Spring Equinox
By the time of the spring equinox, which occurs around March 21, the preparations and planning begun at Imbolc are
beginning to take hold and develop. Seeds started indoors, under cold frames or sown outdoors in warmer climates are
cracking open, taking root and pushing through the soil. Spring equinox celebrations acknowledge these awakenings and the
return of the Goddess’ attention to the fecundity of the earth and its animals. Many ancient cultures and modern covens
hold ritual dramas enacting the ascent of the goddess from the underworld. The return of the Greek Persephone/Kore is
perhaps the most well known. The maiden goddess returns to the Upperworld after her sojourn in the land of the dead to
revel in the rebirth of spring, which can only be achieved after the death of winter. The returns of the Babylonian Ishtar
and the Sumerian Inanna are also placed by some at the spring equinox though others disagree with this dating.
The sun mirrors this theme of rebirth as it transits from Pisces, the final sign of the zodiac, to the first, Aries, the sign associated with beginnings, energy, optimism, and idealism. For the Romans, this celestial event indicated the beginning of a new year and festivals were held in honor of Janus, the two faced god who looked into both the past and the future. Until the Middle Ages, much of Europe, which was heavily influenced by the Roman Empire, celebrated the new year in March and modern Iranians, Indians and Tibetans continue to commemorate the New Year around this date.
The star pattern of Aries forms a ram, an animal symbolic of the fertile, masculine, wild nature of the Lord of the
Greenwood. As the Goddess is portrayed as a beautiful maiden, lively and independent, so the God is conceived of as a young,
virile, untamed man. For some, the divine union of the God and Goddess takes place at the spring equinox, symbolizing the
sacred act of sex necessary for conception and growth to take place. Owing to their climates, others place this observance
at the later Sabbat of Beltane, which occurs on April 30, and choose celebrate the engagement of the God and Goddess at the
spring equinox. Margaret Murray, an early witchcraft researcher, theorized that the equinoxes were not celebrated in the
British Isles until their observance was introduced by foreign invaders. More recent evidence is beginning to question this
theory, but its influence is felt in modern Wicca, which often refers to the equinoxes and solstices as the Lesser or Minor
Sabbats, or those that were not celebrated by the original inhabitants of the British Isles.
The sun figures prominently is the second theme of the spring equinox, that of balance. The equinox marks the midpoint between the winter and summer solstices. At the winter solstice, the sun was reborn and began to grow in strength while at the summer solstice the sun is at the height of its power, remaining in the sky for the longest day. The spring equinox is the perfect harmony between these two extremes. The sun rises due east and sets due west and day and night are in complimentary balance, each having 12 hours. The sun crosses the celestial equator on its way into the northern hemisphere, bringing prolonged days, warmer temperatures and life-giving light. Continuing to look at the sky, we can again see the theme of light and beginnings reflected in the movements of nature. The spring equinox ushers in the light half of the year, when daylight hours are longer than night hours. Even though the sun will begin to wane at the summer solstice, night and day will not return to balance again until the autumn equinox, when dark will overtake light.
Labyrinth, sprial inward, spiral outward
As we see it reflected in nature, so it is within that the energy of the season calls us to turn our attention outward, to
sprout and to grow. Undertakings begun at the spring equinox will flourish during the light half of the year and mature at
the autumn equinox. It is an excellent time to take up new studies, begin new projects and perform rituals of growth,
fertility and expansion. Attune with the theme of extroversion by walking the labyrinth. When you reach the middle of the
labyrinth, stay for a moment; meditate on rebirth, awakenings and beginnings. As you walk outward, imagine your spirit
unfurling, arousing the desire to create, begin and sow. Covens or groups may choose to dance the spiral dance instead of
walking a labyrinth. The concept is the same for both, the chain of life spirals inward toward the center of self and then
spirals outward toward community. Look outward from yourself and project the light and life of the season into the
community, pagan or otherwise.
Polish eggs
The eggs so strongly associated with this time of year are symbolic of life and rebirth. Decorating eggs is a traditional
Easter custom, but the practice is far older than the Christian holiday. Eggs have long been associated with Eostre, the
Germanic goddess of spring, and with other Slavic goddess of rebirth and fertility, such as Vila Zemyna and Umaj. Poland and
the Ukraine, especially, have a long tradition of creating eggs so intricately decorated it is considered an art form.
Decorate your own eggs on the Sabbat to realign yourself with ancient energies, use symbolic color associations in your
decoration. Red is associated with life blood, green with growth and the Goddess, yellow with masculine power and blue with
spiritual pursuits. Allow the inspiration of the season to awaken your creativity as you work with the symbol of the
season.
The theme of balance adds an element of the Otherworlds to the Spring Equinox. When the two worlds of dark and light are in balance, they are closer to each other, making otherworldly contact easier. Fairies are often associated with the spring equinox and it is said that they may be seen tonight, if you only pay attention. It is traditional to leave offerings of milk, honey, bread or shiny things such as coins out for the fairy folk on the night of the equinox. To draw fairies to your garden plant sweet smelling flowers such as lilac or honeysuckle. Divination is said to be clearer and more easily interpreted when the worlds are closer together. Try divination of any kind tonight, focus questions on what the coming year holds.
The spring equinox holds the promise of growth, opportunity and expansion. Nature calls to us to come outside, shake off the cold months and stretch under the light of the sun. It is a joyous time of rebirth and renewal and should be celebrated with much revelry, feasting and reverence in what ever manner you choose to observe the Sabbat.
Youthful sun god in the sky
Golden blaze riding high
Strike a balance, then reach full force
Turn the wheel on splendid course
Maiden goddess, full of life
Green away the winter’s strife
From your womb all life is born
Upon your brow the crescent horn
Continue to Spring Equinox :: Correspondences
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