Days of the summer solstice and equinox. The winter solstice has arrived - what does it mean? Signs for the summer solstice

Even our ancestors, who were far from science, knew about two solstices and two equinoxes. But the essence of these “transitional” stages in the annual cycle became clear only with the development of astronomy. Next, let's take a closer look at what these two concepts mean.

Solstice - what is it?

From an everyday point of view, the winter solstice marks the shortest winter day of the year. After this, things move closer to spring and the amount of daylight gradually increases. As for the summer solstice, everything is the other way around - at this time the longest day is observed, after which the amount of daylight hours is already reduced. What is happening in the solar system at this time?

The whole point here is that the axis of our planet is at a slight slope. Because of this, the ecliptic and the equator of the celestial sphere, which is quite logical, will not coincide. That is why the seasons change with such deviations - the day is longer, and the day is very short. In other words, if we consider this process from the point of view of astronomy, then the solstice day is the moments of the largest and smallest, respectively, deviation of the axis of our planet from the Sun.

Equinox

In this case, everything is extremely clear from the name of the natural phenomenon itself - day is almost equal to night. On such days, the Sun passes through the intersection of the equator and the ecliptic.

The spring equinox, as a rule, falls on March 20 and 21, but the winter equinox can rather be called autumn, since the natural phenomenon occurs on September 22 and 23.

How does this affect people's lives?

Even our ancestors, who were not particularly competent in matters of astronomy, knew that something special was happening these days. It should be noted that it is during these periods that some pagan holidays occur, and the agricultural calendar is built precisely on the basis of these natural processes.

As for holidays, we still celebrate some of them:

• the date of the shortest winter day is Christmas for people of the Catholic faith, Kolyada;
• the period of the spring equinox - the week of Maslenitsa;
• the date of the longest summer day - Ivan Kupala, a celebration that came to us from the Slavs, is considered pagan, but no one is going to forget about it;
• The day of the winter equinox is a harvest festival.

And even in our information and technologically advanced 21st century, we celebrate these days, thereby not forgetting traditions.

The winter solstice occurs on the shortest day and longest night of the year, when the sun rises at its lowest in the sky. The phenomenon occurs when the Earth's rotation axis tilts away from the Sun. highest value. In the southern hemisphere, the December solstice is summer, and the June solstice (June 21) is winter. The further north the region is located, the shorter the daylight hours will be.

The length of daylight is not related to temperature and the longest night of the year will not be the coldest - extreme cold will arrive only in January-February.

Different cultures treated the winter solstice in their own way, but for most peoples, from ancient times it was regarded as a rebirth, and holidays, meetings, rituals and other celebrations were held at this time. The importance of this phenomenon in ancient cultures is evidenced by the layout of late Neolithic and Bronze Age archaeological sites such as Stonehenge in the UK and Newgrange in Ireland. The main axes of both of these monuments were carefully aligned along a visual line indicating the winter solstice sunrise (Newgrange) and the winter solstice sunset (Stonehenge).

The winter solstice was extremely important in the life of the primitive community, since people were not sure that they had been well prepared for winter during the previous nine months, and that they would be able to survive this time of year. From January to April, famine was common.

In temperate climates, the midwinter festival was the last holiday before the onset of heavy winter period. Most livestock were slaughtered at this time because there was nothing to feed them during the winter, so the winter solstice was the only period of the year when the most fresh meat was consumed. At this time, most of the wine and beer made during the warm season was finally ready to drink. The festivities most often began on the eve of the solstice.

The days of the winter solstice are celebrated in almost all world cultures.

Christians who have switched to the Gregorian calendar celebrate the Nativity of Christ on these days. Orthodoxy uses the Julian calendar, in which the date of Christmas coincided with the winter solstice 2,000 years ago, but has now shifted later by half a month. The Slavs celebrated the national holiday Kolyada on the day of the winter solstice, the Germanic peoples celebrated Yule, and the Romans until the 3rd century celebrated Sol Invictus, the “invincible sun.”

In the USA, in the state of Illinois, there is a group of mounds of the North American Indians Cahokia. There are temple pyramids there, similar to Aztec buildings. Among them, a structure made of wooden pillars arranged in a circle stands out - Woodhenge. Eat researchers, who believe that the locals from here watched the sun rise during the winter solstice. The local Indians revered the sun as a deity and, obviously, this affected their architecture.

