What date is the day of the vernal equinox. Day of spring equinox

The equinox, that is, an equal ratio of dark and light time of day, occurs twice a year - in spring and autumn. In the old days, these dates were considered to be the change of seasons, but now they are guided by the calendar.

Scientists consider the vernal equinox to be the astronomical beginning of spring.

From an astronomical point of view, from this day the spring period begins, which lasts until the summer solstice, which in 2019 falls on June 21. Therefore, the day of the spring equinox has been considered a mystical and long-awaited event since ancient times.

Astronomical spring

The spring equinox occurs when the Sun moves from the southern hemisphere of the celestial sphere to the northern. At the indicated time, the Earth will cover a quarter of the year's path, moving along its orbit. The two hemispheres will be illuminated by the Sun exactly half, which explains the equal duration of light and dark time of day.

From the day of the spring equinox, the seasons change across the hemispheres. In the northern hemisphere of the Earth, astronomical spring begins, and in the southern hemisphere, astronomical autumn begins, which lasts until the summer solstice.

Then the Sun will continue its movement, moving from the southern hemisphere to the northern. After six months, the equinox will come again, but during this period the Sun will already be on the opposite side of the orbit.

Historically, the date of the vernal equinox is March 21. It was on this day that there was the spring equinox in 325, when at the First Ecumenical Council the general rule was adopted to celebrate Easter on the first Sunday after the spring full moon, but not earlier than the spring equinox.

But, due to the fact that the astronomical year differs from the calendar year, the spring equinox does not have a fixed day and hour and shifts by almost six hours every year, and therefore falls on different dates. It can fall from March 19th to March 21st.

The earliest dates of the equinoxes occur in leap years, and the latest in the years preceding leap years. During a leap year, a time adjustment occurs that returns the equinox to its previous date.

Traditions and customs

Since ancient times, many peoples of the world have considered the spring equinox a great holiday - magical and ritual. In ancient and medieval times, spring festivals were celebrated with gaiety and rituals promoting the fertility of the earth and the well-being of the people.

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"Imereti Spring" Tsotne Mikutishvili

And the ancient Egyptians even erected the Great Sphinx so that it pointed directly at the rising sun during the spring equinox.

Many peoples have kept this holiday in their calendar to this day. The holiday of Nowruz, which means “new day” in Farsi, has its roots in the traditions of ancient farmers in the Middle East and Central Asia.

The holiday has become an integral part of the culture of many peoples professing Islam. In the CIS, the equinox day is celebrated as a national holiday by Tatars, Kazakhs, Bashkirs, Kyrgyz, Tajiks, Uzbeks and many other peoples.

On the day of the vernal equinox, many eastern countries, including Iran and Afghanistan, celebrate the New Year.

Among the Celts and Germans, this day was associated with the rebirth of spring and marked the beginning of the agricultural season. To especially welcome spring and please the goddess Ostara, housewives painted eggs and baked wheat buns. Ostara is one of the most “ancient” goddesses; evidence of her worship dates back to the end of the 2nd millennium BC.

The Slavic holiday Komoeditsa-Maslenitsa is also timed to coincide with the spring equinox, when people said goodbye to winter and welcomed spring, which personifies the revival and rebirth of nature. People believed that the more fun and joyful the holiday was, the more generous nature would be to them.

In Rus' this day was called “Magpies” and it was celebrated in a special way. People believed that it was at this time that many birds, namely 40, arrived. The symbol of the holiday was the lark, since it was the first to return.

One of the customs was to bake cookies in the shape of a bird on this day. And the first person to see the lark was given cookies from the entire village. The rest of the delicacy was subsequently distributed to all the children in the village, so that they, in turn, would invite the larks, who, according to legend, would bring spring with them.

© photo: Sputnik / Alexander Imedashvili

Traditionally, World Earth Day is celebrated on March 20, calling on all people to realize that the Earth is our common home, which should be loved, protected and preserved for future generations.

On the day of the spring equinox, astrologers celebrate their professional holiday - Astrology Day, timed to coincide with the beginning of the astrological year, when the Sun enters the sign of Aries.

In many countries this day is magical, as it is the only day of the year when spring meets spring. Usually at this time they tell fortunes and solemnly burn an effigy of winter to welcome the long-awaited spring.

Signs

On this day, you should monitor the weather, which determines the weather pattern for the next 40 days. If it is warm on this day, then there will be no cold or frost until summer.

On the day of the spring equinox, you should not quarrel, get upset, or sort things out with loved ones. It is best to spend this day with your family or with your loved one.

© Sputnik / Levan Avlabreli

Doll "Spring" by Irena Oganjanova

The holiday should be celebrated cheerfully so that you can spend the whole next year without worries and not think about the bad. A wish made on this day will definitely come true.

On the day of the spring equinox, people tell fortunes about love. To do this, you can use fortune telling using Tarot cards, classical cards, runes, and oracles. At the time of fortune telling, you should focus on your situation, ask a specific question in order to get an accurate answer.

Since the holiday is preceded by Maslenitsa (in 2019 from March 4 to March 10 inclusive), many girls use similar fortune telling. So, for example, on this day they also baked pancakes, and if the first pancake was not lumpy, then they believed that they would get married this year.

When a girl wanted to find out what gender her first child would be, she kept an eye on who would take the first pancake from the festive table. If a man, then you need to wait for a boy, and if a woman, then a girl.

