Equinox

Astronomical and historical meaning

The word "equinox" comes from the Latin aequus ("equal") + nox ("night"): "equal night" — equal to day. They are points of cosmic balance between light and darkness. The spring equinox (20-21 March) marks the beginning of the longest light cycle: from now on, days will lengthen until the summer solstice. The autumn equinox (22-23 September) marks the beginning of the descending light cycle: from now on, days shorten until the winter solstice.

Astronomically, the equinoxes are also the moments when the Sun enters the signs of Aries (spring equinox, point 0° Aries — beginning of the astrological year in the tropical system) and Libra (autumn equinox, point 0° Libra). It is no coincidence that Aries and Libra are signs related to action/relation and beginnings — they are exact zodiacal balance points.

Equinoxes in spiritual traditions

Spring equinox (March 20-21): celebrated as Ostara in Wiccan and Germanic neo-pagan tradition (from where the modern English word Easter derives). Naw-Rúz in Persian tradition (Iranian New Year, still official date in Iran). The Christian Easter is calendarally calculated based on this equinox (first Sunday after the first full moon after the spring equinox). Mayans of Chichén Itzá built the pyramid of Kukulkan so that on the equinox the shadow of a serpent descends along the steps — millions of tourists today witness this spectacle.

Autumn equinox (September 22-23): celebrated as Mabon in modern Wicca (harvest festival, gratitude, balance). The Jewish New Year (Rosh Hashaná) is calendarally close. In Mesoamerican civilisations, the autumn equinox was also celebrated at Chichén Itzá and other temples. In China, the moon mid-autumn festival is celebrated near this date.

Living the equinoxes

Spring equinox: time of renewal, of new projects, of bringing fresh ideas to the world after winter introspection. Suggested rituals: light planting in pots (literal seeds and metaphorical), formulating intentions for the new cycle of light, deep clean of home and life ("spring cleaning"), starting projects long postponed. Element water (still cold but rising). Autumn equinox: time of gratitude and balance, harvesting the fruits of work and preparing for inner introspection of winter. Suggested rituals: gratitude list of what you have harvested in the year, beginning to "let go" what is no longer needed, internal balance, reading and reflection. Both equinoxes are excellent moments for ritual self-evaluation of life.