Zuni Indians from the New Mexico region pray and fast for several days before the solstice, and at sunrise the ritual shalako dances begin, in which 12 dancers in special masks participate.

“The Zuni believe that their ceremony is important not only for the well-being of the tribe, but also for the whole world,” notes religious researcher Tisa Wenger.

In Scandinavia, the winter solstice is marked by a festival of lights in honor of the Christian martyr Saint Lucia. China celebrates the Dongzhi holiday, which welcomes the return of longer days and the corresponding increase in "positive energy." In Japan, bonfires are lit on Mount Fuji to encourage the return of the sun. During the winter solstice, a widespread practice is to take warm baths scented with citrus fruits, which the Japanese believe ward off colds and promote good health. Many public baths and hot springs leave citrus in the water during the winter solstice.

It is interesting that after the solstice it is incorrect to associate the increase in day with the morning hours: the first days after the solstice, the sun rises even a little later, but the increase in daylight occurs due to slightly later sunsets, that is, the day begins to increase in the evening.

This happens because the Earth, due to the elongation of the orbit in which it revolves around the Sun, turns out to be a little closer to the Sun in winter and begins to move faster, according to Kepler’s second law, which describes the movement of bodies in an elliptical orbit. The moment of closest approach to the Sun, or perihelion, and the moment of solstice can be several days apart (the date of perihelion, which can vary in the range of one to two days, is also affected by the rotation of the Moon). All this, combined with the Earth’s own daily rotation, gives the effect of an “evening” increase in daylight hours.

There are solstice on other planets of the solar system - the tilt of the rotation axis relative to the ecliptic leads to the presence and change of seasons, equinoxes, winter and summer solstices.

Changing the amount of light affects the human body. In particular, more people with schizophrenia are born in months when it is at its lowest. Previously it was assumed that this was due to a lack of vitamin D in the mother's body, but, according to research specialists from the Psychoanalytic Institute of Cincinnati, the problem may be melatonin and the mother’s body temperature.

By the winter solstice, the concentration of melatonin in the mother’s body reaches a maximum, and body temperature at night, on the contrary, decreases to a minimum.

All this affects the development of the fetal brain - the size of the hippocampus decreases, dysfunction of the ventral striatum (the “objection center”) is observed, and the transmission of dopamine, associated with cognitive functions, satisfaction, feelings of love and affection, is disrupted. Researchers suggest that the negative effects can be avoided if pregnant women compensate for the lack of sun with artificial light sources.

The time of year also affects the functioning of the already formed brain. Scientists from the University of Liege have found that brain activity associated with sustained attention is maximum in June, during the summer solstice, and minimum at the winter solstice. The load associated with short-term memory reached record levels in the fall and decreased by the spring equinox.

Solstice(also solstice) - an astronomical event, the moment of passage of the center of the Sun through the points of the ecliptic, most distant from the equator of the celestial sphere and called solstice points.

Equinox- an astronomical phenomenon when the center of the Sun, in its apparent movement along the ecliptic, crosses the celestial equator. When observing the Earth from space at the equinox, the terminator passes along the geographic poles of the Earth and is perpendicular to the Earth's equator.

These dates were among the most revered in the pre-Christian period. Solstice, rotation, equinox, solstice are the names of solar holidays, which are also called the four hypostases of the Slavic Dazhdbog, which is the Sun itself - the son of Svarog.

• Kolyada– winter solstice (December 21-22)
• Maslenitsa or Komoeditsy– vernal equinox (March 21-22)
• Kupailo (Kupala)– summer solstice (June 21-22)
• Radogoshch (Svetovit, Veresen, Tausen)– autumnal equinox (September 22-23)

Kolyada– winter solstice or the longest night of the year. During this period, the young sun Kolyada replaces the old sun Svetovit in his post. That is why the daylight hours begin to increase from this day on. Replaced by the church on Christmas Day.

Maslenitsa or Komoeditsy– the day of the vernal equinox (day and night are equal in time), farewell to winter, burning of the effigy of Madder, welcoming spring and the Slavic New Year. The date March 21-22 is also the beginning of astronomical spring. From this day on, the day becomes longer than the night. Yarilo-Sun replaces Kolyada and drives away Winter-Madder. Traditionally, this bracelet was celebrated for two whole weeks.

