As the first day of spring approaches and the weather warms up, you're sure to feel renewed. This has a lot to do with the sudden good mood of the weather and those around you, but it's also because there's a transformative energy about the Equinox.
The vernal equinox is when the sun is directly above the equator. "Like the Autumnal Equinox, this marks the time when day and night are of equal length," says astrologer Catherine Geddes. This is also the time when the Northern and Southern Hemispheres have the same amount of daylight.
Typically, the first day of spring is March 21 or 22, but since 2024 is a leap year, the first day of spring will be March 19 at 11:06 pm EST. Not only is it the beginning of a new season, March 19 is also the first day of the astrological year. It’s a double whammy of fresh vibes.
"The astrological new year begins with Aries season, the first sign in the zodiac," which can cause noticeable changes, says astrologer Babs Cheung. When Pisces season comes to an end, there's often a sense of calm or a sense that something is over, but thanks to this fiery sign, that vibe can quickly pick up again.
Here's everything you need to know about the first day of spring and how to celebrate it accordingly.
The Spiritual Meaning of the Vernal Equinox
If the Spring Equinox feels like a new beginning, that's because it is. "It represents a feeling of rebirth or renewal after a long, dark winter," Zhang said. "It's an energetic time for flowers to bloom, and it also brings all the excitement of Aries, a fire sign ruled by Mars."
Aries is a lively, action-oriented, fast-paced sign represented by the charging ram. According to Zhang, this is why Aries are always ready to dive headfirst into new opportunities and experiences—an energy that all signs can embrace.
Like New Year's Day, January 1, the astrological New Year is also a good time for self-examination. "This is an important time to honor the energy of spring by looking at our lives through a new lens," Gerdes said, especially since the lunar eclipse will occur on March 25, just six days later.
During eclipse season, "big, impulsive commitments can be disappointing," Gerdes said. “But releasing a habit, job, or relationship—especially if it feels overdue—may be crucial to ushering in the new energy of this time.”
The first day of spring is also the official end of Pisces season, an intuitive time of year. As the 12th sign of the zodiac, Pisces season occurs during times of cold, darkness, and winter. It is also a mutable water sign, representing dreams and creativity. Think of Pisces as the introvert and Aries as the big, loud extrovert.
Pisces and Aries are very different signs, which explains why it feels like a switch flips on the Equinox. To fully embrace Aries' fresh spark, you can look for ways to embrace change and embrace the season.
How to celebrate the Spring Equinox
buy yourself flowers
One of the easiest ways to celebrate spring is to surround yourself with flowers. Zhang recommends choosing fun colors like orange, yellow or red to represent the fiery Aries sign, so look for gerberas, daisies, daffodils or the most colorful bouquets at Trader Joe's.
While flowers are perfect for spring, filling a vase also has a deeper meaning. According to Zhang, Aries season is all about filling your own cup, so it's the perfect time to buy yourself a little gift.
haircut
If you've been thinking about growing bangs or dying your hair, now is the time. Zhang recommends going to your Pinterest board — or Hailey Bieber's Instagram — and taking screenshots of your favorite looks. Take a leap of faith and enter this season as a new version of yourself.
Connect with friends
If it's been a minute since you've had dinner with your bestie, why not schedule a date? "During energetic Aries season, you'll have a social battery [for this]," says Zhang. It’s fun to take a bite and helps shake off the winter dust.
Clean your apartment
Unless you're a Virgo, staying indoors and getting clean might not feel very exciting, but according to Zhang, it's one of the best ways to ring in the season. "It's not called 'spring cleaning' for nothing," she said. “Sweeping away stagnant winter energy is a great way to welcome the new energy of spring.”
To make it more fun, think of it as a ritual where you clean the windows, wash the sheets, and remove all the dust from under the bed. “When going through a transformational time like the Spring Equinox, this turns mundane activities into conscious practices,” Gerdes said.
What to avoid during the Spring Equinox
Aries energy is all about living your best life, so as you head into spring, try to resist the urge to rot in your bed. According to Zhang, this is the perfect time to get out of your comfort zone and maybe start a new hobby or meet new people. "Embracing novelty...is key," she said. "Aries favors those who dare to explore the unfamiliar."
That said, it's important not to go too far, especially when manifesting for the future. "Since we're about to enter eclipse season, it can be challenging to get too hung up on one intention at this time," Gerdes said. "I don't recommend making radical new changes unless it's a path you intuitively know you need to take. It's wiser to follow the subtle nudges of our soul than to strive toward a great intention or achievement."
source:
Catherine Geddes, astrologer
Cecilia Cheung, astrologer
