Welcoming the Dawn - Embracing the Power of the Spring Equinox
- matt jones
- Mar 20
- 4 min read
Updated: Mar 20
There’s something in the air right now, can you feel it? A shift, a stirring, that unmistakable energy of renewal. As we move towards March 20th, we’re stepping into a moment of perfect equilibrium - the Spring Equinox. Day and night stand in complete balance, a powerful cosmic reset that many cultures recognize as the true beginning of the year.
This isn't just another seasonal change. It’s a portal. A doorway into transformation, rebirth, and new possibilities. And if you’re feeling called to honour this time in a deeper way, I’ve got something special for you - including a despacho ceremony that I’d love for you to be part of!
What Is the Equinox, Really?
The word equinox comes from Latin—aequus meaning "equal" and nox meaning "night". But the meaning goes way beyond the name. This is the moment when the Sun crosses directly over Earth’s equator, making day and night nearly equal all over the world.
It happens twice a year—once in March and again in September. This year, the exact moment of the Spring Equinox is March 20th at 09:02. What’s really wild? If you step outside at sunrise or sunset on this day, the Sun will rise exactly due east and set exactly due west.
Ancient cultures knew this long before modern astronomy - marking the equinox with temples, ceremonies, and celebrations. And when you really tune into it, there’s something deeply grounding about this day. A moment of pure balance, reminding us that everything in life has its cycles.
Secrets of the Equinox
Why the Equinox Feels Like the Real New Year
Ever felt like January 1st is a weird time for “new year, new me” energy? In the Northern Hemisphere, it’s the dead of winter. The trees are bare, the nights are long, and nature is still in hibernation.
But the Spring Equinox? This is when life truly begins again.
For many ancient cultures - including the Persians, Celts, and Indigenous Andean peoples - this was the start of the new year. Even in 45 BC, when Julius Caesar created the Julian calendar, March 25 was originally set as the first day of the year.
And it makes sense, right? This is when the Earth wakes up. Buds burst open, animals come out of hiding, and the air hums with fresh energy. The Equinox invites us to do the same - to shake off the old, plant new seeds (literally or metaphorically), and embrace the fresh start nature is offering us.
Ways to Honour the Spring Equinox
You don’t need an elaborate ritual to celebrate this turning point - just being present and mindful of the shift can be powerful. But if you’re feeling called to connect with the energy of renewal, here are a few ways to do it:
🌿 Connect with Nature - Step outside and just be with the season. Whether it’s a walk through the woods, meditating by a river, or simply grounding barefoot on the earth, let nature’s rhythm guide you.
🔥 Fire or Candle Ceremony - Light a candle (or better yet, have a fire ceremony) and reflect on what you’re leaving behind in the darker months. What are you stepping into with this new season?
🌸 Create a Sacred Space - Set up a small altar with fresh flowers, seeds, or symbols of balance to honour the changing season.
💨 Cleanse & Refresh (Spring Clean) - Spring cleaning isn’t just about tidying up—it’s an energetic practice too. Open the windows, burn sage or palo santo, take a salt bath, and clear out anything that feels stagnant.
🌱 Plant Seeds (Literally & Figuratively) - Whether you’re starting a garden, writing down your intentions, or taking the first step towards a new goal, use this time to set things in motion.
Join Our Special Despacho Ceremony!
One of the most beautiful ways to honour this moment is with an Ayni Despacho Ceremony - an Andean tradition that creates a sacred offering for balance, gratitude, and renewal.
A despacho is a beautiful, intentional ritual where we gather symbolic elements - flowers, seeds, herb and weave them into an offering for Pachamama (Mother Earth). It’s an act of reciprocity, a way of saying thank you to the land and aligning ourselves with the natural flow of life.
In this ceremony, we’ll set our intentions, release what no longer serves us, and invite in fresh energy for the new cycle ahead. If you’ve never taken part in a despacho before, trust me - it’s an experience you’ll never forget.
Finding Balance in a Chaotic World
What I love most about the Equinox is that it reminds us - balance is natural. It’s built into the very fabric of existence.
In our fast-paced world, we’re always being pulled in a thousand directions. But just like the Sun stands in perfect alignment with the Earth on this day, we too can take a moment to pause, breathe, and check in with ourselves.
Ask yourself:
🔹 Where do I need more balance?
🔹 What parts of my life need more light
🔹 What do I need to let go of, to make space for new growth?
Embrace the Green Fire of Spring
As the Earth leans toward the Sun, and new life begins to unfurl all around us, this is our invitation to do the same. I call this energy the green fire - that unstoppable force of renewal, growth, and transformation that pulses through the land and through us.
The Equinox isn’t just an astronomical event. It’s a reminder that we are cyclical beings - always evolving, shedding, growing, and stepping into new versions of ourselves.
So whether you join our despacho, tune into the video, or simply step outside to soak in the equal light and dark, I hope you take a moment to honour this powerful shift.
How will you be celebrating the Spring Equinox this year? Drop your traditions, rituals, or thoughts in the comments - I’d love to hear!
Sending Love
Matt
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