Many girls believed that this night they would have prophetic dreams. Before going to bed, many people usually told fortunes about their husband - they put two aces (of spades and diamonds), a ten of clubs, a key, a ring and a piece of pie under the pillow. All items had to be wrapped in a white scarf.

The next morning, the girls judged the future, depending on what they dreamed about: a ring for an imminent wedding, a card of spades - for trouble, a key or bread - for success in work, a pie - for luck and joy, a card of diamonds - for wealth, club - for moving.

The vernal equinox is a time to express feelings. And if you have long wanted to confess your feelings to your loved one, you need to do this on the day of the spring equinox.

The material was prepared on the basis of open sources.

The Day of the Spring Equinox is one of the ancient pagan holidays, which was celebrated by many peoples. This is one of the eight days of power a year, revered by sorcerers and magicians. At this time, nature awakens, the gods of the sun and spring descend to earth, conspiracies and rituals are filled with special power.

What happens on Spring Festival

On the day of the Spring Equinox, nature stands still for several hours, balancing between darkness and light, winter and spring. This is the time of awakening of the earth after the winter cold, when day is equal to night. It becomes equal parts darkness and light.

There was or is a similar holiday in almost every country in the world. It occurs on the 20th of March, usually the 20-23rd days of the month. In the Gregorian calendar, the equinox and solstice fall on approximately the same dates year after year.

For many peoples, the day was associated not only with the arrival of spring, but with the struggle between the forces of darkness and light. The bright gods or spirits always won, bringing spring warmth and sunlight as a victorious trophy.

In many countries, March 20-23 celebrates the New Year, which is closely associated with the onset of spring. These are almost all the states that stand on the Silk Road - Iran, Tajikistan, Afghanistan and many others. The equinox was celebrated by the Slavs, Celts, Germans, and also, presumably, the Egyptians and the Mayans.

In European paganism, the Spring Equinox is dedicated to the ancient Germanic goddess of spring Ostara. It is called Ostara by adherents of Wiccan neo-paganism. In honor of the goddess, eggs were painted and buns similar to Easter cakes were baked. It is believed that the Christian Easter tradition takes its roots from here. And the date of Easter, by the way, is still counted from the date of veneration of Ostara. More precisely, Christians celebrate it on the first Sunday after the full moon following the Equinox.

Slavic traditions of the Equinox

Among the later Slavs this holiday was called Forty. In the old days, it was associated with the arrival of birds, and it was believed that forty birds returned at the end of March - hence the name. The main symbol was the lark, since this bird is the first to return. Ritual cookies were baked in its shape and given to those who saw the lark.

In pagan times, the sun was of great importance to the Slavs. According to legend, when day equals night, solar deities come to the world of people and check how their affairs are going. Yarilo was associated with the arrival of spring. Various rituals and offerings are dedicated to him. They glorified his victory over winter. According to Slavic legends, at the end of March he kicks off the horns of winter, and it goes away.

The Day of the Spring Equinox was a noisy holiday among the Slavs. Mass celebrations and lavish and noisy feasts were held. Pancakes, which symbolized the sun, occupied a special place in the latter. They were most often prepared by unmarried girls who used the pancakes to tell fortunes about marriage. The first thing is lumpy - there will be no wedding this year.

When serving pancakes on the table, you should take a closer look at who will take the very first one. If a man, the first child will be a boy. If a woman, a daughter will be born. Pregnant women can also guess this way. As on Christmastide, they told fortunes about their betrothed in various ways - from cards to calling on the mirror.

Burning effigies

An obligatory element of folk festivities is a scarecrow symbolizing winter, or the goddess of winter Morena. He was solemnly burned on a huge bonfire. After the burning, they jumped over the fire to cleanse themselves of the negativity accumulated over the winter. Echoes of this tradition can be seen in modern Maslenitsa traditions.

On the tops of mountains and hills they sang songs, calling out spring and calling on birds to return from warm countries. Vesnyanka - that’s what these chants were called. Wheels were lowered from the mountains, which symbolized the movements of the sun-Yarilo across the sky. Distant ancestors did not forget to honor the dead by leaving them treats and visiting their graves.

It was not customary to sleep at night, people froze in anticipation of the sound of the “breaking year” - the arrival of spring among the Slavs was similar to the modern New Year. Their life was closely connected with agriculture, and the new year began at the same time as work on the land. However, according to some sources, the Slavs celebrated the New Year in autumn or late spring.

Equinox - signs

Pre-holiday cleaning is an obligatory part of any pagan holiday. A day or two before the onset of the Spring Equinox, it was customary for the Slavs and other peoples to cleanse their homes of physical and energetic dirt.

The first one is easier; it’s general cleaning, and you can cleanse the house of negativity in several ways. Simplest - visualization while cleaning. Imagine how you are removing traces of negative emotions from guests and household members, along with dust and debris. If you were planning to throw away old trash, the eve of the Spring Equinox holiday is the best time to do this.

After cleaning, sprinkle the house with holy water or saline solution. You can use herbal infusions. Wormwood, basil, and thyme work well. Then - personal cleansing. Take a bath with herbs, essential oils and sea salt. Imagine how negative energy, evil eyes and traces of envy leave your biofield.

One of the rites of the Equinox is burning lists of what you would like to get rid of. If possible, the paper should be thrown into the fire. If you don't have one, use a candle.

