Vernal equinox comes from the Latin word vernare, "to bloom."

The Spring Equinox is upon us. So many rituals and ceremonies and practices surround it. This is a time of year when people around the world celebrate the possibility of new growth and fresh beginnings, and as the beginning of the astrological year, many consider this the true start to the new year. It is the season of Passover, Easter and Ramadan (although that changes every year.)

The seasonal cycle of the year is created by Earth’s annual orbit around the sun. Solstices are the extreme points as Earth’s axis tilts toward or away from the sun—when days and nights are longest or shortest.

On equinoxes, days and nights are equal in all parts of the world. Four cross-quarter days roughly mark the midpoints in between solstices and equinoxes. We commemorate these natural turning points in the Earth’s cycle. Seasonal celebrations of most cultures cluster around these same natural turning points.

It's a time to celebrate rites of passage by doing special rituals to welcome in the vernal equinox. I like this one: In her book Magical Gardens, the late spiritual activist and poet Patricia Monaghan suggests writing wishes for the season on ribbons, then using the ribbons to tie bouquets of flowers. Give the flowers to friends—and even strangers - it is a wonderful way to brighten someone’s day.

And let’s pray for peace - all over the world.