The Spring Equinox, also known as the Vernal Equinox, is an important event celebrated by many pagan cultures. It marks the beginning of spring and is a time when the day and night are of equal length. This astronomical event holds great significance for pagans, who view it as a time of renewal, rebirth, and balance. During the Spring Equinox, pagans gather to celebrate the return of the sun and the emergence of new life. They honor the fertility of the Earth and the awakening of nature after the long winter. Many pagan traditions and rituals focus on these themes, incorporating symbols of growth and fertility.
—Tony Dunbar, author of Crooked Man and the Tubby Dubonnet mystery series
Corina s efforts in the healing work of the body and soul becomes a meditation on American marketplace culture, where even emotional well being can be turned into a commodity. Jude Lamb of Light Botanica, which caters to the eclectic religious and spiritual needs of New Orleans, is threatened by her Cuban ex-lover and mentor Elroy Delgago s plans to open a K-mart-like Superbotanica nearby.
Many pagan traditions and rituals focus on these themes, incorporating symbols of growth and fertility. One common practice during the Spring Equinox is to perform rituals in nature, such as planting seeds or creating flower wreaths. These activities symbolize the start of the agricultural season and the growth of plants and crops.
Corina Grant
Just when you thought Judge of the Week was gone, its not! This week we feature Corina Grant, a level 2 judge from California, America. She started playing Magic with her father when she was very young. Corina says:
“I distinctly remember buying Onslaught packs. We used many of my dad’s old cards for deck building including dual lands. I had absolutely no idea of their value, and neither did he, which is a shame! I had a play set of Tundras. I found one of them recently, but I did not take very good care of it as an 8-year old. I quit playing around Kamigawa, because I really disliked the set. When I came back from college last year, a little after the release of Rise of the Eldrazi, I jumped back into Magic with my friends and really got into judging shortly after.”
Corina says that she got into judging because of her love for rules interactions, more so even than playing the game, andshe has been like that her whole life. She loves to understand how and why things work, and judging seemed a natural progression. When talking about her most memorable judging experience she says:
“My most memorable experience is probably testing for L2 in Kansas City. I barely missed, and I was heartbroken. But my friends were completely there for me, and were actually able to make me feel good about it. The judge community is amazing; I have never had such a supportive group of friends.”
Favourite Magic format?
Constructed. Any Constructed! I just love control. Draw-go control, even. EDH is great, but it seems more like who can find the silliest or coolest interaction and win with it, while Constructed really tests skill. EDH is just too slow.
Favourite Magic storyline character?
Oh.. Yawgmoth? Possibly Rebbec. I absolutely loved the Magic books when I was a kid, and The Thran is one I’ve read probably 10+ times. I was a nerdy little kid.. and the book is very well written. Yawgmoth is obviously evil, but he is pretty interesting.
Favourite Magic Card?
Tooth and Nail. Without question. Time Stretch is a close second. EDH has definitely tainted my opinion of cards.
What do you do outside of judging?
I’m a full time student. In my free time I work at a card shop and play Magic with my friends! My life is pretty over-saturated with Magic. I also play many video games, I’m playing through Disgaea DS right now.
Describe your Magic community.
My Magic community is great. It’s not huge, but we have a pretty solid group of people that show up all the time. It’s very laid back for the most part, but there are definitely some players that take things more seriously and care about competitive play.
If you could play any one game with any one real person – living or dead – what and who would it be?
I’d play Magic with Babe Ruth! Actually I’d play anything with Babe Ruth (except baseball, that would be downright embarrassing). I would love to meet him, I’d be pretty happy to do whatever he wanted for the chance to talk to him for a little while.
Name one planeswalker that you would want to have while stranded on a desert island.
They all seem pretty crazy to me.. I’d probably pick Venser, Shaper Savant. Pre-death, obviously. He seems like an all around nice guy, which isn’t something I can say for most of the planeswalkers. He also seems the least crazy.
Reader Challenge – Two Truths and a Lie
Two of the following are true and one is false! Work it out!
1. I have four grandmothers.
2. I chose my middle name after Sabrina the Teenage Witch.
3. Our 3 cats are named Chachi, Joanie, and Fonzie.
(Highlight the blank space between the brackets to see the answer.)
The false statement is [ #2! Corina chose her middle name after Sabrina, the Pokemon Gym Leader!. ]
There is a lot to love about Rugby League, but this is very special.
Pagans may also engage in meditative practices to connect with the energy of the Earth and to set intentions for the coming year. Another important aspect of pagan Spring Equinox celebrations is the worship of deities associated with fertility and rebirth. In various pagan traditions, gods and goddesses such as Ostara, Freya, and Eostre are honored during this time. Offerings may be made to these deities as a way of expressing gratitude for the abundance and new beginnings that spring brings. In some pagan communities, the Spring Equinox is also celebrated with bonfires and feasts. These gatherings provide an opportunity for pagans to come together, share food, and participate in communal rituals. Fire is often seen as a purifying and transformative element, and its presence during these celebrations adds to the symbolism of renewal and rebirth. In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in pagan traditions, and many people who identify as pagan choose to observe the Spring Equinox. This can take various forms, from participating in organized rituals and gatherings to practicing personal rituals at home. Overall, the Spring Equinox holds great spiritual and symbolic significance for pagans. It is a time to celebrate the return of light and the awakening of nature, as well as to honor the cycles of the Earth and the eternal cycle of life, death, and rebirth..
Reviews for "Embracing the Balance of Day and Night: Pagan Rituals for the Equinox"
1. Jane - 1 out of 5 stars - I was really looking forward to the Spring Splostice Pagan festival, but I was extremely disappointed. The event was poorly organized and lacked any real structure. There was no clear schedule or listed activities, so it was confusing to figure out what was happening at any given time. Additionally, the vendors were limited and the food options were subpar. Overall, it was a wasted day and I would not recommend attending this festival.
2. Mark - 2 out of 5 stars - The Spring Splostice Pagan festival had potential, but fell short of expectations. The live performances were inconsistent and the sound quality was poor, making it difficult to enjoy the music. The atmosphere was also lacking, with a small crowd and limited decorations. Furthermore, the event seemed disorganized, with delays and changes in the program that left attendees confused. While some aspects of the festival were enjoyable, the overall experience left a lot to be desired.
3. Sarah - 2 out of 5 stars - I was excited to attend the Spring Splostice Pagan festival, but it was underwhelming. The main issue was the lack of variety in activities and workshops. There were only a few workshops available, and they were not well-planned or engaging. The overall atmosphere also felt uninspiring and there was a lack of energy from both the performers and the attendees. I had hoped for a more vibrant and immersive pagan experience, but unfortunately, this festival missed the mark.