The Equinox Will Occur on March 20, 2023 (March 21 in the Eastern Half of the World)

How to harness the power of this special time of miracles

The equinox will occur on Monday, March 20 at 5:24 PM Eastern Daylight Time, which will be at 9:24 PM UTC. In the eastern half of the world, the equinox will occur on March 21. Use the World Time Buddy to convert to your time zone as necessary. This will be the spring (or vernal) equinox in the northern hemisphere, and the fall (or autumnal) equinox in the southern hemisphere. Since I live in the northern half of the world, I will mainly focus on the spring equinox in this article.

A Time of Rebirth and Renewal

All of creation reflects the play of duality, and nowhere is this more evident than in the equinoxes. At this time, the Sun and the Earth appear momentarily poised between two opposing forces, rajas and tamas, or light and dark. On the equinox, the planetary electromagnetic field is reset. This change affects all of us at the most sublime levels of our individual energy systems. In the days around the equinox, our emotional and physical health can be quite sensitive. We will need extra quiet, rest, and mindful self-care in order to protect our vitality and maintain good physical health and emotional equipoise.

My advice is even more important this year since we will also be in the waning Moon/Balsamic Moon phase of the month during the equinox period. During this cycle, which will occur from March 18 to 21, our life force is meant to be refueled and restored in preparation for the new phase ahead that will begin on the New Moon on March 21. This is a time when we should take a time out to rest, retreat, reflect, clear, and release. It is a time to maintain the status quo, to tune into the light within, and not to try and initiate new ventures.

Two Equinoxes: Fall in the Southern Hemisphere, and Spring in the Northern

The fall equinox in the southern hemisphere marks the point where the yearly cycle shifts away from outward ebullience and growth. This is the harvest time, and beginning of the turning-in season of the year… a time to reflect and let go.

YIN YANG Spring and Autumn Poster by Gloria Di Simone

In contrast, the spring equinox in the northern hemisphere celebrates rebirth as the solar cycle begins to expand. The days are growing longer and warmer, and all of nature is beginning to come back to life. During this time of seasonal transition, it’s important to follow a health balancing and strengthening routine such as what we can access through the healing traditions of Ayurveda and Chinese medicine.

Spring is an especially good time for detoxes (cleansing). However, I believe it’s important to listen to one’s own knowing as well as to the advice of complementary health practitioners to determine what is personally best to enhance balance and well-being in all seasons. There’s no “one size fits all” when it comes to wellness practices.

The Meaning of the Spring Equinox in the Persian Calendar

According to the Persian or Iranian Solar Hijri calendar, the vernal equinox marks the beginning of the New Year. This event, known as Nowruz (or Novruz, Nooruz, Navruz, Nevruz, or Nauryzis), is celebrated by various ethnic groups worldwide. It marks the time in the northern hemisphere when the seasonal wheel turns toward the light, after which daylight will gradually begin to dominate over darkness until the summer solstice on June 21. 

The Vedic Lunar New Year: the Day Lord Brahma Created the Universe

According to the Vedic lunar calendar, the New Year always occurs around the New Moon in Pisces, which falls in either March or April each year. In 2023, the Vedic Lunar New Year will occur on March 22, the day after the New Moon in Pisces on March 21, and a few days after the equinox. This is also called Gudi Padwa and Ugadi in certain regions of India.

References in the Brahma Purana and the Chaturvarga Chintamani of Hemadri state that Lord Brahma created the universe on the Vedic Lunar New Year, the day known as Chaitra Shukla Pratipada. This marks a very auspicious day for new beginnings in the Vedic calendar, at the same astrological point when Lord Brahma created the universe. It is also important as it marks the first of Nine Nights of Mother Divine. This is the Chaitra Navaratri festival of the Vedic tradition when Devi Durga comes down among her devotees to bring healing and blessing.

The Spring Equinox and the Wicca Tradition

In the Wicca tradition, the spring equinox is one of the eight pagan holy days known as called Ostara. The word Ostara comes from the Anglo-Saxon goddess name Eostre, the ancient goddess of spring and new beginnings.

A Time of Miracles: How to Harness the Power of the Spring Equinox 

Spring is considered a time of miracles when life is coming into full bloom and our own psychic power expands its capacity for meaningful and abundant growth. By aligning with the immense creative and spiritual potential generated around the equinox, we can use this period to meditate on what we want to create more of in our own lives in the coming six months between now and the next equinox.

My recommendations to assist in aligning with the equinox and the Vedic Lunar New Year are simple:

• Let go of the past and all preconceived notions about what “should” be and ask your Higher Self to show the way to your most joyful and abundant creative path.

• Truly take time and create space for listening within to know which direction to take.

• Observe the signs that will be shown in your outer environment and in your dreams and reflections.

• Trust your inner knowing to guide the way.

I wish you a blessed equinox and bright new season ahead!

Prayer to Eostre (© Galina Krasskova) 

I praise Eostre, Goddess of the Dawn;
rising mighty in the east, You bless us.
I praise Eostre, Goddess of the fertile fields.
With victory and fruitful luck, You nourish us.
I praise Eostre, Goddess of new beginnings.
With strength and resilience, You fortify us.
Shine Your light upon us, Holy Goddess.
Make our words and deeds mighty in Your eyes.
Replenish us daily with Your light.

We hail You, Gracious Goddess of the dawn.
We hail You, Eostre, after whom Spring itself is named.
Please, make us fruitful. Hail. 

Equinox Painting by Silvia Pavlova, Bulgaria