Spring equinox and the rhythms of nature
- hannagillving
- Mar 20
- 3 min read
Today marks the start of astronomical Spring, also known as Spring equinox.
It takes place at the exact same time all over earth, giving Spring to those of us living in the northern hemisphere, and Autumn to the habitants south of the equator.
The rhythms of nature
Today, the night and day are equally long, as the seasons of the earth changes.
This shift fortunately happens; due to the earth's slight tilt on its axis as it travels around the sun. Without the tilt, and the rays of the sun, there would not be any seasons.
And without seasons nor sun, we wouldn't be able to grow, or pasture-raise, any food on this planet. Now that's what I call food for thought. Because it's so easy to take these things for granted. But considering how modern time-billionaires are pushing to tamper with nature by blocking the rays of the sun, perhaps we should not.
The seasons of the moon
The beloved moon is also highly important. It is no secret that the gravitational pull between the earth and the moon is correlated with the behaviour of the tides of the oceans. The moon with its phases, is also known to have been a trustworthy guide for early farmers and their work, nurturing the soil and growing food in alignment with the rhythms of nature.
Each month's full moon has a name, since old time's lore and wisdom. For example, the March full moon (which fell on the14th), is said to go by the name of the Worm Moon, as it appears during a time when the thawing of the soil occurs (when soil is naturally heated, after being frozen) and when worms – and their fellow invertebrate organisms – come to surface, marking the end of Winter and the beginning of planting season for farmers.
It is a time for rebirth.
My inner pagan
I see occasions such as Spring equinox as opportunities to be a little extra present or in tune with the rhythms of nature. Honouring my inner pagan*, I devoted my morning to one of the loveliest of rituals, and set off for a brisk, long nature walk (well, as nature-proper as is possible when living in a modern city like Stockholm), after heading to the gym. I prefer to do my workouts around the crack of dawn, and lifting heavy things is indeed a thing of our ancestral nature, too. And both walking and working out are favourite physical forms of meditations to me.
A love potion for the brain
Nothing beats meditating in nature, whether it is sitting and taking in gorgeous surroundings of a forest or the sea, perhaps while sipping on a cup of aromatic, dark roasted, coffee. Or if it's practised through walking, running, breathwork-ing in open air, or doing an outdoorsy, proper gym session. With birds chirping and the wind softly whispering through trees...
It is like soothing medicine for the soul, and it's about being in tune, present in the physical body. Whilst simultaneously giving a little love potion-dose to our ancestral brain. Especially when taking good care rejuvenating it through some kind of physical movement. Because movement will both send signals of relaxation AND ignite brain-related creativity, healthily re-wiring or strengthening the neural pathways and one's unique biochemistry. As well as promote brain-age-reversing longevity. And of course, secrete lovely, naturally produced chemicals, inducing feelings of well-being or perhaps a dose of pure joy.
Set your intention & go
A Spring equinox is also a fine day for slowing down, tuning inwards, contemplating. And setting an intention, or two. So what seeds will you be planting today? What does your heart say?
With love,
Hanna
*Pagan: a person who believes in the wisdom of nature rather than religion, and that the natural cycles of birth, growth and death observed in the world around us carry profoundly spiritual meanings. Sees the power of the divine in the ongoing rhythms of nature, life and death. Strives to live by values such as keeping a nonjudgmental mind. Seeks to do as little harm as possible to the environment and prefers to live an eco-friendly life.
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