There is an old sign - the magic of the Spring Equinox will help everyone earn forgiveness. Take time to forgive those who have offended you and correct your bad actions. March 20th is the best time for reconciliation.

Ostara is the day of signs and symbols. Pay attention to all the events of this day. They will tell you the future for the whole year. All dreams seen on the Equinox will turn out to be prophetic.

It is a bad omen to find a rotten egg among food supplies at this time. It foreshadows the loss of the protection of the Gods, the illness of one of the household members. To neutralize the negative meaning, you should hold your breath and walk around the entire house with salt (clockwise). Another sign for Ostara is to harm, even unintentionally, a black cat. If this happens, there will be trouble.

Just like on New Year, during the holiday do not allow negative thoughts and actions, otherwise they will haunt you for another year. Almost every holiday is a day of power, when thoughts are more likely to materialize than usual.

Rites, rituals, offerings

Followers of Slavic traditions honor Yarilo and the goddess of spring and youth Lelya, Wiccans - Ostara. Let's consider the Slavic version of the ritual in honor of the gods on the day of the Spring Equinox.

A unique pagan temple of the 10th century, recreated in the Sennen region

The Slavs glorified the gods at temples - sacred places built in their honor. If you have the opportunity to go to a sanctuary where there is an idol of Yarilo, do so. In the old days, offerings for this deity were left near him. They are accompanied glorification- pagan prayer:

God Yarilo, our bright Sun, you gallop across the sky on a white horse, bringing spring to the land of the Orthodox family. There is no enlightenment either in the sky or in my soul without your life-giving ray. Appear your face in the Blue Sky, and let your spirit tremble in my soul. You, our God, are the Father of the brave and victorious, you are a mighty knight who makes a man out of a young man. I pray to you, Father, drive the Basurs away from my family, illuminate the house and bless my relatives! May I be in unity, Yaril, with the Ancestors and Gods, inspired by You to walk my path, boldly and victoriously! Glory to Yarila!

It is better to choose daylight hours, from sunrise to sunset. If there is no opportunity to leave a request or an offering to the deity, you can do this on any hill - a hill, for example. Glades and forest edges are also suitable for this purpose. Offerings to the solar deity should be left while facing the sun.

Regarding the offering itself, the best option is pancakes, which served our ancestors as both a symbol of the sun and a traditional dish of the Equinox. But any other baked goods are also suitable - pies, cookies, homemade bread, gingerbread. It is better if it is made by you personally. Another traditional spring offering to the deity is scrambled eggs, which, like pancakes, symbolize the sun. As a symbol of the future harvest of the new season, the Slavs also offered grain to Yarila. A drink should be left along with the treat. Usually this is beer or kvass.

In honor of the onset of spring and as a sign of veneration of the goddess Lelya, our ancestors left treats for her under young birch trees. They do this early in the morning. Offerings can include holiday colored eggs, baked goods, honey, and milk. The text of the praise is:

Virgo-Lelya, spring is red,
Become clear today in the light.
Let the water flow clear.
Break Mary's spell!

Goy-ma! Glory!

Rites and rituals of the Spring Equinox may include various conspiracies to achieve a certain goal. At this time, appeals to the above-mentioned gods are most effective.

Spells for the Spring Equinox

Conspiracy appeals to the gods, who are traditionally revered on the Equinox, will be especially effective on this day. They are read after offering food and praise - first you should show your respect, and then ask for help.

Magic against damage and the evil eye

You can turn to Yarilo for protection from the witchcraft of enemies, as well as with a request to get rid of damage or evil eye. Before installing protection, you should remove all existing negativity. To do this, after making the offering and reading the glorification, you need to say:

Yarilo stands under the blue sky,
He covered himself with a tent and propped himself up with a spear.
Stars often fell from the sky,
And with (name) all the touches fell asleep! Goy!

After cleansing, you should put protection against further magical attacks. The plot corresponding to this goal can be read immediately after the previous one. The text is:

Bright red sun, put a wall of fire around me that cannot be penetrated by any kind of witchcraft. Protect your son (name) from any witchcraft now and forever and ever.

In the text, you can change the words “your son” to “your daughter” if a woman is reading it. You can put such protection on a loved one, then you need to mention his name in the text.

Love witchcraft of the ancient Slavs

The magic of the Spring Equinox is good for love witchcraft. In the old days, at this time they were expelled from home stagnant spirit- according to legend, it is because of him that the relationship between spouses cools down. Our ancestors believed that Yarilo, known for his violent and passionate character, would come to the house instead.

For such a conspiracy you will need a broom, preferably made from natural materials - wood, branches. A woman must sit on a broom and “drive” around the whole house. The working part of the broom should slide across the floor. You need to move counterclockwise, starting from the front door. At the same time say:

Yarilo ran out of the stove pillar. He began and began to rage at the woman, only the stick knocked. The stick knocks and beats the foul.

Read without stopping until you have walked around the entire house and returned to the front door. Then place the broom with its branches facing up next to it. The spouse with whom you want to improve your relationship should not be at home at this time.

If you have been unable to improve your personal life for a long time, it is likely that you are responsible for crown of celibacy. According to Slavic beliefs, the goddess Lelya put it on those who did not live according to their conscience and violated the covenants of their ancestors. The magic of the Spring Equinox will help you get rid of punishment. To do this, you need to contact Lela just before sunrise.