Kupaylo- day of the summer solstice. The longest day and shortest night of the year. The last day of Rusal Week or Rusalia. Kupala is one of the oldest holidays, which has kept many traditions and customs unchanged to this day, for example: the funeral of Yarila, who is replaced by the God of the summer sun Kupala, the collection of medicinal herbs, the search for fern flowers, etc. Kupailo is also a great holiday, which is now replaced by the church on the birthday of John the Baptist.

Radogoshch(Svetovit, Veresen, Tausen) - the day of the autumnal equinox (day and night are equal in time). On this day, the Sun-Old Man Svetovit comes into his own. The night is getting longer than a day. It is both a solar holiday and a celebration of the end of the harvest. Replaced by the church for the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Position of the sun on solstice days

The periods between solstices are the times when the sun moves either higher above the horizon or lower.

Astronomers note that the movement of the hot star is similar to a sine wave:

• after the winter solstice it rises higher every day
• after the summer - on the contrary, it drops lower

The angle created by the sun and the earth's horizon, in other words, the astronomical longitude of the hot star, is:

• 90° in June
• 270° in December

In astronomy, from the moment the Sun enters the zodiac sign of Taurus in June, summer begins, and winter begins in the sign of Sagittarius in December. A few days before and after the solstice, the hot celestial body “freezes” at one point at noon.

However, you won't see the sun directly overhead on the solstices.

If you are a resident of the northern hemisphere of the Earth, then:

• go 23.5° above the equator before the summer solstice to see the hot planet vertically above you,
• visit 23.5°S to see a similar phenomenon during the winter solstice.

Position of the sun at the equinoxes

The equinoxes represent a certain milestone when the sun moves from the northern to the southern hemisphere in the fall and vice versa in the spring. This is for the part of our planet that is located above the equator. These days the sun directs its rays in such a way that they evenly heat the entire part of the Earth facing it.

Another feature of these calendar dates is that the day before and after, as well as during the equinox, the sun rises clearly in the east and sets in the west. True, this phenomenon is typical only for 23.5° north or south latitude. In other areas there is a slight shift to the north or south.

Equinoxes and solstices: magic

These 4 days of the year have maximum energy not only because of the change of times. The Slavs knew this very well and harmoniously structured their lives in such a way as to streamline and develop their relationships with nature.

A common feature during the celebrations of all solstices and equinoxes among our ancestors were mass celebrations.

The whole village gathered together:

• were carried out different games and fun
• there were round dances
• everyone ate
• praised the gods
• commemorated ancestors

Everything happened fun, easily and naturally.

• We still celebrate the summer solstice as Kupala. We are looking for the treasured fern flower in the hope of good luck and the fulfillment of our cherished dreams.
• On the autumn equinox, the ancestors held a harvest festival. Adults cleaned the house, yard, and fields. Children decorated their homes with bunches of rowan berries. It was believed that she would protect the house and its inhabitants from evil all year long.

The winter solstice, or the birth of Kolyada - the young sun, was celebrated on a special scale. There was a place here:

• fortune telling about the betrothed, marriage, weather for the next year, harvest
• caroling and dressing up as animals to scare away dark forces
• jumping over a fire to burn all resentment, envy and similar sins

Three days before and the same number after Kolyada had special power. Housewives put things in order in their heads and homes, and brought health and well-being into the life of the family. They watched the events of 12 days after Kolyada in order to understand what the coming year would bring for the family.

• The day of the spring equinox had special power. Nature was awakening from its winter sleep, New Year for work on the ground.
• At this time pancakes were being baked and it was Maslenitsa. But it lasted 2 weeks - one before, the second after the equinox.
• Housewives baked larks - small birds made from sweet dough.
• In the evening, everyone jumped over the fires to renew themselves for a new round of life. For example, if an unmarried girl jumped, then she will definitely become the mother of a hero.

The summer solstice marks the beginning of the calendar summer in accordance with astronomical concepts. In June, the Sun reaches its zenith at the northernmost point of the Tropic of Cancer.

The summer and winter solstices are characterized by the greatest distance of the Sun from the celestial equator. At the same time, in summer the shortest night of the year is observed, and in winter, on the contrary, the longest.

