What is the spring equinox? Plus, 10 ways to celebrate

Personal Growth

Feb 19

Written By Calm Editorial Team

Clinically reviewed by Dr. Chris Mosunic, PhD, RD, MBA

The spring equinox marks the moment when day and night balance. Learn what it is, why it matters, and 10 tips to help you reflect, reset, and start fresh.

There’s nothing better after a long, cold winter than the first signs of spring. Maybe you notice little flower buds poking up through the earth, or a slightly warmer afternoon breeze. Or you just start to feel your mood lift as the days get longer and more sun-drenched. It can be an exciting moment of change, and the spring equinox marks the exact moment when spring is officially upon us.

For many people, spring can feel like a natural reset point. Still having daylight after work can help people feel more invigorated and productive. And warmer temperatures might mean you’re spending more time outside getting fresh air and moving your body.

Spring can also be a great reminder that al fresco dinners, BBQs with friends, and summer travel are just around the corner. Cue: the celebratory chirping birds and blooming flowers. So, let’s get into when the spring equinox is and a few ways you can celebrate and ring in this lovely new season.

What is the spring equinox?

The spring equinox, also known as the vernal equinox, is the point in the year when the Sun crosses directly over Earth’s equator. At that moment, most places on Earth experience nearly equal hours of daylight and darkness. This happens once per hemisphere, in March for the Northern Hemisphere, and in September for the Southern Hemisphere.

The word “equinox” comes from Latin, meaning “equal night.” In many cultures, this time of year has been tied to planting, cleansing, and beginning again. Today, it can still serve as a reminder to take stock, let go of what’s not working, and shift into a new rhythm that is enhanced with more light and longer days.

When is the spring equinox this year?

In 2026, the spring equinox happens on two different dates, depending on your location:

In the Northern Hemisphere, the spring equinox falls on March 20, 2026 at 14:46 UTC (10:46 a.m. Eastern / 7:46 a.m. Pacific).
In the Southern Hemisphere, the spring equinox occurs on September 23, 2026, at 12:05 UTC.

When the equinox occurs in your hemisphere, it marks the start of spring. From that point forward, daylight increases, and many people notice changes in focus, energy, or motivation.

How to celebrate the spring equinox: 10 ways to reflect and reset

Aside from just feeling good in the mind and body, the spring equinox can serve as a natural check-in point to take stock of your life, your feelings, and your surroundings. There’s a reason many people use this time to practice “spring cleaning” or to reset. It’s a time to open windows, put away heavy coats, and get outside again.

Here are a few ways to celebrate the changing season while also using it as a personal reset.

1. Enjoy some extra sunlight

Around the equinox, mornings come earlier and evenings stretch a bit longer, which can have a real impact on how you feel. Try stepping outside at sunrise or sunset and paying attention to the light. No need to be ceremonious about it (unless you want to!), just notice the shift.

As daylight increases, you may feel excited to adjust your schedule to match it. Maybe you take your work breaks outside during the warmest part of the day. Or maybe you can take walks with friends after work. You may also find you’re sleeping better or feeling more alert during your days.

💙 Celebrate the arrival of spring with a seasonal sleep story, Spring in Bloom, on the Calm app.

2. Reconnect with nature

You don’t need a garden, local trail, or backyard to notice seasonal changes. Nature is everywhere, even in big cities. You can reconnect by eating lunch outside, walking a different route, or simply opening a window and paying attention to what you hear or feel.

Spring often brings visible change. Trees start to bud, birds return, and that chilly wind becomes a warm breeze. Give yourself some time to enjoy it. Even just five minutes a day.

3. Check in with yourself

Some people feel that the equinox is a better reset point than New Year’s Day. With the longer, warmer days, you may find yourself feeling more motivated, energized, or just happier. It’s a good time to check in with how things are going by taking intentional pauses. Give yourself time to think and reflect. That might look like journaling, sitting quietly with a cold beverage, or going for a walk without your phone.

Try thinking about:

One thing that’s been weighing on your energy or time lately
One thing that worked out better than you thought it would
One thing you’d like to pay more attention to this season

4. Try a new mindfulness or meditation practice

The equinox offers a natural pause, one that’s well-suited for mindfulness or meditation. Even a few minutes of stillness can help you notice what’s shifting inside and around you. Try sitting quietly, focusing on your breath, or doing a short outdoor meditation to connect with the season through your senses.

5. Move your body

As the season shifts, your energy might shift too. One of the easiest ways to respond is through movement. You might stretch in the morning, take a walk during lunch, or dance around your home to shake off tension.

Movement can help you feel more alert and focused, especially after a long or sluggish winter. Even a few minutes a day can get you back into a solid movement practice.

6. Clean even one corner of your space

Spring cleaning is a familiar idea, but it doesn’t need to mean deep-cleaning your entire home, unless that feels right. You can always start small. Choose one area, like a drawer, a shelf, or a flat surface that’s been gathering clutter, and clear it. Throw away what’s broken, donate what you no longer use, and wipe down what stays.

Cleaning even one space you interact with daily can help create more mental space and peace. Starting small also makes it easier to build momentum if you decide you want to keep going.

7. Engage your senses

Spring can be a very sensory season, full of smells, textures, and sounds that change with the environment. One way to mark the equinox is by doing something intentional to mark the change.