You will need a lot of candles that should be placed around you. In the old days, instead of candles, they made fires, and then stood in the center of the fire circle. Prepare a tray on which there will also be candles - as many as will fit. Light all the candles, stand in the center of the circle, hold the tray above your head with your arms outstretched. Now you are supposed to circle counterclockwise while reading the plot:

Oh, Lelya fiercely the force is chosen
Decorated with good red thread, a miracle
Oh, shining Lelya, miracle
Oh, Lelya is glorious, as you marvel at all who see and give.
Oh, Lelya, your good deeds in my house
Oh, Lelya, you are loved and delightful to everyone
Oh, Lelya is mischievous, come to my body to hear the prophetic cry
Dress up like a new item, donate a penny
Give into your soul, look into the world
Through my eyes, through my hands
Yes, connect my thoughts with the chosen existence
And let this be illuminated in the life of the living
Selected semi-precious stones
Oh, Lelya, bind the power of the delightful veil over me
With a spring native belly
Oh, Lelya, Lala has fiercely chosen her strength.

You need to read without counting until the morning sun appears completely above the horizon. Read this plot for the Spring Equinox, as well as six more days after it. On the eighth day before sunrise, you need to weave a wreath of white flowers and decorate it with bright ribbons. Looking at the sunrise through the wreath, read the plot for another forty days. On the forty-first day, hang it on a young birch tree and leave the goddess’s needs - baked goods, milk, honey.

Spells for money

There are special conspiracies on the day of the Spring Equinox that attract money. For one of them you need to make a big fire. Looking at the flame, read:

Sparks are gold, ashes are silver.
Be good in my home all year!
My bins are full
I will always live in wealth and prosperity!

Wait until the fire burns out. Ashes and ashes must be collected and stored in the house. A year later, scatter it to the wind and read these words at the stake again.

If you have the opportunity to go to the forest during a pagan solar holiday, you can perform a strong ritual for money with an appeal to Yarilo. To do this, you need to find a clearing and stand so that the sun fully illuminates you. Raise your hands to the daylight and say three times:

The sun was shining in the sky, helping everyone, illuminating everyone. There is enough for everyone, in abundance, in order, not too much, not too little, but as much as needed!

Now turn around three times counterclockwise, and then say, looking at the sun:

Now and forever I have light of gold, plenty of money, not too much, not too little, but as much as I need!

Leave an offering to the deity in the form of pancakes, pastries and kvass or beer. After this, the ritual is considered completed. Your business will quickly go uphill, your financial situation will improve.

How to make a wish and have it come true

On the Equinox, the Druids made wishes under the sacred patron tree. From him they were charged with energy for future use. They believed that with the awakening of the earth, trees are more ready to share their strength than at other times of the year. The Slavs believed that on the day of spring, all wishes made come true.

On this day of strength, even the most incredible dreams are highly likely to come true, the main thing is to believe in it. How to make a wish on the day of the Spring Equinox? Make a list of your wishes on paper. Describe what you want as clearly as possible. If this is a house, write the number of rooms, floors, total area and other details that matter to you. Hide the list, and after a year, burn it.

Many Slavic and European pagan traditions and beliefs are associated with the Spring Equinox. On this holiday, our ancestors especially revered the gods of spring and the sun - Yarilo and Lelya. Rituals bestowed their blessing, spells addressed to them on the Equinox work much more effectively than at any other time.

After a long winter, we are all looking forward to the coming of spring. In March, buds appear on the trees, nature comes to life after a long sleep, birds sing and the sun shines. The Vernal Equinox Day, beloved by many - what date will it be in 2020 and how is it celebrated? Read the details in this article.

What happens on this day?

First of all, let's figure out what the spring equinox is. In fact, the answer lies in the name Equinox: day is equal to night, that is, the length of light and dark is the same.

There is a distinction between the spring equinox, which is celebrated in March, and the autumn equinox, which is celebrated in September. Some also talk about the spring solstice, but this is wrong. After all, they happen only in summer and winter - in June and December.

The date of the holiday falls on different days in different years: March 19, 20 or 21. The exact date depends on the year, it's all about the calendar shift due to leap years.

In 2020, the spring equinox will occur on March 20 at 06:50 am Moscow time. If you live in another region, you can calculate the time yourself, knowing Moscow time.

After this day, the length of daylight hours begins to increase, and the day becomes longer than the night.

Watch the video where the astronomical essence of the equinox phenomenon is revealed:

On March 21, the Sun moves from the zodiac sign Pisces to the sign of Aries, and astrological spring begins (the period of the signs Aries, Taurus, Gemini).

Since the Aries sign is associated with new things and initiative, this is a good time to start implementing new projects, implementing ideas and plans. Nature is being revived, so human activity in the world must also be revived.

Table of spring equinoxes until 2025

Year	Date and exact time in Moscow
2019	March 21 00:58
2020	20 March 06:50
2021	March 20 12:37
2022	20 March 18:33
2023	March 21 00:24
2024	20 March 06:06
2025	March 20 12:01

Ritual to fulfill a wish

The spring solstice is a time of miracles and mysticism, when the Wheel of Fate can be turned in the right direction. Traditionally, various rituals were performed on this day. Today I will present a spring ritual to make a wish come true.

Important conditions: the desire must concern you personally and it should not be associated with harm to other people.

Choose a quiet place and ask not to be interrupted for half an hour. Prepare a white candle.

