21 Magical Ways To Celebrate The Spring Equinox

From brisk morning walks to planting seeds and spring cleaning, there are lots of magical ways to celebrate the Spring Equinox.

It’s a season of birth, renewal and fertility that celebrates the arrival of new life after a long, dormant winter.

The spring equinox marks the end of winter and the start of spring. It occurs when the sun is right above the equator and the day and night are equally long.

It’s a time of budding flowers, sunny road trips and strawberries in season at the farmers market. A time to dust off the carpets and make new plans.

It’s also a season to celebrate the rebirth of life, reconnect with nature and discover old traditions that welcome a sunnier and livelier season.

The spring equinox is a time of new beginnings after the darkness of a cold winter. It’s a time to launch new projects and let go of bad habits, clutter and toxicity.

When is the Spring Equinox?

The spring equinox falls on March 20 in the Northern hemisphere. It’s the day when the sun sits directly above the equator – and the halfway point between the winter and summer solstice.

Equinox comes from the Latin for “equal” and “night” (or nox), meaning that the length of daylight and night are equal on this date.

Spring equinox rituals and traditions

The spring equinox is celebrated by many different cultures around the world.

It’s traditionally celebrated as Ostara in the Germanic and Celtic traditions, where it includes a seasonal feast and offerings of brightly colored eggs.

In Japan, the spring equinox is a public holiday where people visit family burial sites and honor their ancestors. In India and Nepal there’s Holi (above), where Hindus take to the streets to throw vibrant colored powder over each other.

Druids celebrate with sunrise chanting at Stonehenge, while Poland drowns effigies of Marzanna (the Slavic goddess of winter).

How to celebrate the spring equinox:

Whether the spring equinox is your beloved annual tradition – or whether you’re celebrating for the first time – here are some magical ways to welcome the arrival of spring.

1. Start a bullet journal

Get organized for spring and clear your mental clutter with a bullet journal that keeps your to-do lists, daily habits and reminders all in one convenient place.

You’re far more likely to achieve your goals when you write them down. And a bullet journal is the perfect place to set and maintain your goals.

Use your bullet journal to record streaks – like how many days in a row you kept up with your daily journaling or exercise routine. Studies show you’re far more likely to keep those streaks going when you track them on paper.

Create your own set of shorthand symbols in your bullet journal to indicate tasks that have either been completed, scheduled, moved or marked irrelevant.

Things to include in your bullet journal:

grocery lists and meal plans
brainstorming sessions and ideas
to-do lists
habit trackers
daily gratitude lists
exercise and fitness trackers
career goals
sleep trackers
budgets and personal finance
notes and events
self-care trackers
books to read

2. Set some new intentions

Spring is actually a much better time to set intentions for the new year than the cold and lazy days of December.

Spring is the season of new beginnings and rebirth. So use the energy of this season to revisit what’s most important to you.

If you made New Year’s resolutions, then ask yourself if they’re still relevant. Where have you made progress? And where do you need to make more effort?

Intentions are a great way to help you focus on what’s most important and leave behind any time-draining habits as you welcome the spring season.

Set your intentions with inspiring and positive phrases that align with your values. Avoid phrases like “lose weight” and “stop doomscrolling” with motivating phrases like “spend more time outdoors” and “start a new hobby.”

3. Get planting

Plant some seeds to brighten your home and celebrate the renewal of life in spring.

If you don’t have a green thumb (or if you’re short on space) then get few potted plants and place them on a sunny windowsill. Get a palm or some pothos for your bedroom to help purify the air and add some new life to your home.

Research says that just looking at the color green reduces stress levels and improves your mood.

And bringing potted plants into your home is an easy way to reap the benefits of nature.

If you have a balcony or a garden, sow some seeds to celebrate the rebirth of nature. Plant a small herb garden to add a dash of green to your meals. Dig in, smell the soil and watch the seedlings grow.

Taking care of a garden is a great way to boost mindfulness and spend more time outdoors.

4. Go on a nature walk

Shed your winter layers and enjoy the birdsongs and sunshine of the spring season with a long nature walk at your local park.

