When is the Spring Equinox in 2022?
The Spring Equinox occurs Sunday, March 20, for the year 2022.
In the United States, the exact Spring Equinox astronomical time is 8:33 am Pacific (Los Angeles), 10:33 am Central (Chicago) and 11:33 am Eastern (New York).
What is the Spring Equinox?
The Spring Equinox is an astronomical event that takes place when the Sun appears to cross the celestial equator and head northward.
Other names for this event are Vernal Equinox or Northward Equinox. For those who live in the Southern Hemisphere, it will be the Fall or Autumnal Equinox.
Often the Vernal Equinox is considered to be the first day of Spring.
The days will become longer. Plant and animal life will begin to emerge with the warmer weather. We will stay in the spring season and energy until the Summer Solstice on June 21, 2022.
Balance of Day and Night
It is said that during this event we have the same amount of daylight and darkness. The word Equinox is a mixture of the latin words “aequss” (equal) and “nox”(night)
In truth, the event where there is 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness is referred to as the Equilux. It's a specific time and day depending on where you are in the world. Generally, Equilux occurs a few days before the Spring Equinox and a few days after the Fall Equinox.
Spring Equinox Meaning
Spring is a time of new life, fertility, and abundance. Plant life is sprouting new leaves in vibrant green. Flowers in bold and soft colors open themselves. Baby animals can be seen and heard out in nature. The earth seems to come alive after the dormancy and cold of winter.
Many consider this to be a time of rebirth. These themes are ever present in cultural and religious celebrations around this time of year. Accompanying these themes are the symbols of rabbits, decorated eggs, sweets, baby chicks, crosses, birds, bees and flowers.
In folklore it said that on the equinox you can balance a raw egg on its end. There is also the saying, “In like a lion, out like a lamb” which refers to an ancient belief that if the weather at the beginning of Spring is rough (like a lion), then it was a good indication that weather at the end of Spring would be easy and smooth (like a lamb).
In mythology, the coming of Spring is often associated with the myth of Hades and Persephone. While Persephone is in the Underworld, her mother Demeter is sad and lonely, and the earth descends into gradual darkness, plants wither and the land seems to become barren. Upon Persephone’s return, Demeter’s heart begins to lighten and fill with joy, thus allowing life to return to the earth. In some version of this tale, Zeus put the constellation of Virgo in the sky as a gift for Demeter. The constellation is meant to be a symbol of hope in the knowledge of Persephone’s return.
Other Spring Holidays and Celebrations
This is by no means a comprehensive list, but here are some upcoming other holidays coming up this Spring that align with the themes of the equinox.
Purim (Jewish): Wednesday March 16th (Evening) - Thursday March 17th (Evening)
Holi (Hindu): March 17th (sundown) - March 18th (sundown)
Ostara (Pagan/Wiccan): Sunday March 20th
Nowruz (Iranian New Year): Monday March 21st (Iran) or Sunday March 20th (USA)
Easter (Christian): Sunday April 17th
Ways to Celebrate the Spring Equinox
Planting Seeds of Intention
You don’t have to have a green thumb or a massive amount of yard space to plant seeds. Whether in the city or the country, house or apartment, everyone can enjoy the planting of seeds and watching with wonder as they begin to sprout.
Egg Balance
For those who have a knack for science and experiments. Gather family and friends together to experiment with the equinox and whether the raw eggs can balance on their ends. Try it a few days before the equinox as well to see if you can identify the equilux.
Outdoor Activities
Anything outdoors will be an ideal way to celebrate the coming of Spring. Picnics, meditation, yoga, drumming circle, walking barefoot in the grass are just a few ideas. Sprucing up our outdoor spaces can be beneficial as well! Consider adding a new windchime to your patio or deck to bring in fresh energy from the outdoors.
Interpretive Dance
Make a playlist of songs that remind you of spring, joy, or laughter. They can be instrumental or have lyrics. It can be any kind of music. Once you make your playlist, go outside and dance! Let the music fill your body with movement and send out your feelings of the new season. Dance like everyone's watching but you just don’t care. Or try this Spring Equinox playlist from our staff member Kali!
Realignment & Self Care
Spring is like the great stretch after a long, deep sleep. Waking up, however, is sometimes a slow process. This is a great time to honor your spirit and body. A sound bath or a Reiki session is a wonderful way to realign your energy and shake off the sleepiness of winter. It’s also a good time to reassess your intentions and goals. Pair it with a tarot or hand analysis reading and you’ll be all set. Learn more and book with one of our many readers and practitioners here>
Offerings
It’s appropriate, especially at each equinox and solstice, to leave an offering for the faeries. The veil is thin during these times and faeries love to be mischievous and silly. Bread and milk are traditional, but fruits and sweets work as well. Whether you believe or not, it is a good idea to give back to the Earth and its Flora and Fauna. Consider volunteering at a neighborhood park clean up or at your local arboretum. You could also put out bird seeds, create a water source for the bees, plant flowers or plants for the butterflies. There is no limit on the creative ways that you can give back.
Crystals
Connect to the energy of the Spring Equinox with a crystal or two! Perfect to use in a spring themed ritual or mediation. Read about our top picks for Crystals for the Spring Equinox here>
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