• Light a candle.
• Find a comfortable position with a straight back, for example, sit cross-legged.
• Place the candle so that it is comfortable to look at it.
• Relax. Close your eyes. Breathe evenly and slowly.
• Imagine that your wish has already come true. For example, if you want to buy a new car, then imagine yourself driving as if you were driving around the city in a brand new car. Mentally examine the registration certificate you just received.
• Be sure to experience the emotions that a fulfilled desire will give you - delight, joy, satisfaction.
• Now place the image of the wish fulfilled in the pink sphere.
• The sphere rises up and flies into the sky, higher and higher.
• You have let go of your desire, thus leaving a request to the Universe for its fulfillment.

Try to forget about your desire for a while. Then it will certainly come true.

Folk signs of the holiday

People pass on signs for the Day of the Vernal Equinox from generation to generation.

1. Whatever your thoughts and desires are, this will be the case all year. The fact is that on March 21, the energy template for the subsequent months of the year is laid. Therefore, thoughts must be positive, and wishes to other people only bright and kind. You can't wish bad things even on your enemies.
2. The more fun you have on this day, the more fun your year will be.
3. On this day, our ancestors looked for spring thawed patches and counted them. If you find 40 pieces, then spring will bring good luck.
4. If the day turns out to be frosty, then another 40 days of frost are expected. And if the day is warm, then there will be no night frosts.

The holiday of the spring equinox among different nations

The spring equinox is celebrated all over the world. Different peoples greet spring in different ways, but they all have common features - every person rejoices at the reborn Sun and looks forward to welcoming warmth.

Holiday among the Slavs

The holiday of the spring equinox among the Slavs was called Magpies or Larks. The first name comes from the Forty Martyrs of Sebastia - Christian soldiers who refused to make sacrifices to pagan gods because they deeply believed in Christ.

However, even in the pre-Christian era, the spring equinox was celebrated on a grand scale. It was believed that on this day there comes a balance between light and darkness. The sun wakes up to give people warmth and harvest.

The Slavs called the Day of the Vernal Equinox - Larks. According to legend, on this day migratory larks return to their homeland, followed by other migratory birds.

Before this day, any agricultural work was prohibited, as the land was still in hibernation. Now she has begun to awaken.

For the holiday, housewives made ritual pastries from unleavened dough in the shape of larks. Birds were often baked with their wings and crests spread out. But each housewife, of course, had her own recipe.

The baked larks were given to the children. They ran with them into the street, threw them up, imitating the arrival of birds. Sometimes children would put the birds on a stick to raise them even higher towards the sun. These ritual actions were accompanied by calls of spring, the children shouted out special chants - calls of spring.

After the game, the larks were eaten, but the heads of the birds were not eaten. They were usually given to livestock.

Fortune telling was also common. For example, the housewife baked one bird for each family member. A coin was placed inside one. Whoever gets the bird with the coin will be happy all year.

Spring Larks Baking Recipes

How to cook larks for the Spring Equinox? Watch the recipe in the video:

And here is another recipe - a simpler one, made from yeast-free dough:

Celtic holiday Ostara

The holiday, named after the goddess of fertility of the earth named Ostare, is celebrated on the Day of the Vernal Equinox. The ancient Celts opened the agricultural season from this day.

The goddess Ostare is one of the most “ancient” goddesses, known since the second millennium BC. It is also associated with the awakening of nature, with the first herbs and flowers.

On this day, the ancient Germans performed rituals for the fertility of fields and trees in the coming season. It was customary to cleanse people of the filth accumulated over the winter.

The following were popular on this holiday:

• Pouring water;
• Fumigation with smoke;
• Jumping over the fire;
• The descent of fiery wheels from the mountain;
• Throwing fire arrows.

After the advent of Christianity, the pagan Spring Equinox was combined with the Christian Annunciation.

There are two main symbols of the goddess Ostare. The first of these is the moon hare or rabbit. It symbolized fertility (everyone knows how rabbits breed) and personified rebirth.

According to legend, the goddess Ostare saw a wounded bird in the snow. He took pity on the bird and, wanting to save it from death, turned it into a hare. In its new guise, the bird still laid eggs. Therefore, the second symbol of the holiday was considered an egg - a symbol of the Sun and the rebirth of nature.

The eggs were painted with protective symbols, as well as signs of peace, wealth, fertility, etc. The ritual is similar to the painting of Easter eggs that are familiar to us today.

Higan in Japan

The vernal equinox in Japan is associated with a Buddhist holiday called Higan. This is a public holiday and a day off for the Japanese.

However, the celebrations last a whole week: they begin 3 days before the equinox and end 3 days after it ends. The exact date of the equinox is calculated every year at the National Observatory.

The name “khigan” is translated as “that shore” or “the world where the souls of ancestors settled.” Accordingly, this is a holiday of honoring ancestors.

Before the holiday, the Japanese carefully clean their houses and put things in order. They clean the home altar with photographs of ancestors and their personal belongings, place fresh flowers and ritual food.

During the holiday week, Japanese residents go to the graves of their deceased relatives. All ritual foods are vegetarian. This is a tribute to the Buddhist tradition of not killing any living beings and not eating meat. The menu is based on rice, vegetables, beans, root vegetables and vegetable broths.

On holidays, the Japanese visit Buddhist temples, order prayers and pay ritual honors to departed ancestors.

Soon after Higana, the cherry blossom season begins, which symbolizes the true rebirth of nature. All residents of the Land of the Rising Sun go to admire the beautiful and short-lived phenomenon.