And if the vernal equinox is a sign of the beginning of spring, then the summer solstice is the middle of summer, its zenith. Some peoples still celebrate many holidays on these days:

• In fact, the solstice days are probably the oldest surviving holidays. Thus, references to the longest and shortest days of the year were found on the famous disk from Nerba, which is believed to have been created no later than 1600 BC.

  Even for Neolithic people, solstices were important. This can be seen in the soil traces of some circular structures, such as at Goseck in Saxony-Anhalt, between 4800 and 4600 BC, where two of the three gates are aligned with those points on the horizon where the sun rose or set on the winter solstice. Well, of course, we shouldn’t forget about the fantastic Stonehenge in Great Britain.

  It is believed that ancient people used such structures to calculate the days of the equinoxes and solstices, but most likely this is not entirely true. To calculate the summer solstice, a simple stick stuck vertically into the ground is enough. And if its shadow on a summer afternoon is the shortest of all recorded, then the solstice has arrived.

  And all ancient stone buildings were most likely sanctuaries.

  Summer solstice: dates

  Modern man does not need any special devices in order to find out the dates of the solstices and equinoxes. Astronomers have long ago calculated everything several years in advance:

  However, the summer solstice does not always fall on June 21, for example, in leap years it shifts, but in general, the dates float from June 20 to June 22.

  A little history of the solstice

  Our ancestors took solar holidays, especially such significant ones that were tied to astronomical phenomena, very, very seriously:

  year 2018 2019

  Dates and times of solstices and equinoxes
  Equinox March		Solstice June		Equinox September		Solstice December
  20	16:15	21	10:07	23	01:54	21	22:23	20	21:58	21	15:54	23	07:50	22	04:19
  2020	20	03:50	20	21:44	22	13:31	21	10:02
  2021	20	09:37:27	21	03:32:08	22	19:21:03	21	15:59:16
  2022	20	15:33:23	21	09:13:49	23	01:03:40	21	21:48:10
  2023	20	21:24:24	21	14:57:47	23	06:49:56	22	03:27:19
  2024	20	03:06:21	20	20:50:56	22	12:43:36	21	09:20:30
  2025	20	09:01:25	21	02:42:11	22	18:19:16	21	15:03:01

  among the Slavs it was Kupala;

  in the Wiccan tradition of Lith (in ancient times the festivals were called Alban Heffin, and all celebrations began on the eve of the longest day);

  Many peoples especially celebrated such holidays. This continues to this day, even despite the fact that Christian holidays began to be pushed back and overlapped with pagan holidays.

  Article on the topic: Mermaid Week: traditions and rituals. What holiday is it?

  If we talk about the solstice, now it is combined with the celebration of the day of John the Baptist (hence the prefix to the original Slavic holiday of Kupala - Ivan).

  All festivals dedicated to the Sun, and especially at the peak of its zenith, are much older than the Bible. They always took place in:

  Germanic,

  Scandinavian,

  Celtic,

  Slavic

  and Baltic regions.

  Even the oldest tower in the world - the Tower of Jericho (Pre-Pottery Neolithic, 8400-7300 BC), shows what a significant role the Sun played in people's lives.

  The festivities still contain echoes of pre-Christian solstice rituals. For example, lighting fires is an old ritual of fertility and purification:

  the ashes of these fires were scattered over the fields to make them fertile;

  and everything old and unfit to be thrown into the fire.

  Ancient rites of the summer solstice

  
  

  The summer solstice, also called the summer solstice, is a celebration of the sun and fire. This fun party filled with delight. If the winter solstice was associated with anxiety about the imminent onset of cold weather, then the summer solstice is a celebration of the pure joy of life. People had no reason to worry, the earth produced its first fruits, and everything went on as usual.

  Everything around smelled of abundance. But survival was difficult in those distant times, and was not easy as it is now. But during the summer solstice, the triumph of life could be celebrated carefree. The land was fertile, the plants grew quickly and promised a rich harvest. Nature lived as if there were no yesterday and no tomorrow. Summer with its own melody filled people's hearts with happiness.

  Huge fires were lit, people danced around them and jumped over the fire. This was supposed to bring good luck and protect against evil. There are also versions that children were thrown over the fire to protect them from diseases. And the smoldering logs were taken into the house to bless the home.

  They celebrated the solstice until late at night, until morning came: they rolled burning wheels and logs from the hills.

  On this day, women collected herbs:

  • delphinium,

    and especially St. John's wort.

