Nature - Spring equinox 2025
Spring equinox
Today, 20th March 2025 is the spring (also known as vernal) equinox in the northern hemisphere. In the southern hemisphere, it’s the autumn equinox. It is one of two days in the year in which we have almost equal amounts of daylight and darkness everywhere in the world. The next time this will happen will be in September around the 22nd or 23rd when it will be our autumn equinox.
Today the Sun continues to move to the north and crosses an imaginary line above the earth’s equator. As the sun continues it’s northward passage (actually it’s the earth’s tilt, rather than the sun’s movement) our days will lengthen until they reach their peak on the summer solstice in June.
For me, the spring equinox is the start of spring and a tangible sign that we’ve left the dark days of winter behind. There is practical evidence of this all around. Our garden is full of new plants, trees are beginning to bud, small birds have returned to the feeders and it’s warm enough to sit out in the sun without a coat…!
There aren’t any Scottish customs associated with this time of year, at least none that I’m aware of. I like the sound Nowruz from Persian tradition in which the spring equinox represents purification and renewal. It has been recognized as a holiday for over 3,000 years in Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, parts of Central Asia, and the Caucasus. I hope they’re enjoying their holiday today.