Turkic Nowruz

The traditional holiday of Novruz or Nauryz is celebrated by the Turkic and Iranian peoples; it is one of the most ancient holidays in human history. Has no relation to Islam, originated in Zoroastrianism and is associated with the astronomical phenomenon of the spring equinox. It is considered the true beginning of the New Year.

Currently, Novruz is celebrated on March 21 in Iran, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and other countries. In Russia, this holiday is celebrated in Bashkortostan, Tatarstan and Dagestan.

Preparations for Nowruz begin well in advance. Be sure to clean the house, pay off debts, and ask for forgiveness for the grievances caused. A variety of traditional dishes are prepared. Be sure to have a lot of sweets. It is believed that the richer the table, the happier the year will be.

Sprouted wheat is often placed on the table, symbolizing the rebirth of nature.

There is a tradition of organizing a fire festival on Novruz. For example, they make a fire and dance around it. And then they jump over the fire. It is believed that this allows you to cleanse yourself of all ailments and problems.

Thus, the date of the vernal equinox is very important in the history and culture of different peoples of the world. On this day everyone welcomes spring, the reborn sun and hopes for a rich harvest.

DAY OF SPRING EQUINOX

Concept "equinox" refers to March 20-21, when day and night are of equal length. The spring equinox marks beginning (zero degree) of the sign Aries and spring season. The spring equinox is especially important to Western astrologers, who use the position of the Sun as the place where the zodiac begins.

ASTRONOMICAL REFERENCE

By March 20-21, the Earth had covered a quarter of its annual orbital path. On the day of the vernal equinox the sun illuminates exactly half of both hemispheres the globe, and on the entire planet night and day last equally - 12 hours each. Then the Sun moves from the Southern Hemisphere to the Northern Hemisphere, and the Earth continues its movement to reach a new equinox in another six months, on the opposite side of the orbit.

On the day of the vernal equinox, the Sun throughout the Earth rises exactly in the east and sets exactly in the west. When crossing this point on the celestial sphere astronomical spring is coming in the northern hemisphere Earth. This is the day of the spring equinox. It will be autumn in the southern hemisphere. On this day, the length of day and night are the same throughout the entire Earth. On this day, all over the Earth, day is equal to night. Of course, this is strictly mathematical. In fact, on the day of the spring (autumn) equinox, the day is still slightly longer than the night, thanks to atmospheric refraction, which “raises” the luminary above the horizon. In the northern hemisphere of the Earth, on the day of the vernal equinox, astronomical spring begins, and in the southern hemisphere, astronomical autumn begins.

The equinox points are designated by zodiac symbols corresponding to the constellations in which they were located during the time of Hipparchus of Nicaea (c. 190 BC - c. 120 BC): the spring equinox - the sign of Aries, the autumn equinox - the sign of Libra.

SPRING EQUINOX - BIOLOGICAL NEW YEAR

The fact of the equinoxes (spring and autumn) was known several centuries before the compilation of a map of the starry sky and the drawing of the ecliptic on it (the large circle of the celestial sphere along which the visible annual movement of the Sun occurs).

About three thousand years ago, in the territory of modern Italy, it spread calendar, which was based on agricultural, or rather, growing season, that is, the period of active life of the plant world. Since the growing season was associated with the labor activity of a significant part of the population, knowledge of the seasons, and, above all, the start and end times of agricultural work, was of significant interest. Naturally, the growing season or agricultural year is different in different latitudes, and, consequently, in different climatic conditions. In temperate climates, it lasts from the last spring frosts to the first autumn frosts; in subtropical latitudes, the duration of the growing season increases as it approaches the tropics, and in tropical latitudes it lasts almost the entire year. In that part of the Apennine Peninsula, where the ancient Roman calendar originated, a subtropical climate prevails, and there the growing season lasts about 300 days. When compiling the calendar, ancient Roman astronomers already knew that the length of days and nights varies and that there are two days a year when day is equal to night.

Taking into account all these natural phenomena and the needs of life, the ancient Romans compiled a calendar, the growing season of which lasted 295 days and was divided into 10 months. The beginning of the year was taken to be the month on which the vernal equinox fell. And currently there are countries, such as Iran, whose calendar year also begins with the vernal equinox.

Since ancient times, the starting point for precession has been taken sunrise point on the day of the vernal equinox. This is evidenced by numerous astronomical markers of ancient civilizations that have survived to this day - horizon observatories, obelisks, pyramids. The main axis of Stonehenge, the gaze and body of the Great Sphinx of Giza are directed to this point. In the capital of the Mayan empire, an illusion is created that on the day of the spring and autumn equinox, the solar Serpent Quetzalcoatl crawls from the most famous pyramid. Ancient star charts and horoscopes, such as the Dendera Zodiac or the Zodiac of Osiris mounted on the ceiling of one of the roof chapels of the Temple of Hathor at Dendera, or the mysterious Mayan crop circles are based on coordinate systems with this starting point.

In ancient times, the days of the spring equinox were considered a great holiday. Nature is reborn again, animals begin to lead a more active lifestyle, preparing for procreation: bears wake up, nightingales trill in the fight for the female, and moose start fights. For many peoples of the world, since ancient times, this the holiday became magical, ritual, one of the main holidays of the natural calendar cycle. It was believed that on this day in the annual cycle, Spring, personifying the revival and rebirth of nature, replaces Winter.

