Spring Equinox/Alban Eilir
At the Equinoxes (Welsh: cyhydnos), day and night are balanced and it is one of the four astronomical, solar festivals celebrated throughout the yearly cycle. The power of the sun is on the increase and we celebrate the time of sowing and preparation for the gifts of Summer/Haf (at the Autumnal Equinox, although day and night are of equal duration, the power of the sun is on the wane, and we give thanks for the gifts of the harvest and prepare for the darkness of Winter).
The Goddess of Spring wakes up from her sleep of the darkness and whilst she stirs at Gŵyl Forwyn/Imbolc (pronounced IM - Olk) she is truly awake by the time Equinox arrives. Alban Eilir (pronounce eye-lur) is the point of balance between Gŵyl Forwyn/Imbolc and Calan Haf/Beltane, the balance of day and night and a turning point in our lives with common writings interpreting it as the Light of Regeneration, however, for the Welsh Druids Alban is known as the Zenith or the Top and Eilir is the second (2nd), being the second quarter of the year e.g. Spring.
In the Northern Hemisphere it arrives circa 21st March and Southern Hemisphere 21st September (please note the Druid and Celtic traditions honour seasons and not a linear calendar such as we use in our modern world). We watch for the signs that the Equinox brings and as this is a solar event we watch the position of the sunrise.
The lengthening of days make for a different approach to our daily lives. In many areas it was the time to plough and sow, remember this is typical of the land and climate in the landmass known as Ireland, British Isles and mainland Europe. People would focus on asking the gods & goddesses for blessings and they would enter into prayer (please note prayer or the action of asking/requesting help is an ancient indigenous spiritual practice and is not associated with any religious doctrine) out in the open space and facing the sun, they would join together for a small feast and dance in a circle knowing that their prayers would be honoured.
It’s a time when you see the growth of the seeds planted at Winter-time, sapling and new growth abound if they have been nurtured.
