The March equinox pagan in 2023 is an event that marks the beginning of spring in the northern hemisphere. This celestial occurrence holds significance in many pagan and ancient spiritual traditions. It is a time when the length of day and night are equal, symbolizing balance and harmony. Pagan communities around the world celebrate the March equinox as a time of renewal, growth, and fertility. It is a time to honor and connect with nature, as the Earth awakens from its winter slumber. Many rituals and ceremonies are performed to welcome the new season and harness its energy for personal and collective transformation.
The Spring Equinox (or Vernal Equinox) is an astronomical event that happens once a year and marks the event when the day's period of sunlight has lengthened enough to be exactly 12 hours long. It occurs between 19~22 March each year in the northern hemisphere. In many Western cultures, this starts the beginning of Spring. This year, the spring equinox falls on Monday, 20 March.
At the famed British site Stonehenge, as many as 1,000 druids and pagans still gather annually on the spring equinox to watch dawn break over the prehistoric monument. It happens every March 20 or 21, signaling the return of sunshine, warmer temperatures, blooming flowers, and birds, bees, and butterflies in the Northern Hemisphere.
Many rituals and ceremonies are performed to welcome the new season and harness its energy for personal and collective transformation. The March equinox pagan celebrations often involve activities such as bonfires, dance, music, and feasting. People come together to express gratitude for the abundance of the Earth, and to set intentions for the months ahead.
What Exactly Is the Spring Equinox 2023?
It happens every March 20 or 21, signaling the return of sunshine, warmer temperatures, blooming flowers, and birds, bees, and butterflies in the Northern Hemisphere. Or, for those Down Under, it heralds autumn’s arrival. But what exactly is the spring equinox?
Is it an astronomical event? A holiday once marked by the ancients? Actually, it's both. And don't let the name fool you—just because those above the equator call it the spring equinox, that doesn’t mean it jibes with the meteorological start of the season. The latter is not based on celestial occurrences, but instead the annual temperature cycle and the 12-month calendar. This year, it fell on March 1.
SiberianArt // Getty ImagesBecause our planet is tilted on an axis, as it orbits the sun the hemispheres essentially swap periods when they receive solar light and heat most directly. The spring equinox, which takes place this year on March 20 at 5:24 P.M. EDT, marks the point in time when the sun sits directly over the Earth’s equator as it heads northward. Both hemispheres share the sun’s rays equally at the equinox, and night and day are roughly the same length. In fact, the term equinox evolved from aequus, the Latin word meaning equal, and nox, the word for night.
Along with the September equinox, known to those in the Northern Hemisphere as the autumnal equinox, the solstices also designate the start of new seasons. Occurring around the 21st in June and December, they mark the longest and shortest days of the year based on sunlight, and are reversed above and below the equator, like the equinoxes. Early civilizations found the spring equinox and these other heavenly happenings a reliable way to keep track of the seasons, and many of today’s cultures continue to pay tribute to them just as their ancestors did.
Chris Clor // Getty ImagesAt the famed British site Stonehenge, as many as 1,000 druids and pagans still gather annually on the spring equinox to watch dawn break over the prehistoric monument. At Mexico’s El Castillo, among the Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza, even more assemble on the same date to see the sun make shadows that look like a snake slithering down the pyramid steps. And the Persian New Year, known as Nowruz, is still observed by millions on the spring equinox.
It seems that while humanity now boasts modern calendars to keep track of our seasons in the sun, where our planet spins in relation to that big, bright star in the sky remains a method worth recalling.
Jill Gleeson is a travel journalist and memoirist based in the Appalachian Mountains of western Pennsylvania who has written for websites and publications including Good Housekeeping, Woman’s Day, Country Living, Washingtonian, Gothamist, Canadian Traveller, and EDGE Media Network. Jill is the travel editor for Enchanted Living. Learn more about her journey at gleesonreboots.com.
Welcome to the latest sabbat informational post! Throughout the year, we will be posting up these threads to share general information about the next upcoming sabbat so WvP's witches, new and old, can prepare for the holiday. These posts will contain basic information about the holiday and open up the floor for further questions or discussion.
It is a time to release old patterns and embrace new possibilities, as the energy of the equinox supports change and growth. In addition to its spiritual significance, the March equinox pagan also has astronomical importance. It marks the moment when the sun crosses the celestial equator, resulting in equal lengths of day and night. This event occurs twice a year, once in March and again in September, and is a reminder of the cyclical nature of the universe. Whether through ancient rituals or scientific observation, the March equinox pagan in 2023 offers an opportunity to connect with the rhythms of nature and find balance within ourselves. It is a time to celebrate the arrival of spring, embrace new beginnings, and honor the interconnectedness of all life on Earth..
Reviews for "Harnessing the Power of the Equinox: Pagan Traditions for the March Equinox in 2023"
- Sarah - 1 star - I was really disappointed with March equinox pagan 2023. The event was advertised as a unique and mystical experience, but it turned out to be nothing more than a small gathering in a local park. The organizers didn't seem to put much effort into planning or decorating the space, and the activities that were supposed to be part of the celebration were unimaginative and lackluster. Overall, I left feeling underwhelmed and regretful for wasting my time and money on this event.
- John - 2 stars - March equinox pagan 2023 was an interesting concept, but it fell short of my expectations. The event had a promising theme and potential for a captivating atmosphere, but it ended up being disorganized and chaotic. The schedule was not followed properly, causing confusion and frustration among attendees. Additionally, the venue was not well-suited for the event, and there were not enough seating and amenities for the number of people who attended. It's a shame because with better planning and execution, this could have been a memorable experience.
- Emily - 2.5 stars - I wasn't too impressed with March equinox pagan 2023. The event had a promising lineup of workshops and performances, but the execution left much to be desired. Many of the sessions were poorly organized, lacking structure and clear direction. The facilitators seemed unprepared and were not able to effectively engage the audience. Moreover, the timing of the workshops overlapped, making it difficult to attend all the sessions of interest. Overall, I left feeling that the event had potential, but it was not well-executed, leaving me slightly disappointed.