2024 Spring Equinox Newsletter

Celebrate the Green Fire my friends,

This year in the Northern Hemisphere, March 19th is the Spring Equinox. It is the time when day and night will be equal in length at the equator as the sun moves into Aries, the first sign of the Zodiac.  Also known as Ostara or Eostre (the origin of the name Easter) light and dark will be balanced. It is the New Year for Persians as well as the Earth Honoring spiritual traditions that follow the ancient ways.

In these ancient traditions the Vernal Equinox is considered the time of Green Fire. It refers not only to sap rising, but also to all the electrical energy pulsing through the growing plants. This is not a metaphor. My electrician husband told me that the green fire is literally electrical, just like our nervous systems. Humans and plants have the same oscillation frequency, which is why we can align with the energy of plants when we pay attention. I have long felt that this mutual receptivity is a survival strategy for humans, which enabled us to heal ourselves with plants as medicine, long before modern medical interventions. In addition, the plants are and always have been our teachers not only for healing but also for discovering how to be a human living in harmony with Mother Earth.

Please read Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer. Robin is an indigenous scientist, botanist and a bestselling author. When I feel into her stories, my understanding expands enormously; especially of significance is that plants represent our continuing life as a species. Not only does Robin make each chapter a very compelling story, but also her perspective as both a scientist and a member of tribal councils allows us to truly understand much of what was misunderstood before. She is willing to share what was never previously spelled out: the deep indigenous plant knowledge that could persuade all of us to change our practices and policies. Now, it is crucial for our survival.

Here’s my favorite take away from this beautifully written book: we are meant to have a reciprocal relationship with the plants. They should grow together as they do in the wild. Plants love diversity and grow together for a reason. It’s a very different kind of harmony, they do not want to be with only their kind, they welcome the variety of nutrients that other types of plants offer, including a variety of trees and fungi. They share with each other, and offer what nutrients they have to help out their neighbors. Many of the native origin stories include plants who helped and taught humans when they arrived on Earth. This is why indigenous people respect and value plants and continue the mutually advantageous cooperation.

I hope you will spend some time in wild nature, whether it be a protected forest, fields or water sources such as lakes, rivers, springs and ponds. Give deep thanks and reverence to the plants for their help and learn more about their wisdom.

Enjoy the time of Green Fire, 

Much Love, Linda