When Is the Spring Equinox 2024?
Updated by Lindsay Mattison
The Earth is full of wonder and amazement. If you look closely, you’ll find that, everyday, nature truly does provide a bit o’magick ! The spring equinox is one such incredible event when the Earth’s axis is tilted neither towards nor away from the sun. Instead, the sun’s rays are directly over the equator, creating an equal amount of daylight and nighttime on this very special day.
The spring equinox has religious and cultural significance around the world. In Christian traditions, this date is associated with the Easter holiday, which takes place on the first full moon after the spring equinox and celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. In Wiccan traditions, this is the time to celebrate rebirth, both in nature and in one’s own home. The return to longer days represents a time to honor the goddess Eostre.
However you celebrate the spring equinox, remember that the day is ripe for revelry and joy. Look at it as a time of change, of renewal, and of rebirth that comes with the lengthening of the days. If you open your experience to the spring equinox, you may find that new beginnings are in store for you.
What is the spring equinox?
The equinox marks the time and date when the Earth’s axis is tilted in such a way that it creates an almost equal amount of daylight and darkness across the world. The word “equinox” comes from the Latin aequus (meaning equal) and nox (meaning night). This occurs twice annually: once to mark the beginning of spring (the vernal equinox) and once to mark the beginning of fall (the autumnal equinox).
In 2023, the spring equinox takes place on Monday, March 20 at 5:24 p.m. EDT. This date is the vernal equinox in the Northern Hemisphere, marking the beginning of spring. In the Southern Hemisphere, this same event is called the autumnal equinox as it marks the beginning of fall. After the spring equinox, the sun migrates north in the Northern Hemisphere, and the Earth tilts towards the sun, extending the amount of sun you’ll see in a day until we reach the solstice in June.
What’s the difference between equinoxes and solstices?
While equinoxes take place in March and September, respectively, solstices take place in June and December. Together, these events form four fairly equal quarters that break up the calendar year. The main difference between the two is where the sun appears in the sky, which impacts how long the periods of daylight and darkness are during these periods.
The equinoxes represent an equal amount of daylight and nighttime because the sun is directly above the equator. During a solstice, the sun is at its highest—or lowest—point in the sky. That means that the solstice takes place on a day of extreme light or darkness. On the solstice, the day is either the longest or shortest day of the year. It marks the turning point where the days get longer or shorter as we return back to the equinox’s equal length days.
How should I celebrate the spring equinox?
With the vernal equinox comes the first day of spring, so it’s time to celebrate by planting new seeds, both literally and metaphorically. The arrival of warmer weather provides an opportunity to shed any layers from winter that no longer serve us and work on new growth.
In pagan tradition, the wheel of the year is the basis for holidays and the spring equinox is a holiday called Ostara. This day is named after Eostre, the goddess of fertility, spring, and new beginnings. Celebrate the holiday by performing a little spring cleaning, opening the windows, and letting the fresh spring air in. Sweep out the stagnancy of winter and breathe new life into your habitation, as well as your body and soul. Many also celebrate this holiday by decorating eggs , symbolizing the fertility of spring and planting intentions of growth for the year.
If you find the pagan traditions interesting, read up on how to get started as a modern witch . From there, decide which holidays you’d like to observe. In addition to Ostera and the spring equinox, there are some fantastic summer solstice rituals to celebrate the longest day of the year .