U Slavs“larks” were baked as a symbol of the harbingers of spring. Ancient Celts and Germans they met migratory birds and prepared small wheat buns and colored eggs for the goddess of spring and dawn Ostara, which were symbols of new life. On the day of the vernal equinox, the New Year begins for many peoples and nationalities: Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan- Almost all countries of the Great Silk Road associate the beginning of the new year with this natural phenomenon. An important event in this region is the ancient agricultural festival Nowruz. According to ancient custom, before the onset of Nowruz, people must thoroughly clean their homes and surroundings and fully pay off their debts. IN Japan celebrates Higan- the first spring holiday. Before the start of Higan, the Japanese take special care to clean the house, especially the home altar with photographs and belongings of departed ancestors, refresh flowers and place ritual foods on the altar. After the end of the days of spring Higan, the season of indescribably beautiful cherry blossoms immediately begins. Everyone can enjoy this picturesque picture, symbolizing the triumph of spring and the renewal of nature.

Religion also did not bypass this day, filling a natural phenomenon with spiritual meaning. After the spring equinox, the biological principle awakens in a person, he becomes more sensitive and emotional. For spiritual improvement During this period, world religions offer fasting and prayers, which are designed to find the source of the Divine in your inner world. 40 days before Easter, fasting begins, which is supposed to prepare the human soul through purification to receive the Holy Fire, which symbolizes the Holy Spirit. date Easter holiday, which is celebrated every year at different times, was counted from the day of the vernal equinox as follows: March 20-21 - the first new moon - the first Sunday, which was considered a holiday.

HELLO SUN!

Since time immemorial, people have distinguished the Sun and the Moon from all other luminaries. Human life has always been connected with the Sun. In Rus', as well as among other peoples, the veneration of the Sun was very alive. In the temples of the Slavs, holes and superstructures were made in the dome to observe the points of the rise of the Sun, in order to “catch” the moment when the day finally became equal in length to the night. This was considered a turning point in the struggle of the forces of light over the forces of darkness.

In Ancient Rus', on the day of the spring equinox they celebrated Maslenitsa or Komoeditsa. Saying goodbye to Winter, the Russians praised the god of the spring sun and fertility - Yarila. Yarilo belongs to the annually dying and resurrecting gods of fertility. Yarilo is the god of spring, he embodies its fertile powers, he brings it with him. Yarilo spreads the spring warmth of the sun, awakens the life-giving force in plants and people, brings youthful freshness and ardor of feelings into the life of nature and the lives of people. Along with pancakes, which personify the sun, another symbol of Maslenitsa is bear. At Maslenitsa, they always dressed a person in a bear fur coat or a sheepskin coat turned inside out. The peasants prepared special dishes and danced a ritual dance around the mummer, imitating the movements of the awakening bear.

They burned it on Maslenitsa effigy of Morena, Goddess of Winter and Death. During fire actions, there was also a custom of rolling lighted wheels, which also symbolized the burning Sun.

ZERO ARIES - REPORTING POINT

Aries traditionally attributed such meanings as: beginning, impulse, breakthrough, independence, desire for leadership, egocentrism, openness, straightforwardness, cyclicality. Aries is the sign of strength, struggle, power, energy, as well as sacrifice.

Beginning - 0 degrees Aries - the first impulse of manifestation, he is the brightest and most active. This is the impulse that occurs in the seed when it begins to quickly gain energy for subsequent growth. Biologists know that if you throw a seed into water or place it in moist soil where there is enough heat, it will gain energy for some time. The total heat of the environment or the energy that the seed gains crosses a critical threshold, and at this moment a strong electromagnetic pulse arises. On the graph you can see a sharp jump that lasts only a few seconds. After this, the seed begins to actively gain momentum, and from that moment its growth begins.

Aries sign- the first sign of the Zodiac, and therefore its influence extends to spring, and to sunrise, and to any new beginning. That is why they say that the Sun exalted in Aries. The term "exaltation" means the place where the planet feels best, where it can function most harmoniously and unhindered. Scientists have made a discovery known as the Takata effect: the composition of our blood changes subtly at sunrise and sunset, as well as during solar eclipses. So, The fire sign of Aries, ruled by Mars, is directly related to the original fire on earth. The quality of this fire is cardinal; it is an active fire and vitality rushing upward. Aries is one of those signs in which Mars is able to function in full accordance with its gambling nature. Archetypal Mars is the Mortal Hero, the Faithful Knight of the King. Problems (Shadow in terms of K.G. Jung) can become anger, aggression, destructive tendencies. The Brave Knight archetype turns into the Invading Soldier.

Of course, this is the most general information. To understand the nuances of an individual's character, it is necessary to analyze the birth chart. Sphere ( horoscope house) where Aries finds itself - this is a field for the realization of activity, appropriate competition, healthy aggression, and human energy potential. Each of us has preserved a primitive conqueror, we just need to correctly understand the potential of Aries and use it adequately, and then we can say: “before the brave ram, the gates open themselves.”

And in conclusion, a few words about holidays which are celebrated on this day. March 20 is celebrated World Earth Day or Vernal Equinox(not to be confused with International Earth Day, celebrated on April 22). Since 1998, this day has been officially celebrated in Russia. Also, since the end of the twentieth century, March 20 is considered an unofficial professional holiday of astrologers all over the world.

