The spring equinox is a magical moment of perfect balance, when day and night share the sky in equal measure. This point of harmony is an invitation to align our lives with the great cycle of nature, to find within us this precious balance and equanimity. It is a celebration of renewal, rebirth and hope.
Spring carries within it the promise of a new beginning. After the long introspection of winter, nature awakens and reminds us that every day is an opportunity to grow, to love and to sow the seeds of a bright future. In ancestral traditions, this season was marked by profound ceremonies aimed at purifying the body and mind, releasing accumulated tension and restoring harmony.
In the Far North, where the snow still covers the ground at the end of March, the celebrations often took place in April, under the full or new moon. The spring equinox gave rise to purification rituals that were more profound than those of winter, as it symbolizes the great renewal of life. It is a time to free ourselves of all that weighs us down, to purify our relationships and to welcome the lightness of the new season.
In Native American communities, as elsewhere in the world, winter cohabitation could lead to tensions and misunderstandings. The prolonged proximity, the cold and the isolation sometimes made hearts heavy. That is why the Cherokee called this celebration the “Feast of the Renewal of Friendships”: a sacred time to purify relationships and restore harmony between beings.
The purification rituals included fasting, sweat lodges and purging with special teas or maple water, a precious ally of spring, just like birch water in Europe. But beyond the body, it was above all the heart that regained its purity. Those who had experienced conflict would go to the edge of a river or lake to express their feelings with sincerity and kindness. In the reflection of the water, everyone could see that what they blamed in the other was also a part of themselves. In this authentic exchange, hearts were calmed, bonds were renewed and joy was reborn.
The forgiveness ceremony ended with a song sanctified by the water:
Blessed and sacred water, we come once again to your banks,
Blessed and sacred water, we enter into you,
So that you may wash away the heavy thoughts that keep me from your sea of equanimity.
O Creator, our eyes become clear,
The sacred light of wisdom shines in our hearts.
May we see, may we be what we truly are,
So that all beings may achieve unity and harmony.
Throughout the day of the equinox, the sacred fire kept watch, carrying our prayers to the Heavens so that all healing of the heart may manifest. After these rituals, the sunrise ceremony marked the beginning of a day of dancing and singing, where the feet hitting the earth awakened its forces of fertility. The seeds, placed near the fire, received the benevolent energy of the community, the danses and the prayers, before being entrusted to Mother Earth in the seeding of the new gardens.
The final feast was a moment of shared joy, where everyone, purified and reconciled, rejoined the warmth of the community. The Festival of Renewed Friendships reminded us that the greatest wealth is not material, but resides in the love we share, in the strength of the bonds that unite us.
Thus, at each equinox, we celebrate not only the beauty of the world, but also the beauty of the beings who inhabit it. We honor the present moment, renewal and the deep joy of being alive, surrounded by those who matter.
Peace, Joy and Love to you on this blessed day!