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Facebook Headline: When is Spring Equinox 2023? Here's what the day REALLY signifies

Here is everything you need to know about the official first day of spring

The spring equinox, also known as the vernal equinox, is being celebrated on Tuesday, March 21, 2023, this year. The phenomenon marks the beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere and autumn in the Southern Hemisphere.

All over the world, people celebrate the potential for new growth and new beginnings at this time of year, and since this also marks the beginning of the astrological year, many people consider this the official start of the new year.

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What is the Spring Equinox?

The equinox is the day when the sun shines directly on the equator and the earth's axis is neither tilted toward nor away from the sun. It also signifies the beginning of spring in the northern hemisphere. Almost everything on Earth then has 12 hours of sunlight. The only other time this is the case is in September, on the day of the autumnal equinox.

It's a time to celebrate rites of passage by doing special rituals to welcome in the vernal equinox, another name for the spring equinox which comes from the Latin word vernare, "to bloom."

Rituals of spring equinox

Nature's facial

If you bathe your face in the morning dew of spring, you will be beautiful all year long. So, get up early and try it!

Spring cleanses your soul

Take a bath or shower with sea salt. Symbolically wash your hands, feet and body three times to represent the purification of mind, body and spirit.

Decorate with spring blooms

With daffodils and hyacinths you can decorate the cheerful season in the house.

Take in the spring air

Enjoy walks on these magical days in the Celtic Year, to connect more deeply with Mother Nature.

5 fun facts about spring equinox you should know

The word 'equinox' has an interesting meaning

The word "equinox" comes from Latin and means "equal" and "night" When the sun crosses the equator, the hours of daylight and night are almost equal.

Other planets have equinoxes too!

Hard to believe? But it’s true. We’re not the only planet that gets to experience an equinox. In fact, every planet in the solar system has an equinox.

The Cybele cult celebrated the spring equinox

For a certain group of ancient Romans, the vernal equinox was a day to celebrate the deity Cybele, a goddess closely associated with nature and fertility.

There’s a 'worm moon' in March

Normally earthworms spend winter well below the frost line, but the annual spring rains decrease the oxygen content in the soil, forcing them to come to the surface. For this reason, the first full moon in March is also called the worm moon.

Spring holidays

The spring equinox is also the time of holidays. Easter this year is on Sunday, April 9, while Passover is from April 5 to 13.