By The Outsiders Edinburgh community
The Spring Equinox (this year it’s Friday 20th March) is the point at which day and night are equal, and then the light begins to win.
For some, this date is more significant than 1st January.
The move to Springtime is often associated with new life, energy and innovation – it’s a great natural time for reflection, intention and gentle ambition.
In order to understand more about people’s feelings and rituals around the Equinox, we asked the community how they feel about this day.
We’ve captured the responses below in a collection of reflections full of hope, humour, and gentle wisdom.
Angela notices life returning
Angela shares how the equinox is about paying attention to the small, beautiful signs that life is returning.
“It’s such a positive time of year… I particularly love how gardens are waking up and really bursting with energy.
“The best thing about this time of year is peering into a pond or even a puddle and seeing it teeming with life!
“I’m particularly enjoying the bird song… a birdwatcher told me that birds sing when they feel safe, so the sound makes us feel safe too.”
Alice feels hopeful and enjoys unexpected gifts!
Alice’s reflections around the equinox are joy-filled and personal:
“I love the spring equinox but that’s probably because it’s my birthday!! Spring feels so full of hope for me. It feels like a promise being made good.”
She describes the delight in small surprises: “It’s exciting to see what gifts the squirrels have planted… this year it’s some new crocuses!”
“I also love the improvement in everyone’s mood. Bring on the sunshine!”
Karen steps into Spring rituals
Karen shares how creating small seasonal rituals help her to move into the new season with intention.
“I just wanted something to signal to myself, that the season is changing. In the Spring I put away our winter blankets and candles and bring out vases and flowers.
It nudges me to get out and about more. Sometimes I sit outside with big coat on for an early morning brew & open the windows up more.”
“Having little rituals like this has helped me to love and indulge in the beauty of all seasons!!”
Karen N clears space for what’s growing
Karen N brings a more reflective lens, grounded in the cycles of the Celtic year:
“The spring equinox feels like a moment to notice the new growth (not just plant life) that might be coming into being. Outdated beliefs or unprocessed past hurts can cloud out what might be trying to emerge.”
Karen shares some questions that she like to consider at this time of year:
“What is truly alive for me and needs my efforts and attention?”
“Is there something old and rotting that needs to be cleared out of the way?”
“Who am I now, as I move forward into the year…?”
This is gentle ambition in practice – not doing more, but choosing what matters.
Katie shifts into action mode!
For Katie, the equinox holds deep personal meaning: “My eldest son was born on the spring equinox, so the biggest shift of my life happened on this day.”
“I feel an immense energy shift around this time of year, my brain is in full swing and I’m moving into action-mode!”
“This year I plan to get up and climb Calton Hill for sunrise, to set some intentions and enjoy feeling this wonderful time of year.”
Richard enjoys a different kind of new year
Richard offers a poetic perspective – that perhaps this is the real new year:
Hogmanay again
Crowds in streets; forced jollity
Midnight brings sadness
Spring days grow with sun
Birds stir in the woods, buds sprout
Hearts embrace new joy
Sarah enjoys the simple pleasures
Sarah shares how Springtime activities bring her a sense of deep pleasure.
“Honestly, the first time I can wash my bed sheets and dry them outdoors is a day for celebration. I think sleeping in sheets dried outdoors is the ultimate act of self-care.”
Across all these reflections, a shared thread emerges – the spring equinox can offer a moment to notice where we are at, to clear space and to plant seeds.
With lots of events for The Outsiders on the horizon, we look forward to gathering and enjoying the Springtime together soon.
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