Marking Spring Equinox
Celebrating spring, meditation, journal prompts, rituals & more!
Hello, I’m Jodie. A Yoga teacher & creator. I write about my quest to live a slower pace of life post hustle culture with themes of rest and seasonal living. Subscribe to support my work & to read more. Or, get cosy and join our Slower Space community to access all content including meditations and the journaling club!
Anyone else feel like this winter has had a certain depth to it that makes the arrival of spring feel even more magic?
I’m writing this at 38 weeks pregnant, so this year the emergence into spring is also my arrival into motherhood. New life and transformation in so many ways!
Spring has always been my favourite season. Before I even understood the concept of seasonal living I felt this sense of awe and wonder at the world coming back to life again.
The relief post winter to finally have the longer, warmer days!
I find it easier to romanticise the season and spot the joys of spring. The lambs in the fields, bulbs coming to bloom, birds singing, days stretching longer, and that glorious morning when you realise you’ve been woken up naturally by the light streaming into your bedroom - which has already been a joy this March.
It’s a season I want to mark and celebrate, and I thought I’d share a few ways I’m doing that this year, and how you can do the same too!
Spring equinox (Ostara, in the Wheel of the Year)
Meteorologically speaking, spring actually began on the 1st of March, astronomically (which I follow more closely) brings us the start of spring (Spring Equinox) on the 20th of March. This is the point when the night and day are equal lengths before the days begin to get longer, taking us right up to the autumn equinox on the 22nd of September.
We’re welcoming those longer days back in!
I love using the turn of a season as a marker, a moment in time to check in, reflect and think about my intentions as I move forward.
The general theme and buzz of spring is taking action. The longer, warmer days foster energy and a sense of optimism that makes the things that felt harder in winter possible. That slow sense of things coming back to life…
Rituals to mark Spring Equinox
There are so many ways you could mark and celebrate the equinox, even if it’s just putting a quick note in your calendar now and acknowledging the day! If you wanted to take it further, here’s a few ideas…
Observe the sunrise - this would mean wake up of around 6am if you’re in the UK
Journal on any new beginnings or areas you feel called to give more of your energy to (more journal prompts below if you’d like some pointers)
Create a vision board for how you want spring/ the rest of the year to look and feel - I love using Pinterest then Freeprints to create a physical board, or Canva for digital.
Go outside and spend some time feeling the sun on your skin, noticing any signs of spring and new life!
Sow a seed and plant it with an intention - I did this with sweet peas recently and it’s such a nice ritual!
Make a dinner using your favourite foods that are currently in season
Take your shoes off and get outside, feel the grass and earth under your feet! I did this the other day and didn’t realise how much I needed it.
Go wild garlic picking and make some seasonal recipes (here’s a few places you can forage for it)
Celebrate as a community/ collective! There’s some amazing events happening offline, but also online, here’s a few I’ve spotted…
- and are hosting a spring stretch and writing workshop.
Lunar & Wild have some gorgeous workshops and ceremonies available to join over the next few weeks.
Living seasonally with spring in mind
I’m not a routine person, I prefer the idea of leaning into rituals then making changes based on my cycle/ the season.
Seasonal living for me is about leaning into what feels good in that moment, knowing and accepting it’s likely to change month to month as we move through time. I really notice the pull to be outside more in spring, especially in the mornings where previously I’ve wanted to stay cocooned. It’s slowing down enough to spot these differences and allowing ourselves to make the shifts.
We’re all so different, so please see this very much as a “could do” list for spring 🌱 if it feels nourishing and wholesome to you too!
Sowing seeds - both physically and metaphorically
This will be my third year growing from seed and tubers and I can’t tell you how much joy it brings me. This year, apart from welcoming our tiny human and looking after him, my only other desire and intention is to grow and be in the garden (because I know how good it makes me feel). Here’s what I’m hoping to grow:
Tomatoes
Sweet peas
Potatoes
Basil
Rhubarb
Dahlias
Cosmos
I’m only doing my tomatoes and sweet peas from seed this year, but I’m excited to nurture the other plants and get those started in early May.
If you’re looking for growing inspiration, I love Deep Roots Substack and Chloe Plumstead on Instagram.
The spring clean
March for me is the month of the spring clean to get everything feeling fresh. There is no better feeling than opening the windows wide again and just make a day of it.
Over winter I really don’t use my energy to clear out and do any sort of big “reset”, so throughout March I’ll make a little list of jobs and slowly start ticking them off, here’s what’s on my list this year…
Dust and clean the skirting boards
Clean the sofa and wash cushion covers
Wash curtains and dust the blinds
Clean out the fridge
Clean out the freezer
Deep clean oven
Replace the shower liner
Creating a spring capsule wardrobe
Spring and autumn dressing is my favourite, but I think spring just about takes first place (I think it’s the dungarees and cardigan combo WITHOUT need for a coat). There’s something about finally being able to wear less layers that just feels incredible post winter.
Every year I seem to stick to the same staples, here’s a few things I gravitate towards as the weather gets warmer:
Linen trousers - I get most of mine from Vinted, but love Arket and Nobodys Child.
Dungarees - an absolute staple for me
Cardigans - adore Sezane cardgans all year round, but especially in spring
Well fitting t-shirts (I love Organic Basics for this)
Birkenstock bostons - a classic, when it’s dry ofc
I’ve shared the specifics of my spring capsule wardrobe in a recent vlog if you’re interested!