Tomorrow, Friday 20th March, 2015 will be Spring Equinox, also known as Vernal Equinox. It’s the astronomical calendar date of the start of Spring here in the Northern Hemisphere. Both day and night are equal, with 12 hours of day and 12 hours of night. It’s a great opportunity to take time out to reflect on the seasonal changes in our gardens.

I’m a huge fan of Maechelle Small Wright’s work in communicating with nature intelligences and when she wrote in her Perelandra Garden Workbook about the power of conscious attention to nature cycles, including the equinoxes and solstices, it really struck a chord with me. Ever since reading about how our conscious focus at these times can be of great benefit to nature, I have been conscious to take time to tune into nature at these moments, to add my focus and recognition of them to the mix.

At the solstices and equinoxes there are said to be a special dynamic energy which is activated and released into the earth through nature, to activate the coming cycle. At Spring equinox the energy dynamic shifts from one of planning to one of action, from plans and ideas into on the ground activity. (In co-creative gardening terms the emphasis shifts from the Devic level (blueprint level) to the Nature Spirit level (local nature energy level). For more information on this I suggest you read The Perelandra Garden Workbook.

Whether you follow the astronomical calendar or not, whether you believe it’s important or not, it really is a great opportunity to take stock and take a breather… and it never hurts to give a nod of recognition to nature.

Here in Ireland, the equinox always does seem to herald in a new energy, a new vitality. This year, I feel it coming in already from having spent a couple of sunny days in the garden. The sun seems stronger and warmer, even the butterflies are emerging and finally I feel ready to start getting seeds sown. I even got this pic of one of the bumble bees who was out and about today, visiting my violas.

I have finished my planting plans for the tunnel and garden for this year and I’ll give an update on my approach for that in the next couple of days.

I’ve even started preparing the beds in the Joy Garden by starting to weed and mulch them … and there is nothing quite like seeing the veg bed covered in dark crumbly compost … but, that too is for another post.

Until then, Happy Equinox if you choose to celebrate it. Even the narcissi have come out in celebration.

P.S. To find out what exact time the equinox falls at in your part of the world, click here to find out.