The Spring Equinox: A time to check in and set intentions

The equinox marks the perfect time to reflect on the season before us and focus on what we’d like to call in for the warmer weather ahead.

The arrival of spring is a lot easier to get excited about than the impending doom of winter. It’s natural for us to begin directing o

ur attention outward and becoming more social as the days get longer and warmer, but — before we get too excited, let’s take a moment to check in and rebalance.

The Spring Equinox (Falling on March 20 in the Northern Hemisphere) marks a powerful moment of balance and renewal. It’s one of two points in the year when day and night are perfectly equal. This natural event has been celebrated for centuries across cultures as a time to honour new beginnings, plant seeds, and realign ourselves with nature’s rhythms. After months of darkness and introspection during winter, this moment invites us to step into the light with renewed energy and intention. Many ancient cultures viewed this time as a sacred gateway to fertility, growth, and abundance. In Celtic traditions, it was celebrated as Ostara, a festival that honored the goddess of dawn and fertility. In Japan, the equinox is observed as a time to honor ancestors and cultivate harmony with nature.

The solstices and equinoxes are great markers in the year to reflect and gain some perspective on where we are, how far we’ve come, and what we’d like to call in. Here are some simple ways you can use the equinox to check in with yourself and create more harmony in your life:

1. Reflect and Set Intentions

Set aside some quiet time to perform the following ritual. Create a small space in your home where you can build a shrine. Light 2 candles, one to represent light, and one dark. If you like you can add seasonal flowers such as daffodils, tulips or irises, and diffuse an essential oil blend. (Here’s an idea for a clarifying and refreshing ‘spring clean’ blend: 2 drops green tea, 3 drops ylang ylang, 3 drops orange.)

Take out a journal or note pad and think about the following.

What habits or current projects do you feel positively about and would like to carry forward?

Any new habits you want to cultivate? Or projects you’d like to start working on?

What no longer serves you and can be left behind with winter?

Tip: Make your answers visible so you can see them regularly.

2. Spring Clean Your Space

There’s a reason spring cleaning is a timeless tradition. Decluttering your space clears stagnant energy and makes room for fresh, new experiences. Physically clearing your space also has the psychological effect of clearing your head mentally, and can leave you feeling lighter.

Make a plan in your agenda to tackle one area at a time, whether it’s your closet, kitchen, or laptop. You can do this over the course of days or weeks so it doesn’t feel overwhelming.

Donate or recycle items that no longer serve a purpose in your life. If you like a piece of clothing but it doesn’t quite fit or suit you, give it to a friend who would use it more.

3. Make a commitment to spend time in nature

There’s nowhere like the outdoors to fully acknowledge the presence of spring.

Take a walk without your phone and notice the signs of new life — budding flowers, greener trees, and the warmer air.

Make a commitment to doing this at a regular time on a daily basis, or at least a few times per week.

4. Plant Seeds (Literally or Metaphorically)

Planting seeds is a timeless way to welcome spring and symbolize growth.

If you have a garden or even a small balcony, plant some seasonal flowers. (Dahlias, gladioluses or lilies are perfect for this time of year.)

If gardening isn’t your thing, think of and write down the “seeds” you want to plant in your life — new skills, healthier habits, or meaningful connections.

Moving Forward with the Energy of Spring

The Spring Equinox reminds us that life is a series of cycles, and growth follows even the darkest seasons. By taking time to acknowledge this shift, we can step forward with clarity, purpose and appreciation.

What seeds will you plant this spring? 🌱