In 2026, the March equinox arrives on March 20 at 10:46 A.M. EDT. This notable event occurs on a Friday, marking the undeniable start of the spring season in the Northern Hemisphere, while the Southern Hemisphere embraces its autumn season.
What is the Spring Equinox?
In the Northern Hemisphere, the spring equinox, also known as the March equinox or vernal equinox worldwide, occurs when the Sun crosses the celestial equator from south to north. This phenomenon is called the celestial equator because it is represented as an imaginary line in the sky directly above Earth’s equator. If one were to stand on the equator, the Sun would transit directly overhead as it moves northward.
During the March equinox, both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres receive approximately equal amounts of sunlight, as neither hemisphere is inclined toward or away from the Sun more than the other.
In most locations, with the exceptions of the North Pole and the equator, the quantity of daylight progressively increases each day following the winter solstice. After the spring equinox, many regions will experience a longer period of daylight than darkness in a 24-hour period. The increase in daylight each day will persist until the summer solstice in June, marking the period with the longest daylight.
Let's Sprinkle Some Magick on that day!
Anyone who prides themselves on working with the energies of our planet understands the significance of this day for us. This day is part of the Sun cycle – one of the largest and most influential cycles for all life on our planet.
Seasonal celebrations varied across Europe, influenced by different tribes and local customs. The Anglo-Saxons mainly honored solar events, such as solstices and equinoxes, whereas the Celts celebrated the four points between them. Cultural and tribal differences led to diverse festivities.
As Neo-paganism gained popularity, various covens and groups selected specific days for celebration. Two significant groups emerged during this period: the Bricket Wood Coven, founded by Gerald Gardner in 1940, and the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids, established by Ross Nichols in 1964. It is said that during a naturist retreat, Gardner and Nichols collaborated to create an eight-fold calendar, merging various celebrations into a cohesive framework that recognized all eight sacred days. This collaboration ultimately facilitated better alignment of festivities between the two Neo-pagan groups.
Gardner’s early writings referred to Celtic festivals as “May Eve, August Eve, November Eve (Hallowe’en), and February Eve.” By the mid-1960s, the term “Wheel of the Year” was commonly used to describe the annual cycle of eight observances. Aidan Kelly is credited with naming the Wiccan summer solstice (Litha) and equinox holidays (Ostara and Mabon) in 1974. In her 1978 book, Witchcraft for Tomorrow, Doreen Valiente identified the four “Greater Sabbats,” or fire festivals, as Candlemas, May Eve, Lammas, and Hallowe’en, alongside their Gaelic counterparts: Imbolc, Beltane, Lughnasa, and Samhain.
Today, the names of the Wheel of the Year festivals in English typically merge the Celtic names used by Gardner with the Germanic-derived names introduced by Aidan Kelly, regardless of the cultural origins of local celebrations. The “Wheel of the Year” celebrates important points in the Sun Cycle. Even more crucial, these points allow for us to tap into that energy and synchronise our natural energy cycle to what the planet has to offer.
How Does the Spring Equinox Fit in?
One of the wonderful things about syncing up with planetary energies as the year unfolds is the gentle nudge they offer when we align with them. So, let’s think about what kind of encouragement the Spring Equinox—and spring itself—has in store for us!
To get to the heart of the matter, just consider what farmers are busy doing right now. This season marks the beginning of the planting phase! Spring is buzzing with activity, as it’s crucial to get crops into the ground quickly to outsmart those pesky weeds. Farmers often mix in manure or fertilizers to keep things healthy, and checking the soil is key to giving the crops the best chance. Plus, making sure tools and equipment are in tip-top shape is a must, and don’t forget that fruit trees might need a little pruning before they burst into bloom.
So what does all this mean for us? Personally, I like to use the full planetary cycle to focus on just one BIG goal for the year. Typically, I settle on this goal during winter, and when the Equinox rolls around, it’s time to kick off my plans! Remember, this is a time for action, not just daydreaming. A farmer isn’t sitting around planning; he’s busy planting!
Winter is when we contemplate and define our goals. It’s a time for reflection, for being honest with ourselves, and for evaluating our successes from the past year and where we could improve. If you haven’t taken the time to do this yet, you have until the Equinox to get it sorted! That gives you about a month to sit down and choose your big goal for 2026!
What Should I be Planting?