You might do something small like light a citrus-scented candle, buy fresh-cut flowers, or simply open your windows. Or you might experiment with cooking seasonal fruits and vegetables, or scheduling long walks alone or with friends.

8. Share a seasonal moment with someone

You can use the equinox as a reason to connect (or reconnect) with someone else. If it feels natural, talk about what’s changing for each of you. That might mean naming something you’re both working through or something you’re both hoping to focus on this season.

These small shared moments can make seasonal shifts feel more connected to real life, not just something happening in the background.

9. Name what’s growing for you

As spring is often treated as a fresh start, there’s no reason that can’t be reflective of the seeds you’re planting internally. Try writing down a few things you’ve made it through in the last few months. You might name a hard decision you followed through on, a difficult feeling that’s started to shift, or just the fact that you’ve kept going through an uncertain time.

Gratitude doesn’t mean pretending everything’s great. It means noticing what helped, like a friend who checked in, a daily walk, a steady routine, or a small comfort like music or quiet time.

10. Try a micro-goal or micro-resolution

Big plans and large goals often fall apart under pressure. So, instead of making a long list of goals, try choosing one small, helpful shift you can actually stick with for the next few weeks. This might be going to bed a little earlier, checking your phone less often, or saying no to one thing that’s been draining you.

Micro-resolutions work because they’re realistic. Choose something that helps you feel better day to day. If it works, you can always build from there.

What is the spring equinox FAQs

What happens on the spring equinox?

On the spring equinox, Earth reaches the point in its orbit where it’s not tilted toward or away from the Sun. As a result, the Sun appears directly above the equator, and most places on Earth experience nearly equal amounts of daylight and darkness. While it’s not a perfect 12-hour split everywhere due to atmospheric effects and your exact location, it’s the closest balance we get all year.

This astronomical event marks the beginning of spring in your hemisphere — March in the north, September in the south. It signals a shift toward longer days, more consistent light, and often a change in energy, both environmentally and personally. Many people notice a rise in motivation, activity, or restlessness around this time, which makes it a natural moment to reset or shift focus.

Why does the spring equinox matter?

The spring equinox matters because it marks a visible and measurable change in the seasons. Scientifically, it’s the point at which daylight begins to increase noticeably, leading to changes in temperature, plant growth, and animal behavior. This has shaped human traditions, agricultural cycles, and cultural calendars for thousands of years.

On a personal level, many people use the equinox as a cue to check in with themselves. It’s a time associated with starting fresh, building momentum, or making small changes after the slower months of winter. Even if you don’t follow seasonal rituals, the increase in daylight alone can affect sleep, mood, and focus, so it’s often worth noticing.

What is the difference between the spring equinox and a solstice?

Both equinoxes and solstices mark key turning points in Earth’s orbit around the Sun, but they happen under different conditions.

Equinoxes occur when the Sun is directly above Earth’s equator, leading to nearly equal day and night lengths. These happen twice a year: in March and September. In each hemisphere, one equinox signals the start of spring and the other, the start of autumn.
Solstices occur when the Sun reaches its highest or lowest point in the sky at noon, creating the longest and shortest days of the year. These happen in June and December and mark the start of summer or winter, depending on where you live.

In short, equinoxes bring balance, and solstices bring extremes.

Are there common spring equinox traditions?

Yes. Across cultures and time periods, the spring equinox has often been treated as a time to start fresh, honor balance, or prepare for the growing season. One of the most well-known traditions is Nowruz, the Persian New Year, which begins on the equinox and includes weeks of preparation, cleaning, feasting, and celebration.

In modern pagan or nature-based practices, the spring equinox is celebrated as Ostara, often involving planting seeds, decorating with symbols of fertility and growth, and marking the return of light. Other people create personal traditions—like decluttering a space, journaling intentions, or gathering for a meal—to observe the seasonal shift in a way that feels meaningful to them.

While the practices vary widely, the underlying themes are consistent: noticing the change, making space for something new, and recognizing the start of a new phase.

Is the spring equinox the same every year?

The spring equinox happens around the same time each year, but the exact date and time shift slightly. In the Northern Hemisphere, it usually falls on March 19, 20, or 21, and in the Southern Hemisphere, it typically lands around September 22 or 23.

These shifts happen because Earth’s orbit isn’t exactly 365 days, so leap years and calendar adjustments affect when the equinox occurs. If you want the precise time in your location each year, it’s best to check a reliable astronomical calendar or timekeeping site.

Why is it called the vernal equinox?

The term “vernal” comes from the Latin word vernalis, meaning “of the spring.” So the vernal equinox is the equinox that marks the beginning of spring. It’s the official astronomical name for the March equinox in the Northern Hemisphere and the September equinox in the Southern Hemisphere.

Some people use “spring equinox” instead because it’s more straightforward. Both terms describe the same event; it just depends on whether you’re using scientific or seasonal language.

How can I celebrate the spring equinox?

You don’t need a tradition or a plan to mark the equinox. You could go outside for a short walk, clean out one drawer, light a candle, or reflect on what’s changing in your daily life. If you prefer to share the moment, you could cook a meal with seasonal ingredients, talk to someone about how you’re feeling heading into the new season, or make a small resolution to carry forward.

The equinox is a useful pause point. It doesn’t require big changes or rituals, but it does offer a reason to check in with yourself and your surroundings.

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Calm Editorial Team