Ep. 17 In Preparation for the 2025 Spring Equinox

Read me tonight if you want to wake up with the sun

So, March, 20th 2025 is the Spring Vernal Equinox. Here’s a bit of lesson-y-lesson for you. I know you know, but ya know… let’s just chat about it.

The Spring Vernal Equinox is when the Earth in the Northern hemisphere emerges out of it’s winter and we have equal amounts of light and darkness (vice versa for the Southern Hemisphere). I happened to think that ‘vernal’ itself meant Spring, but nope. It’s the Spring Vernal and the Autumn Vernal equinox’s. It simply indicates the changing of the seasons. This event occurs as the sun is exactly above and below the Earth’s equator. Resulting in 12 hours of sunlight across the globe. This as we know, has been observed, celebrated and ceremonialized for thousands of years. It is one of the 4 major astrological seasonal events of our calendar year.

Note: not to be confused with the solstices, which are the shortest and longest day of the year because of the Earth’s tilt, winter and summer of course. We’ll get to those on the next round of amazing events in astronomy.

Meanwhile, I can barley figure out which side of the garden to plant my lettuce, what diseases my tomato plant leaves might have, and which (and why) do I have slugs or grubs. I know probably 3 planets when looking at the sky, but only because I’ve looked at the NightSky app so many times, that I can identify. I can find a handful of constellations, but each time I look at the sky it feels like a brand new version of something I wish was as familiar as my regular coffee order. And there are stones and monuments and temples and natural wonders that capture this exact date, time & moment… every year, twice a year for millennia.

Mexico

The largest Mayan temple in the pre-Columbian city of Chichén Itzá, El Castillo, is known for a shadow slithering along the edge of one set of stairs during the spring equinox, creating the illusion of a snake

United Kingdom

The sarsen stones at the center of the site are carefully aligned with the movements of the sun, and access to Stonehenge is often opened up to the public for free during the spring equinox.

Cambodia

On the spring equinox, the sun rises exactly on the central peak of the temple in Cambodia called Angkor Wat.

Malta

The Mnajdra Temple complex catches the first rays of the rising sun illuminating the central passage in the South building of the site, as they have done for over 5000 years. This millenia-old phenomenon takes place thanks to the astounding engineering feat of its builders, who skillfully aligned it with the rising sun at the start of the seasons which, for an agrarian community, were probably important milestones in the annual calendar.

Italy

The Basilica of San Petronio in Bologna (1655), Italy, features Cassini's Meridian Line, a long brass and copper rail in the floor, where a ray of sunlight through a ceiling hole marks the equinoxes and solstices, with the spring equinox marking a specific point on the line

Not sure about you, but I’m inspired to do a bit of honoring of the event, do a bit of refresh and a bit of ritual. Perché no?

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Here’s some rituals & maybe even just a general mindset you might consider as we witness the universe doing it’s own magic and find reason as those did before us, to celebrate.

Because we could all use a bit of it, yea?

Dawn Awakening: Sunrise Meditation

Wake up 30 minutes before sunrise (which, FYI is at 6:51 on San Diego’s latitude, so set your alarms loves) and find a quiet spot facing east. As the sun's first rays appear, close your eyes and focus on your breath, feeling the warmth of the sun as a symbol of hope and renewal. Visualize the darkness of winter fading, replaced by the vibrant energy of spring, while shedding negativity and stagnation, just as the Earth is doing. Repeat a mantra like, "I awaken with the sun, renewed and ready for growth and transformation." Be mindful as the sun rises higher, taking in the golden light, breathing deeply to feel refreshed. Or don’t and just enjoy being awake early to intentionally set your day.

Earth Grounding

Barefoot grounding is a mindful practice where you remove your shoes and socks to connect your bare feet with the earth. Walking slowly and attentively, you focus on the texture, temperature, and unevenness of the ground beneath you. Visualize your energy grounding into the Earth, drawing strength and stability from its core. By imagining roots growing from your feet, you anchor yourself to the Earth, fostering a deep sense of connection and stability with the natural world. Every time I do this, I’m reminded of how much I don’t walk barefoot enough.

Cleanse Your Space

Smoke Cleansing: I for one, love this & am planning to smudge my whole house, starting at the front door. You can light incense or burn a bundle of dried herbs such as sage, rosemary, cedar, or ‘the Google’ says mugwort. I personally don’t know where you’re finding mugwort other than Diagon Alley, but hey, best of luck to you. You can choose plants that you have grown yourself or that grow abundantly wild nearby, or literally… a store that you know is consciously selling such items. As I’m sage-ing, I like to thank my home for keeping me safe and re-introduce myself to my space with a mental openness. A dear Native friend of mine once shared with me that sage is for clearing and cleansing the energy and if you have, Palo Santo is for invoking positive vibrations after sage clearing.

Physical Cleaning: open up all the windows and let in fresh air. Dusting, vacuum, sweep and cleanse + refresh. Wipe down surfaces, you know - literally spring cleaning.

Salt: is a common element used for purification and protection in many different cultures. If you’re into it, you can sprinkle salt along doorways and windowsills to protect them from negative energy entering or just keep a small bowl of salt on your altar if you’ve got that whole situation going on.

Cleanse & clear out and releasing negative energy from your space, as well as energy that’s just old, stale, stagnant, or no longer serving you.

Planting Seeds

Sure, this is typically physical, but it could be mental too if you don’t have a space or garden or appropriate windowsill, etc. The planting symbolizes a commitment to growth and renewal. As you plant your seeds in your mind or in soil, you can set an intention or wish for the upcoming season. As you tend to your plants as they grow, it can serve as a reminder of the natural cycles of growth and rebirth. Remembering to water and feed your seeds both in your physical garden and your mental garden. A reminder that patience in all it’s forms is a gift.

“The day that you plant the seed is not the day that you reap the harvest”.

There’s so many more rituals out there. I think it’s fascinating how humans have found connection with the Earth and planets around them for centuries. Sometimes everything around us is pulling us away further and further from ourselves and it feels like a literal blackhole-level-suction just to come back to our center. So I’m consciously, tirelessly, continually… going to keep trying. Keep shining.

Anyway, just some thoughts for you all. Love you the most.

Cheers & Happy Spring.

Justine xoxox

P.S. We’ll be back to our regularly scheduled programing next episode. Stay tuned :)