When it comes to sharing ideas, using analogies can really help connect with others. Let’s just say that you have a goal to launch your own business this year. Whether it’s starting an online store, opening a wellness practice, or kicking off a franchise, there’s a lot of groundwork to lay. This means getting the necessary permits, securing your domain name, designing an awesome website, or maybe even bringing in some experts to help. You’ll also want to order any materials you’ll need to get started. Each of these tasks is part of the foundation that will lead to more detailed efforts later on.
Before diving into any construction or renovations, make sure you’ve got those important permits in hand! Creating a strong online presence relies on having a working website, and it’s super important to ensure that the supplies you gather align perfectly with your business goals. Take the time needed to review these resources and make sure they’ll help you achieve the results you’re aiming for. All of these activities are essential as part of your preparation. Regardless of your goal for the year, there is prep-work that needs to take place to get it started. This is the work of Spring!
This prep work will carry on until May 1, which we celebrate as Beltane. During this time, you’ll notice a shift as we roll into the “Summer Energy” phase, where all that planning can turn into action! If you’ve wrapped up your planning phase (from winter/Yule to Imbolc) and completed the preparatory phase (Spring Equinox), you’re all set to get things moving in the execution phase. Remember, the success of your journey really depends on how much effort you’re willing to put into bringing your vision to life!
How Ritual and Ceremony Can Help
As a fellow practitioner, I truly appreciate the power of ceremony and ritual! They can be such an incredible way to get you mentally and energetically ready for this work. Ceremony can shift your energy patterns, help you change behaviors, and even offer insights (if you’re open to receiving them) about your role in past challenges you’ve faced.
With the upcoming energetic shifts on the horizon, let’s focus our ceremonies on solidifying our goals for the year. What’s the one thing you want to achieve this year? It could be something personal for yourself or your family, a goal for your business, your partnership, or anything else that means a lot to you. I know this can be tricky for many of us—we often struggle to identify something that we’re passionate about enough to dedicate a whole year to or feel overwhelmed by too many choices.
Let’s start with the first scenario: if you feel like you don’t have something that lights a fire in you for the whole year, that in itself can be your project! Why not take this year to explore why you haven’t identified something that’s worth investing your time and energy into? Finding that passion is one of the joys of life and what helps make living so meaningful! Your goal can be to discover that special something that resonates with you on a deep level—something that truly deserves your commitment for the entire year. If you uncover it, next year, you can set out to make it a reality!
The second scenario can be a bit more challenging and involves making choices. If you’re like me and struggle with ADHD, you might have a ton of exciting projects you think are worthy of your time. However, not all of them will be worth your year. The key is figuring out which project will genuinely captivate you for the entire year and has a good chance of completion. If you don’t pick the right one, there’s a risk you might lose interest midway through. Take some time to sift through all those awesome ideas and land on that one idea that’s not just cool but truly deserving of your dedication!
Elements for Building Your Ceremony
Your ceremony can be as simple or as elaborate as you desire, and it all starts with your intention. Just sitting under a tree can be a lovely ceremony if that’s what you choose! It’s all about perspective. The first step is to create a sacred space, wherever you decide to hold your ceremony. This allows you to step away from the usual hustle and bustle and into a more special space. During a ceremony, we transform everyday actions into sacred ones, creating a beautiful shift in energy.
Let’s start with the simple idea of sitting by a tree. Perhaps nature helps you think more clearly, and the tranquility of the tree gives you the chance to let go of what’s been holding you back, allowing clarity to flow in. These are all wonderful reasons to craft a sacred space with your tree. Begin by cleansing the area with sage, palo santo, or even the soothing sounds of a singing bowl. With the space cleared, visualize a circle of energy in your mind, with you and the tree at the center. Turn towards each direction and invite them in to guide you on your journey. East, South, West, North, Up Above, down below, and at the center, where your heart is. Now you’re in your sacred bubble – just you and the tree. Nothing unwanted can enter your space, and everything within can only leave when you choose.
Your sacred space is ready, and now it’s time to sit by your tree, perhaps with a journal or even your phone to capture your thoughts or some art supplies. Think about your questions and where you seek clarity. Lean against the tree, ask for guidance, and allow the energy to flow between you. Take as long as feels right and be open to the information you receive. When you’re finished, jot down your notes and gently release the directions and energies you called in to maintain the sanctity of your space. Your ceremony is complete, and wasn’t that easy?
