Spring has sprung ๐ทโจ
What is the Spring Equinox?
The spring equinox, or Ostara, occurs halfway between the winter and summer solstice. It marks the moment when day and night are of equal length, symbolizing the transition from winter to spring in the Earth’s annual orbit around the Sun. The word equinox is derived from the Latin words “equi” and “nocti,” to mean “the time of equal days and nights”. This means there will be 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness during the spring equinox.
When is the Spring Equinox?
The spring equinox typically takes place on March 20th or 21st; however, this year, it is on March 19th. Thanks, Leap Year! According to Almanac.com, March 19th at 11:06 p.m. EDT marks when the Sun sits directly over the Earth’s equator as it heads northward. The Northern and Southern Hemispheres share the Sun’s rays equally at the equinox, and night and day are roughly the same length.
Spring Equinox Myths
Standing on an Egg
Legend has it that during the spring equinox, you can balance on an egg upright, thanks to the Earth’s position relative to the Sun. This myth is founded on the idea that the gravitational pull is equalized since the Sun and the Moon are on opposite sides of the Earth. A similar legend blew up on Tiktok in 2020, with a broom being balanced uprights (which may be a little less messy)!
Zero Shadow Day
It is rumored that at exactly noon on the day of the spring equinox, your shadow disappears, and technically, this myth is true. It’s all about being in the right place at the right time. People in Bengaluru experience this unique phenomenon twice a year and have coined it Zero Shadow Day. According to the Astronomical Society of India, the Sun is rarely exactly overhead at noon. Still, people living within certain regions will briefly experience zero shadows cast on the ground during the equinox.
Spring Equinox Traditions
Enjoy Nature
It’s time to stop and smell the roses! Enjoy the fresh air and go for a walk. Try to spot spring flowers blooming and bask in the sunshine. If you’re looking for an activity, we suggest a scavenger hunt to look for the signs of spring.
Start a Garden
With spring coming into bloom, now is the time to start planning your garden. Pick up some seeds or a new planter box, and prepare for your garden to flourish in just a few weeks!
Curb Those Cravings
Is there a food you’ve been craving that only pops up around spring? Grab some of your favorite snacks that are officially in season and dare to try out a new recipe, or sip on a mocktail while you enjoy the sun.
Set Spring Intentions
Springtime means spring cleaning, and that’s more than physical. Take some time on the equinox to reflect on what you want to accomplish this year, and cleanse out anything stopping you! If you want advice on where to start, check out our Spring Cleaning and Cleansing with Spencer’s blog!
Bring Spring Home
There’s nothing quite like a fresh bouquet of flowers or refreshing your home with essential oils. Crack open your favorite oils and plug in the diffuser to welcome the fresh scents of spring.
However you decide to celebrate, we wish you a bright and relaxing spring equinox! To learn more about other seasonal shifts or to keep up on spring cleaning, check out The Inspo Spot.