  These herbs were tied around the hips and worn until the morning. On their heads they wore wreaths of verbena and earthen ivy (gundermann). It was believed that it promoted clairvoyance in those predisposed to it.

  Herbs on the night of the summer solstice received miraculous, powerful healing properties, which were most effective when the celebrations fell on the full moon.

  People danced naked, only covering their waists and hips with a “grass skirt.” This was supposed to increase fertility. The nakedness of that night was sacred, it was a connection to the authenticity of human nature.

  In addition, with the help of magic herbs, strong beer was prepared, which had a particularly intoxicating effect and was an aphrodisiac.

  Ancient gods

  The pagan priests, also known as Bilwi priests, served the sun god Belenus or Baldur. Their task was to bless the fields in midsummer. The god of nature, Cernunnos, nicknamed “The Horned One,” was especially revered.

  In Greek mythology he is known by the common name Pan.

  His Germanic name was Freyr.

  He is the king of beasts and the faithful companion of the great goddess of the Earth. He is the deity of nature, the forest, the forces of nature, fertility, creative power, growth, reincarnation, as well as love, prosperity and wealth. To pay tribute to him meant to increase one's own vitality and fertility.

  In honor of this deity, special “wolf” grasses were placed around the fields:

  • Voronets and others.

  Now, of course, all rituals have changed a lot. We will write an article about the Celtic holiday of Lita and the Slavic holiday of Kupala, and we will tell everything in more detail in these articles. You can subscribe to blog updates.

  Signs for the summer solstice

  We already had an article describing each day of the folk calendar for June, of course, the 21st is also there. People call this day Fedor Kolodeznik.

  Most signs of the summer solstice are weather predictions, and this is not surprising; the harvest depends on the weather.

  1. Bad weather on June 21 means crop failure and bad summer
  2. But a lot of dew in the morning means a bountiful harvest.
  3. The starry sky on the night of June 21 (20) promised mushrooms in early autumn.
  4. If you meet the dawn on the day of the summer solstice, you will be strong and healthy throughout the next year.
  5. On the day of the summer solstice, dreams can come true, especially if you make a cherished wish and climb over 12 fences.
  6. Children born on June 21 (20) have an “evil eye”, that is, perhaps without meaning to, they can jinx it or cause trouble. But this is just a version. There is also a second one, that such children are under the protection of the Sun itself.
  7. If some guy accidentally (or maybe not) pours water on a girl, then there will be a quick wedding.
  8. And if you dance all night around nine fires, then the beautiful maiden will one hundred percent get married this year. This is what our ancestors thought.

  In the most ancient mythological studies, especially Teutonic and Celtic, the sun was a female deity;

  The longest day of the year is not always the warmest;

  On the night of the solstice, various forest spirits, such as fairies and elves, roam freely across the earth;

  Norwegians believe that you should not sleep on this night, but should have fun;

  In June, the distance to the Sun is greater than in December;

  The earliest sunrise occurs not on the summer solstice, but earlier;

  Dew that fell on the longest day of the year was usually collected and poured into a separate vessel, as it was believed that it had a rejuvenating and healing effect.

  Stonehenge still celebrates the summer solstice.

  A simple ritual for the summer solstice

  At the end of the article I would like to cite one of the most ancient cleansing rituals.

  Take a small linen bag and fill it with herbs:

  lavender;

  St. John's wort;

  verbena;

  earth ivy.

  Mentally list all your worries, fears and problems and “put” them along with the herbs in your bag. Then tie the bag well and throw it into the fire.

  The fire should be lit together with your like-minded people and friends, this will give more effect. If the fire is small enough, jump over it (only if it is absolutely hassle-free and safe) to cleanse yourself of all kinds of negativity.

  Of course, the Christian Church has a sharply negative attitude towards all these ancient rituals. And that is why some of them have already been lost over the centuries, and some are closely intertwined with the beliefs of Christians. But we still managed to preserve something, after all, this is our culture and our heritage.

  That's all. Have a nice and fun summer.

  After long winter We are all looking forward to the coming of spring. In March, buds appear on the trees, nature comes to life after a long sleep, birds sing and the sun shines. The Vernal Equinox Day, beloved by many - what date will it be in 2020 and how is it celebrated? Read the details in this article.

  What happens on this day?