These are the essential steps for creating any ceremony. Once you feel comfortable, you can expand by incorporating crystals, candles, herbs, or tools—whatever resonates with you. Let your intuition steer you on your ceremonial journey. To create a ceremony, always begin by clearing the area, inviting directions for protection, and releasing everything once you’re done. These steps remain constant; what changes is the work you engage in within the energetic space you’ve created, making intent incredibly important!
Here are some ideas for ceremonies and tools that could enhance your experience:
- Water Ceremonies – Taking a bath can be a fantastic way to include the element of water in your practice. This is especially helpful if you’re feeling too emotional and need to calm down, or, conversely, if you’re having difficulty connecting with your feelings. And remember, these ceremonies don’t have to happen in a bathtub; you can use floating candles, a simple bowl of water, or even dissolve some natural paper in water as part of your ritual.
- Fire Ceremonies – You can conduct these with candles, a fireplace, or a fire pit. Fire ceremonies are excellent for boosting motivation and confidence. My teacher, Brandy Winn, always reminds me that “the fire will always tell you the truth,” and she’s absolutely right! If you find yourself stuck in your own justifications or overwhelmed by outside influences, the fire can guide you inward to hear the truth you need (even if it’s not what you want to hear)!
- Air Ceremonies – These can include incense, sprays, aromatherapy, and much more. Our brains connect scents with memories and feelings, making air a wonderful ally for clarity when things around seem chaotic. Don’t forget to incorporate some breathwork as you welcome this element into your body. Sprays can be particularly lovely for this; unlike smoke, which can be overpowering, a gentle spray can be just what you need! These ceremonies are perfect for those who tend to overthink or struggle to let go of emotions long enough to make clear choices.
- Earth Ceremonies – These are superb for grounding, protection, and manifestation. Earth ceremonies elevate mundane actions into sacred ones. For instance, writing a voided check to yourself can symbolize manifesting the funds you need to achieve your goals. Imagine breaking a branch or a bone to symbolize physical healing, then gluing it back together. Invoking the energy of crystals and herbs can also create impactful earth ceremonies.
And remember, you can mix and match ceremonies! Feel free to add candles to your bath ceremony—try a floating candle spell that beautifully combines both water and fire. Surround yourself with crystals while working with air, or burn herbs in your cauldron to unify earth and fire. The best ceremonies are those you create to match your unique spirit!
Some Ceremonial Tools That Can be Helpful in Setting Goals
Below is a list of my favorite items to embrace during the winter months as we gear up to set exciting spring goals. These are just friendly suggestions that have really worked wonders for me!
Crystals
- Citrine: This crystal is one of my top picks for boosting personal power. Its fiery connection helps you uncover the “truth” of any elusive matter.
- Labradorite – A wonderful crystal for expanding ideas and helping you explore different options while keeping you grounded.
- Honey Calcite – a powerful ally for connecting to the lower chakras, guiding you to understand the distinction between what you want and what you truly need.
- White Aragonite – connects you to the crown chakra, enhancing communication with your higher self and the higher realms for clarity on your current journey.
- Tiger’s Eye: A great help for those deciding between multiple goals. It allows you to focus on the solar plexus chakra and highlights what deserves your attention the most.
Herbs
- Agrimony – This one tops my list! It’s fantastic for road-opening and can really help you when you’re feeling stuck or uncertain.
- Mullein Leaf – linked to elemental air and Saturn, it helps you navigate through excuses and rationalizations to uncover what you truly need to see.
- Lavender – a lovely herb to open up your mind and let the fresh ideas flow in!
- Gotu Kola – This one opens your mind and helps you focus on and understand esoteric matters – a perfect companion for meditation!
- Rosemary – One of my all-time favorites, Rosemary is great for clearing distractions and diving deep into the knowledge stored within your body. It’s fantastic for connecting with DNA wisdom.
- Rose – opens your heart chakra and guides you in choosing what truly matters to you!
Tools
- Journaling – a wonderful way to free up your mind. If you’re feeling adventurous, why not try automatic writing or free writing?
- Candle Magick with intent: I always suggest writing your intent on a piece of paper and attaching it to the candle so it can burn along with it.
- Meditation & Shamanic Journey – why not ask the spirits for guidance?
- Mind Mapping – a helpful exercise for those who find it challenging to make decisions.
- Crystal Grids – connect with the wisdom of crystal elders while tapping into elemental earth for guidance.
- Nature Walks – a lovely way to connect with the earth and the air elements.
- Water Magick – spend time by a river, lake, or ocean to help release emotional blockages.
We can’t wait to see the amazing things you create!
