell on them? Or to sow seeds of awareness, intentions, dreams and then watch them sprout, grow and bear fruit?

"With all my historical bones" I feel the importance of suspending everyday time during such periods of transformation. How important it is to dive into our sanctuaries to be reborn under the new Sun with new strength.

This natural transformation of the year is celebrated together with the world Earth Day (March 20). By the way, the United Nations in 2012 published on March 20 and International Day of Happiness! The initiator of the celebration was Bhutan, which is considered one of the happiest countries in the world. This day is intended to call on all countries of the world to actively strive to improve people's psychological, physical and social well-being, strengthen emotional health, and develop awareness and attentiveness.

The exact moment of entry of the equinox in 2024 March 20 06 hours 06 min. Let's greet ourselves, the world and the rising Sun with the new inspiring spring, with the new awakening power.