Spring Equinox – What it is, when it happens, rituals and symbols

Spring Equinox – What it is, when it happens, rituals and symbols

Spring equinox is the astronomical event that begins the Spring season, but it also carries a series of ancient symbolism and rituals.

Spring is certainly one of the most loved seasons of the year. Consequently, to celebrate its arrival there is the Spring Equinox. It was called the Ostara Rite by the Celts, and was considered a fertility ritual that celebrates the reawakening of life on Earth.

Firstly, this moment is celebrated between the 20th and 24th of September, when this season of the year begins in the southern hemisphere. In 2019, the season started at 4:50 am on September 23rd. Furthermore, this moment is considered to be one of perfect balance, in which the seeds must be planted so that life can flourish with intensity.

What is the Spring Equinox?

Initially, we need to understand the real meaning of the word Equinox. It comes from the Latin aequus (equal) and nox (night), and means “equal nights”. This is because day and night have the same length at this time: 12 hours. Consequently, there is a perfect balance between day and night, sun and moon, masculine and feminine, yin and yang and all opposing forces.

Furthermore, the equinox is defined as the instant when the Sun, in its orbit, as seen from Earth, crosses the celestial equator. The Spring Equinox, also known as the Vernal Point, is the moment when the Sun crosses the Equator from south to north.

It is from the Spring Equinox onwards that the days begin to get longer and the air and ocean temperatures become increasingly warmer. Symbolically, it is the perfect time to leave difficulties behind, along with winter. It is the time to sow joy and harmony with the arrival of spring. It is a time of balance, healing, hope and renewal.

In the Celtic wheel of life, there are 8 sacred rituals of light throughout the year. They are:

• Samhain (Witches’ Night)
• Litha (summer solstice)
• Imbolc (night of fire)
• Mabon (Autumn Equinox)
• Beltane (love ritual)
• Yule (winter solstice)
• Lammas (harvest and prosperity ritual)
• Ostara (spring equinox)

Ritual

Firstly, the Summer Equinox ritual invokes and reveres the Goddess Ostara, the “Goddess of Dawn”, also known as Eostre, Ostera and Jair. It symbolizes fertility in Anglo-Saxon, Norse, Celtic and Germanic mythology. she is also the Goddess of resurrection, fertility, rebirth and spring. It is closely linked to freedom and the flow of energy.

Furthermore, the best-known symbols of this deity are the hare and eggs. At this time of year, the Goddess of Plants and the Lord of the Forests are also revered.

The Ostara Rite symbolizes the balance between the energy of the God (Sun) and the Goddess (Moon). It is the perfect moment of equality between these two symbols, being the balance between the forces of nature. This indicates that it is the ideal time to strengthen the complementary energy between opposites.

In the Rite, the God is represented in his period of puberty, full of energy and very willing. This energy is translated into the growth of plants and the activity of animals. In contrast, the Goddess is represented in her maiden phase, also full of energy and life. It symbolizes the fertility of the soil.

Symbols

Firstly, this holy day has been celebrated by many generations. Priests and druids gathered dew and lit fires at sunrise. Such bonfires were lit high in the mountains, as it was believed that this way they would be more easily blessed by the sun and that the light created by them would make the land fertile.

Furthermore, the most classic symbols are flowers, milk, the hare and colored eggs. The latter are symbols of fertility and reproduction. The eggs were painted with various designs, colors and magical symbols, and were then placed on the celebratory altar. In the end, they were thrown into the fire or buried as offerings to the Goddess in trees or vases.

In contrast, milk represents the nutrition of the Goddess, the food necessary for the development of life. The hare or rabbit is the sacred animal that symbolizes the fertility of the Goddess and nature, as they take a period of 28 days to gestate and give birth. In Celtic culture, 28 is a magical number, because this is the length of the cycle of a lunation.

Finally, flowers represent the resurgence of life and the beauty of nature. On the Spring Equinox, it is recommended to pick flowers and decorate sacred spaces and altars with them. Furthermore, it is also customary to make offerings of bread and cake to the goddess, placing them on the altar and then in nature and making offerings to the elementals, giving thanks for the beauty of spring.

Ostara ritual

Annually, the Ostara Ritual works with specific energies active in each year. Within the energy that is being emanated in a given period, some magical customs and spells are more emphasized to access and integrate the energy of this ritual. Despite this, the light ritual always brings work with the awareness of fertility, joy, hope, renewal, harmony and balance.

Furthermore, the Ostara Rite needs to be guided by a high-ranking initiated priest or priestess. The priest is a spiritual leader who has the necessary training and knowledge to carry out the ritual correctly. Furthermore, a properly qualified leader is needed to know how to interpret and direct what should be worked on each year in this ritual.

If done correctly and integrated, this magical ritual brings great benefit to the individual, promoting profound renewal, consecration, healing and harmonization. It is a moment of deep contact with the Earth, with the beings of nature and with the power to fertilize and create life in all aspects and senses.

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Source: Personare

Featured image: M for Woman