Literature:

V.V. Tsybulsky. Calendars and chronology of countries of the world. - M., 1982.

P. Campanelli “The Return of Pagan Traditions.” - M., 2001.

M. Semenov “We ​​are Slavs.” - M., 2010

M.B. Levin. Lectures on astrology. 1 course. 4th semester. - M.: TsAI, 1993.

Ellis O. Howell, Letters from an Astrologer. Jungian synchronicity in astrological signs and eras.” - M., 1994.

Elena Raduga

The article was prepared for the Internet magazine of the Higher School of Classical Astrology.

After a long and cold winter, every person dreams of the imminent arrival of the warm season. The vernal equinox 2018 will be the time when the Sun moves to the northern hemisphere and astronomical spring begins.

When does this day come?

The equinox occurs when the length of day and night becomes equal. This moment is observed when the Sun crosses the equator of the sky. The spring equinoxes are 365.24 solar days apart from each other, so they occur at different times. Now astronomers have learned to accurately determine the day of the equinox several years in advance. For those who are interested in what date this event will occur in 2018, we can already answer with certainty. So, the sun's rays will hit the earth's equator vertically on 03/20/18.

A little history

In the history of mankind, four key dates can be noted, in accordance with which the life of ancient people was built. In 2018 they will look like this:

Day of spring equinox	16:15	20.03.18
Summer Solstice Day	10:07	21.06.18
Autumn equinox day	1:54	23.09.18
Winter solstice	22:23	21.12.18

All these points are sacred. It is after these days that dramatic changes in nature occur. The most revered date among our ancestors was still the day of the vernal equinox. They were waiting for him with the greatest impatience. He personified the victory of light and gave hope for the future. It is not surprising that many peoples perceive this day as a real holiday. The darkness begins to recede and the days lengthen. In ancient times, the equinox was associated with the onset of spring. For some peoples, this day heralded the arrival of the New Year. After all, after it a new period began, when everything in nature and human life began to be renewed.

As for our people, in the Slavic world, Komoeditsa or Maslenitsa was celebrated on the equinox. On this day it was customary to say goodbye to winter.

How to celebrate

The transition to a new life cycle was celebrated with great enthusiasm among all peoples. People tried to leave all the bad things in the past and hoped that the new period would bring them victories and good luck. This primarily concerned the future harvest. This day was revered by almost all peoples of our planet. Europeans held numerous festivals and masquerades during this period.

In pre-Christian Rus', when people worshiped pagan gods, the equinox was considered almost the most important day of the year. He was greeted with unprecedented joy and hope. The holidays lasted several days and were called Maslenitsa Week. Each day was designated for certain rituals:

• On Monday, housewives baked fragrant pancakes and larks, symbolizing the arrival of spring. The first pancake, according to custom, was intended for Who - the Bear God. It was believed that he protected men during hunting. On the same day, in Russian villages they built a stuffed animal from straw and old things, impaled it and carried it on a sleigh throughout the area.
• On Tuesday there was a viewing party. Early in the morning, the guys invited the girls to ride a sleigh, and in the evening the matchmakers went to the houses of the future brides to discuss the details of the upcoming wedding.
• On Wednesday, mothers-in-law invited their sons-in-law over for pancakes, showing them how much they respected them. On Thursday, folk festivities were held in all Russian villages with noisy, exciting games and fairs, where one could taste pancakes with different fillings and enjoy ancient drinks. Young people danced in circles and sang songs. The bravest ones took part in fist fights and jumped over the fire. The day ended with the capture of the “snow city”. The purpose of all the events of this day was to throw out the negative energy that had accumulated over the winter.
• On other days, older people performed all sorts of rituals aimed at obtaining a rich harvest and strengthening family ties (mother-in-law parties, sister-in-law gatherings, etc.)
• On Sunday it was customary to ask each other for forgiveness. People also went to the bathhouse, trying to cleanse themselves of accumulated dirt, put on new and clean clothes and put an end to the past. Old and dilapidated things had to be burned these days. The main event of this holiday, of course, is the burning of a straw effigy - a symbol of winter. Previously, the ashes from the scarecrow were scattered across the fields in the hope of getting a good harvest.

Currently, many traditions associated with the equinox have been lost. However, some Russian cities still hold fairs where you can sample pies, pancakes and other baked goods. Performances by folk groups and master classes on various folk crafts are organized in the main squares. For this holiday, cafes and restaurants are adjusting their menus to include folk dishes.

Signs

In the old days, when making baked goods, housewives put various household items into the baked goods. So, if household members found in the lark, for example:

• a button, this meant a quick new thing;
• coin - wealth;
• flower - foreshadowed beauty for the owner;
• berry - was for health.

If a woman was pregnant, then during Maslenitsa one could easily find out the gender of the unborn baby. If a man took the first pancake, then an heir would be born, if a woman, then the future mistress.

According to Maslenitsa, the weather for the next forty days was easily predicted. If the weather was warm for the holiday, then over the next month it was possible to forget about the frost and prepare for work on the land.

In ancient times, people were sure that on the equinox the heavens opened and their deepest desires were fulfilled. On this day it was customary to ask God for the most important things:

• about the future harvest;
• about the health and well-being of the whole family.

On this holiday it was forbidden to be sad. It was believed that on the day of the equinox everything could materialize, so crying and bad thoughts were prohibited. Joy and fun were a guarantee of good spirits for the whole year.