  First of all, let's figure out what the spring equinox is. In fact, the answer lies in the name Equinox: day is equal to night, that is, the length of light and dark is the same.

  There is a distinction between the spring equinox, which is celebrated in March, and the autumn equinox, which is celebrated in September. Some also talk about the spring solstice, but this is wrong. After all, they happen only in summer and winter - in June and December.

  The date of the holiday falls on different days in different years: March 19, 20 or 21. Exact date depends on the year, it's all about the calendar shift due to leap years.

  In 2020, the spring equinox will occur on March 20 at 06:50 am Moscow time. If you live in another region, you can calculate the time yourself, knowing Moscow time.

  After this day, the length of daylight hours begins to increase, and the day becomes longer than the night.

  Watch the video where the astronomical essence of the equinox phenomenon is revealed:

  On March 21, the Sun moves from the zodiac sign Pisces to the sign of Aries, and astrological spring begins (the period of the signs Aries, Taurus, Gemini).

  Since the Aries sign is associated with new things and initiative, this is a good time to start implementing new projects, implementing ideas and plans. Nature is being revived, so human activity in the world must also be revived.

  Table of spring equinoxes until 2025

  Year	Date and exact time in Moscow
  2019	March 21 00:58
  2020	20 March 06:50
  2021	March 20 12:37
  2022	20 March 18:33
  2023	March 21 00:24
  2024	20 March 06:06
  2025	March 20 12:01

  Ritual to fulfill a wish

  The spring solstice is a time of miracles and mysticism, when the Wheel of Fate can be turned in the right direction. Traditionally, various rituals were performed on this day. Today I will present a spring ritual to make a wish come true.

  Important conditions: the desire must concern you personally and it should not be associated with harm to other people.

  Choose a quiet place and ask not to be interrupted for half an hour. Prepare a white candle.

  • Light a candle.
  • Find a comfortable position with a straight back, for example, sit cross-legged.
  • Place the candle so that it is comfortable to look at it.
  • Relax. Close your eyes. Breathe evenly and slowly.
  • Imagine that your wish has already come true. For example, if you want to buy new car, then imagine yourself behind the wheel, as if you were driving around the city in a brand new car. Mentally examine the registration certificate you just received.
  • Be sure to experience the emotions that a fulfilled desire will give you - delight, joy, satisfaction.
  • Now place the image of the wish fulfilled in the pink sphere.
  • The sphere rises up and flies into the sky, higher and higher.
  • You have let go of your desire, thus leaving a request to the Universe for its fulfillment.

  Try to forget about your desire for a while. Then it will certainly come true.

  Folk signs of the holiday

  People pass on signs for the Day of the Vernal Equinox from generation to generation.

  1. Whatever your thoughts and desires are, this will be the case all year. The fact is that on March 21, the energy template for the subsequent months of the year is laid. Therefore, thoughts must be positive, and wishes to other people only bright and kind. You can't wish bad things even on your enemies.
  2. The more fun you have on this day, the more fun your year will be.
  3. On this day, our ancestors looked for spring thawed patches and counted them. If you find 40 pieces, then spring will bring good luck.
  4. If the day turns out to be frosty, then another 40 days of frost are expected. And if the day is warm, then there will be no night frosts.

  The holiday of the spring equinox among different nations

  The spring equinox is celebrated all over the world. Different peoples greet spring in different ways, but they all have common features - every person rejoices at the reborn Sun and looks forward to welcoming warmth.

  Holiday among the Slavs

  The holiday of the spring equinox among the Slavs was called Magpies or Larks. The first name comes from the Forty Martyrs of Sebastia - Christian soldiers who refused to make sacrifices to pagan gods because they deeply believed in Christ.

  However, even in the pre-Christian era, the spring equinox was celebrated on a grand scale. It was believed that on this day there comes a balance between light and darkness. The sun wakes up to give people warmth and harvest.

  The Slavs called the Day of the Vernal Equinox - Larks. According to legend, on this day migratory larks return to their homeland, followed by other migratory birds.

  Before this day, any agricultural work was prohibited, as the land was still in hibernation. Now she has begun to awaken.

  For the holiday, housewives made ritual pastries from unleavened dough in the shape of larks. Birds were often baked with their wings and crests spread out. But each housewife, of course, had her own recipe.

