There comes a moment in the wheel of the year when the earth stands in perfect balance—day and night equal, light and dark in harmony. This is the Spring Equinox, a celestial event that has been honoured for millenia across civilisations, marking the rebirth of the land, the renewal of life, and the return of warmth after the long embrace of winter.
From the ancient Vedic celebrations of Vasant Navratri, honouring Goddess Durga, to the Persian Nowruz, the Zoroastrian New Year heralding a time of new beginnings, to the pagan festivals of Ostara, where eggs, hares and the renewal of life were sacred symbols—the Equinox has been a time of profound reverence, a threshold between the slumber of winter and the awakening of spring.
The Return of Light: A Celebration Across Cultures
Long before modern calendars, our ancestors attuned themselves to the rhythms of the earth, measuring time by the movement of the sun and stars. The Equinox—where the sun crosses the celestial equator—marked a turning point in their agricultural and spiritual lives.
- In India, Vasanth Navratri, a festival dedicated to the Divine Mother, spans nine days, culminating in Ram Navami, celebrating the birth of Lord Rama. It is a time of fasting, prayer and renewal, with temples adorned with fresh blossoms and devotees invoking the power of Shakti (Primordial Energy).
- In Persia, Nowruz(literally meaning: “New Day”) heralds the Zoroastrian New Year, a tradition over 3000 years old. Families prepare Haft-Seen, a table set with seven sacred symbols of life, renewal and prosperity—including wheatgrass for rebirth, apples for beauty, and vinegar for patience. The festivities end with the fire-jumping ritual, a symbolic cleansing of the past.
- Among the Celts and Germanic tribes, Ostara, names after the Germanic goddess Eostre, honoured the renewal of life, the fertility of the land and the triumph of light over darkness. Hares and eggs—symbols of fertility—were sacred to her, later finding their way into modern Easter traditions.
- The ancient Sumerians and Canaanites, worshipped Inanna, Astarte and Asherah, goddesses of fertility, love and war, who represented the cyclical nature of life, death and rebirth. Their myths, echoing the seasonal shifts, often told into their descent into the underworld and triumphant return—a mirror of the Earth’s own renewal each spring.
The Divine Feminine and the Awakening Earth
Across cultures, the Spring Equinox has been deeply tied to the sacred feminine—the nurturing, life-giving force of the universe. From Saraswati, the goddess of wisdom, to Ostara, the dawn-bringer, to Cybele, the great mother of Anatolia, spring has always been a time to honour the fertile, regenerative power of the earth and the goddesses who embody it.
In ancient traditions, the first milk of spring was offered to the goddesses, and feasts celebrated the fresh bounty of the season—young greens, dairy, honey, eggs and seeds. These were not just foods but symbols—each carrying the essence of fertility, growth and abundance.
Spring’s Bounty: A Time to nourish and Celebrate
As the earth awakens, so too does the table. Across cultures, equinox feasts have always been centered on seasonal ingredients—tender greens, fresh dairy, fragrant herbs, and young sprouts—all embodying renewal and growth.
- In the Indian subcontinent, fresh herbs, jaggery and milk-based offerings are prepared in honour of the goddess. In the Himalayan regions, young nettles and foraged greens find their way into simple, nourishing dishes.
- In Persia, Sabzi Polo (herbed rice) is eaten, a dish bursting with fresh herbs, symbolizing renewal and prosperity
- In Pre-Christian Europe, milk, eggs, and honey played a central role in Equinox feasts, with breads baked in the shape of sun discs, celebrating the return of warmth
This is the time to embrace the foods of spring—light, fresh, vibrant. To gather, to plant, to welcome warmth.
Welcoming Spring: Rituals for the Equinox
Even today, as we live in a fast-paced world, the wisdom of the ancients still whispers to us. The Equinox is a time to pause, reflect, and align ourselves with the shifting seasons.
Ways to honour the Spring Equinox:
Set a seasonal altar—fresh flowers, candles, symbols of renewal like eggs, seeds or honey
Light a candles at dawn or sunset—marking the balance of light and dark.
Cook a meal with fresh seasonal produce—celebrating nature’s abundance.
Plant something—seeds, herbs—let them grow with the season.
Take a moment to reflect on personal renewal—what are you shedding from winter? What do you wish to grow?
As the Earth Awakens, So Do We
The Spring Equinox is more than just a date on a calendar—it is a reminder of balance, of light emerging from darkness, of the cyclical nature of life. It is an ancient call to awaken, to celebrate, and to embrace the return of warmth, colour and life.
So, as the days grow longer and the scent of spring fills the air, let us honour the wisdom of the past, nurture the earth beneath our feet, and welcome the renewal that this season brings.