Walking is a great way to get your body moving with some low-impact exercise and awaken your muscles after a long winter.

And nature walking is a great option if you hate the gym and can’t get yourself motivated to exercise at home.

Plug into your favorite podcast on your headphones and enjoy the spring air with a brief stroll through your neighborhood streets or nearby park.

A leisurely nature walk is so enjoyable that you’ll forget that you’re actually exercising.

5. Visit a farmer’s market

Load up on seasonal fruits and veggies at your local farmer’s market to get in touch with nature’s annual rhythm.

Shopping seasonally helps you appreciate nature’s bounty and the changing seasons in a way that a large, generic supermarket never could.

A farmer’s market also gets you in touch with your community and local brands making seasonal products.

Use your haul of fruits and veggies to prepare a seasonal salad, decorate your home with some greenery and adorn your Ostara altar.

What to shop for:

arugula
beets
fresh herbs
peas
spring onions
grapefruit
lemons
strawberries
pineapple
rhubarb

6. Indulge in a seasonal feast

The spring equinox is a time to celebrate fertility and abundance with fresh citrus and fragrant herbs.

Indulge in a seasonal feast to welcome the season – whether that’s a cozy meal on your own or a sunny picnic with loved ones.

Spring is a beautiful time for lighter and greener dishes after a long winter of heavy meals and pantry foods. It’s a great way to mark the passage of winter towards rebirth and awakening.

Indulge in a spring equinox feast to reawaken your taste buds with early spring greens, fish, eggs and herbs.

If you don’t like cooking, explore a farmer’s market for local goodies or treat yourself to a meal at a restaurant with a seasonal menu.

Must-try spring equinox recipes:

7. Get outdoors

Feel the returning sun on your face. Spot the first green buds of the trees. Listen to the songbirds chirp in the morning.

Enjoy the outdoors as the days get longer and warmer.

Cast off your winter sweaters and set off on a hike.

Take an epic road trip to explore unfamiliar landscapes. Or just go on a walk at your local park.

Get in tune with nature during this gorgeous season of budding leaves and bright flowers. Slow down and notice the changes of the new season – the warmer sunshine, the awakened life and the chirping birds.

Take a moment to appreciate the nature that’s easily missed during a busy daily routine. Make it a springtime goal to spend more time in nature.

8. Declutter your closet

Fold away your knitwear and pull out your breezy t-shirts to prep your closet for the new spring season.

Take 15 minutes to try on a few items you haven’t worn in awhile. Set aside any clothes that don’t fit for donation.

Decluttering your closet in 15-minute sessions is a lot more doable than a complete overhaul.

A good declutter:

gives you extra closet space
boosts your confidence
lowers stress and anxiety
saves you time in the morning getting dressed.

And it will motivate you to declutter other parts of your home like those messy kitchen drawers and stacks of unread books.

9. Start a new hobby

Spring is a season of rebirth and new beginnings. Use that buzzing energy in the air to start a new slow living hobby or pursue a long-lost passion.

Is there an online course you’ve been meaning to do? Or maybe you’ve been wanting to try your hand at some watercolor painting?

Set aside an hour in the evening (or on a weekend) to just go for it. And don’t worry if you’re any good – the result isn’t the point.

A slow living hobby sparks your creativity, boosts your mindfulness and helps you relax. It’s a time to get your mind off your everyday worries and focus your energy on something else.

Springtime slow living hobbies:

knitting
baking
gardening
collage making
reading
yoga and meditation
creative writing
puzzles
manual photography
watercolor painting
nature journaling

10. Decorate your home in spring colors

Bring some of spring’s vibrant greenery inside and decorate your home in spring colors to energize your space and boost your positivity.

Clear away any clutter on your kitchen counter and use that space for a bowl of fresh lemons or a vase with wildflowers. Change the wallpaper on your computer and phone to a spring-themed landscape.

Spring colors include bright shades of greens, yellows and pastels. Use these colors in throw pillows, accessories and vases to bring fresh accents to your home.

