Hi friends!
How was your week? Are you feeling the teeter tauter fluctuations in your body and mind as we enter Kapha season? One day it's wet and muddy, the next it's windy and snowing. I'm curious to know if you feel more attuned to these subtle changes now that you have a greater understanding of Ayurveda. Have you found ways to avoid feeling "off"? Let me know, I'm curious!
Harmonizing with nature keeps us in physical and mental balance, and marking the seasonal equinoxes is an important part of tuning into the natural changes happening around us on our beautiful planet. Spring is nature's new year and every new year deserves a celebration, don't you think-especially this year! We have endured so much, but now, we have reasons to feel hopeful with multiple vaccines out and the return of the sun!
What exactly IS the Spring Equinox?
According to the Farmers Almanac, "In the Northern Hemisphere, the March equinox (aka spring equinox or vernal equinox) occurs when the Sun crosses the equator line, heading north in the sky. This event marks the start of spring in the northern half of the globe. After this date, the Northern Hemisphere begins to be tilted more toward the Sun, resulting in increasing daylight hours and warming temperatures. (In the Southern Hemisphere, it’s the opposite: the March equinox marks the start of autumn, as the Southern Hemisphere begins to be tilted away from the Sun.) Equinoxes are the only two times a year that the Sun rises due east and sets due west for all of us on Earth! The official Equinox is March 20th at 5:37am EDT. Remember, our TIME CHANGE in Cleveland is this Sunday, March 14, at 2am. Start going to bed a little earlier each night this week so you don't feel much difference when you lose an hour.
Learning about the rituals and celebrations around solar and celestial events has always fascinated me. Has anyone been to Chichen Itza? (Image above) Catherine Boeckmann from the Farmers Almanac writes "One of the most famous ancient Spring equinox celebrations was at Chichen Itza in Mexico. The Mayans built a huge pyramid around the year A.D. 1000. The play of the Sun’s light on it signals the beginning of the seasons. On the spring equinox, it looks like a huge snake is slithering down the steps. Mayans called this day “the return of the Sun serpent.”
What can you do to celebrate SPRING?
Create a spring ritual. Dedicate a day for your Spring New Year Celebration. Start the day with sun salutations, then, take a walk with a friend or with family to OBSERVE nature and talk about what you see changing around you and within you. After a great walk, GATHER fresh, local ingredients and COOK a delicious meal together to be enjoyed around a beautiful spring-themed table!
Dedicate a day for your Ayurvedic dinacharya (oiling, massage and self-care)
Clean and declutter
Feed the wildllife
Anything! Have fun!
Have a great week!
~Julie