The Northern Hemisphere’s spring equinox is usually on March 20 or 21, but this year it will occur at 8:06 p.m. MDT on March 19.
Scientifically, equinoxes mark the point in the Earth’s orbit where the Earth crosses the celestial equator. The two hemispheres receive equal amounts of sunlight, leading to a day and night of almost equal length. For us in the north, our day on March 19 will be 12 hours and eight minutes long. The path the sun follows through the sky will also change, moving north.
Days are getting warmer, nights are shorter, plants are blooming and nature is coming back to life. Birds and butterflies will start to migrate north, following the sun. Celebrations of the end of winter occur all over the world.
The Iranian New Year, Nowruz, takes place on the March equinox. The holiday involves spring cleaning beginning weeks beforehand, bonfires, singing and a 13-day celebration. Hindus in India celebrate the vernal equinox during Holi, a festival celebrating the legendary triumphs of good over evil. The festival involves bonfires, dancing and throwing balloons filled with colorful paint.
Buddhists in Japan celebrate Higan three days before and after the equinox. Practitioners will return to their hometowns and honor their ancestors. The myth that you can balance an egg on the vernal equinox originated in China, where people balanced the symbol of fertility to bring good luck.
Druids and Wiccans celebrate Ostara at Stonehenge, greeting the sun and honoring the earth. Others will paint eggs, plant seeds, bake hot cross buns and enjoy nature.
For the ancient Maya, the spring equinox marked the return of the Sun Serpent, a god of life and renewal. Each year on the equinox, the sun lines up with the Kukulcán pyramid in Chichén Itzá, creating a shadow of a snake slithering down the side of the pyramid.
So, how can we celebrate the arrival of spring in Moscow? If you’re looking for events, there are a few happening around town and the Palouse. On Saturday, March 23, the Palouse Land Trust is hosting a walk at the Neuman Conservation Forest in Troy. The event is at 1 p.m. and is family-friendly, though they ask that you don’t bring your dog. More information can be found on their website.
Also, on March 23 is “Spring Pubbin’ in the Greenhouse” at the Palouse-Clearwater Environmental Institute. The event starts at 5 p.m. and will feature music provided by Under the Wire, drinks by Hunga Dunga and food by Humble Burger. New members of PCEI will get a free drink and all members will receive a raffle ticket. The Institute will share its current projects and future plans, as well as some volunteer opportunities. Read more on the website.
Finally, the local nonprofit Moscow Central Lions Club is hosting its Annual Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, March 30 at Moscow’s East City Park. The event is free and intended for children 12 and under. More than 1000 eggs will be hidden around the park, containing candy and other prizes. The hunt will begin at 10 a.m. . More information is available on the Moscow Chamber of Commerce website.
I’m sure many of you have already been enjoying the fantastic weather this past week. Students and residents are beginning to get outside, plant flowers and maybe even start a garden. Try taking a walk through the UI arboretum or around town. Listen to birds singing and see how many different animals you can spot. There are so many ways to celebrate spring in Moscow.
Dakota Steffen can be reached at [email protected].