Create a vibrant space that you’ll love to spend time in with potted bulbs, outdoor fairy lights and linen throws.

A bright and decluttered home boosts your energy as you enter the spring season of warmer days.

11. Do a digital detox

Go into the spring season with a focused mind that’s not distracted by constant pings of social media notifications.

If you’ve spent the winter doomscrolling and racking up hours of social media time, then it’s time to hit the refresh button.

Hours of screentime are well-known to cause depression and anxiety, even if they do give you that initial dopamine boost.

The spring equinox is the perfect time to step back, get honest with yourself about those bad habits and take back control of your time.

Digital detox to-dos:

unsubscribe from any unnecessary newsletters
create folders in your inbox to organize old emails
schedule a phone-free weekend with no social media
try a new hobby for an hour in the evening when you’d otherwise be scrolling

Don’t be discouraged if you get anxious without your screens. Hours of screentime deteriorates your attention span and it takes time to build it up again.

12. Read a spring-themed book

Get in the mood for the spring equinox with a spring-themed book that makes you appreciate the beauty of the new season.

Kick back under a tree at your local park – or on your balcony in the evening – with some books that include nature writing and spring-time activities.

A great springtime novel teaches you to slow down and see the beauty of a roaring countryside landscape or city park in bloom.

Spring is also a great time to re-visit some childhood favorites that tell coming-of-age stories set amid the spring blossoms.

Books with spring vibes:

The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters tells the story of a family that travels to Maine every summer to pick blueberries. It has beautiful descriptions of nature.

The Fury by Alex Michaelides is a short and sweet novel that’s set on a private Greek Island. It’s a murder story that’s perfect if you need a gripping tale to get back into reading.

Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery is a beautiful childhood favorite with great descriptions of the long winter and blooming spring.

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett is another childhood favorite with enchanting descriptions and magical atmosphere.

13. Meditate

Meditation is a simple habit that’s a miracle cure for depression, anxiety, winter blues and low motivation.

It’s free and it only takes about 5 minutes a day. But it’s not always easy to sit still or make meditation a daily habit!

If you don’t meditate regularly – and if you find it difficult to get into the routine – then try a guided meditation that will guide you through the process.

Gratitude meditations are a great way to slow down and give thanks for everything in your life as you enter a new season.

A meditation session lets you enter the new season refreshed and hopeful about the future while appreciating what you have.

Guided meditations to try:

Mindful: A Meditation Series (Long Guided Spring Meditation) is a calming session that lets you be more present in the new season.

Spring • Beautiful Relaxing Music with a Flute, Cello, Guitar & Piano is a 3-hour video of relaxing music and beautiful springtime visuals.

14. Do some sunrise yoga

Get up early and catch the first rays of sun at your local park or out on your patio. Awaken your body with some easy stretches to greet the new day.

If you spend most of your day hunched over a desk, then the spring equinox is a great chance to hit refresh.

Awaken your body with a slow yoga session full of deep stretches and breath work to start the new day with calm and energy.

If you haven’t moved your body in awhile, yoga is a gentle way to refresh your body and stretch out the muscles that lay dormant in winter.

A yoga session is a great reminder to pay attention to your breath and stay mindful throughout the day. Moving your body in the morning boosts your energy and optimism for the rest of the day. It helps you to stay positive and motivated to begin a new season.

Spring equinox yoga sessions:

30 min Spring Equinox Yoga – Awakening The Heart includes backbends, core strength exercises and breathwork to get you energized.

Bloom Into Being | 25 Min Spring Equinox Flow is an inspiring yoga flow filmed on top of a mountain on the island of Lanzarote.

15. Start a new project

Harness the energy of the spring equinox and start a new project that you’ve been long putting off.

If you’ve been procrastinating with home repairs, dentist appointments, decluttering or any other unpleasant tasks, then now’s the time.

Just get them over with and you’ll feel a lot lighter and pulled-together for the new season.

Review your to-do list and set yourself a few main priorities to avoid overwhelm. Cross off anything on the list that’s no longer relevant – or anything that you’ve over-committed to.