  The baked larks were given to the children. They ran with them into the street, threw them up, imitating the arrival of birds. Sometimes children would put the birds on a stick to raise them even higher towards the sun. These ritual actions were accompanied by calls of spring, the children shouted out special chants - calls of spring.

  

  After the game, the larks were eaten, but the heads of the birds were not eaten. They were usually given to livestock.

  Fortune telling was also common. For example, the housewife baked one bird for each family member. A coin was placed inside one. Whoever gets the bird with the coin will be happy all year.

  Spring Larks Baking Recipes

  How to cook larks for the Spring Equinox? Watch the recipe in the video:

  And here is another recipe - a simpler one, made from yeast-free dough:

  Celtic holiday Ostara

  The holiday, named after the goddess of fertility of the earth named Ostare, is celebrated on the Day of the Vernal Equinox. The ancient Celts opened the agricultural season from this day.

  The goddess Ostare is one of the most “ancient” goddesses, known since the second millennium BC. It is also associated with the awakening of nature, with the first herbs and flowers.

  On this day, the ancient Germans performed rituals for the fertility of fields and trees in the coming season. It was customary to cleanse people of the filth accumulated over the winter.

  The following were popular on this holiday:

  • Pouring water;
  • Fumigation with smoke;
  • Jumping over the fire;
  • The descent of fiery wheels from the mountain;
  • Throwing fire arrows.

  After the advent of Christianity, the pagan Spring Equinox was combined with the Christian Annunciation.

  There are two main symbols of the goddess Ostare. The first of these is the moon hare or rabbit. It symbolized fertility (everyone knows how rabbits breed) and personified rebirth.

  According to legend, the goddess Ostare saw a wounded bird in the snow. He took pity on the bird and, wanting to save it from death, turned it into a hare. In its new guise, the bird still laid eggs. Therefore, the second symbol of the holiday was considered an egg - a symbol of the Sun and the rebirth of nature.

  The eggs were painted with protective symbols, as well as signs of peace, wealth, fertility, etc. The ritual is similar to the painting of Easter eggs that are familiar to us today.

  
  

  Higan in Japan

  The vernal equinox in Japan is associated with a Buddhist holiday called Higan. This is a public holiday and a day off for the Japanese.

  However, the celebrations last a whole week: they begin 3 days before the equinox and end 3 days after it ends. The exact date of the equinox is calculated every year at the National Observatory.

  The name “khigan” is translated as “that shore” or “the world where the souls of ancestors settled.” Accordingly, this is a holiday of honoring ancestors.

  Before the holiday, the Japanese carefully clean their houses and put things in order. They clean the home altar with photographs of ancestors and their personal belongings, place fresh flowers and ritual food.

  During the holiday week, Japanese residents go to the graves of their deceased relatives. All ritual foods are vegetarian. This is a tribute to the Buddhist tradition of not killing any living beings and not eating meat. The menu is based on rice, vegetables, beans, root vegetables and vegetable broths.

  On holidays, the Japanese visit Buddhist temples, order prayers and pay ritual honors to departed ancestors.

  Soon after Higana, the cherry blossom season begins, which symbolizes the true rebirth of nature. All residents of the Land of the Rising Sun go to admire the beautiful and short-lived phenomenon.

  Turkic Nowruz

  The traditional holiday of Novruz or Nauryz is celebrated by the Turkic and Iranian peoples; it is one of the most ancient holidays in human history. Has no relation to Islam, originated in Zoroastrianism and is associated with the astronomical phenomenon of the spring equinox. It is considered the true beginning of the New Year.

  Currently, Novruz is celebrated on March 21 in Iran, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and other countries. In Russia, this holiday is celebrated in Bashkortostan, Tatarstan and Dagestan.

  Preparations for Nowruz begin well in advance. Be sure to clean the house, pay off debts, and ask for forgiveness for the grievances caused. A variety of traditional dishes are prepared. Be sure to have a lot of sweets. It is believed that the richer the table, the happier the year will be.

  Sprouted wheat is often placed on the table, symbolizing the rebirth of nature.

  There is a tradition of organizing a fire festival on Novruz. For example, they make a fire and dance around it. And then they jump over the fire. It is believed that this allows you to cleanse yourself of all ailments and problems.

  Thus, the date of the vernal equinox is very important in the history and culture of different peoples of the world. On this day everyone welcomes spring, the reborn sun and hopes for a rich harvest.