It’s time to set yourself boundaries, learn to stop people-pleasing and start on the projects you’ve been avoiding.

16. Create an Ostara altar

Create a small alter in your home filled with fresh spring flowers, seasonal offerings and anything that reminds you of the sacredness of this season of rebirth.

Your alter is your personal space for meditation, journaling and reflection. And it’s a beautiful reminder of nature’s bounty.

Place your alter in a quiet, sunny corner of your home, whether that’s a windowsill or corner table.

Items for an Ostara altar:

seasonal fruits like strawberries, cherries, lemons and grapefruit
colors like yellow, lavender and green
herbs like lemongrass, marjoram and myrtle
crystals like jasper, rose quarts and citrine
painted eggs
any items that have personal meaning to you during spring
flowers like daffodils, roses and tulips

17. Make a springtime wreath

Bring the blossoms and colors of spring indoors with a springtime wreath full of flowers, pastel eggs, butterflies and ribbons.

Wreaths aren’t just for Christmas – and they’re a great tradition to add some spring vibes to your home and reinvigorate your living space.

Make your wreath seasonal by adding springtime colors like yellows, whites and pastels. Add some whimsical flair to your wreath with some butterflies, birds and eggs into the mix. Top it off with a few drops of essential oil (like orange blossom or jasmine) to fill your home with the aromas of the season.

Or make a simple wreath from the leftover cuttings gathered from your garden.

18. Do some nature journaling

Spring is a great time to get outdoors, observe the rebirth of the natural world and jot your observations down in a nature journal.

A nature journal raises your awareness of the nature that surrounds you. And it improves your mindfulness and well-being by forcing you to slow down and focus your mind.

Even if you live in a big city, you’ll be surprised how much is going on all around you – from the chirping birds to the green buds on the trees.

Use your nature journal for some quick and simple sketches of the plants and animals around you. Jot down some notes about how nature changes over time – and your personal reflections on how these landscapes make you feel.

Don’t worry if you’re not any good at sketching. Learn to enjoy the process and let go of perfectionism.

19. Deep clean your home

Do some spring cleaning and deep clean your house to boost your energy and dust off the stagnation of winter.

Spring cleaning is a popular annual rite – and for good reason. Dusting off your living space gives you a new lease on life and a much-needed refresh after winter.

Enter the new season with renewed energy that’s unencumbered by chaos, dust and clutter. Clean your windows to let in more sunshine and declutter your kitchen by getting rid of any expired products.

A clean, decluttered space does wonders for your well-being. And it will make you feel more optimistic and less overwhelmed.

Dust off your crown molding and throw any curtains into the laundry. These areas don’t often get much attention but they’ll make your home gleam.

Finish off by lighting a scented candle or spray some citrusy essential oils to freshen up the air.

20. Light a bonfire

Cultures across the world integrate fire into their spring equinox celebrations as a symbol of purification. And it’s still a popular tradition that brings friends together over smores.

So get outside and light a bonfire to bring in the new season – or light a candle and some incense. Write down your intentions for spring and then watch them burn as you gather warmth and strength from the fire.

Bonfires are a spring equinox tradition that date back to ancient times. Persians and Zoroastrians celebrate the ancient fire-jumping holiday of Chaharshanbe Sori that dates back to 2600 BCE.

They build a tall bonfire and then jump over it as a way of facing their fear. During this rite, the fire takes the sickness and problems of winter and in turn gives off warmth, health and energy.

21. Make a fruit salad

Citrus fruits are in season and a vibrant fruit salad is the perfect way to celebrate the arrival of spring.

It’s also a perfect, light and juicy snack to reinvigorate your taste buds after a long winter of hearty soups and pantry dishes.

Throw in some oranges, kiwi, pineapple and grapefruit to add some color to the bowl.

If you’ve been overindulging during the Christmas holidays, then a mouthwatering fruit salad is the perfect way to reset and enjoy some natural flavors.

Spring fruit salad recipes to try:

Fresh Spring Fruit Salad with Sweet Citrus Dressing

Spring Fruit Salad

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