spring equinox and the meaning of balance

This month brings the spring equinox on March 20th. At the equinox, we experience complete celestial balance, with 12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness. As we align with the energy of this seasonal time, we have the opportunity to set the tone for moving into the vibrance of spring and the coming season of light with our own inner balance and groundedness. 

I will confess that the coming of spring is often hard for me, even though the earth is blooming with so much beauty. As an introvert, I actually treasure the inward focus of the winter months, and for me, coming out of hibernation sometimes feels overwhelming. The light feels too bright, the social expectations too numerous, the gusty winds too agitating. Sometimes even the daffodils seem to be exuding a kind of tyrannical joy: “Look, I’m a flower! Be happy! Everything is beautiful!” Don’t get me wrong; it’s so lovely, but it can just feel like a lot. 

This month also marks one year since the pandemic hit the U.S., and there may be some trauma and/or grief arising with this anniversary. It’s an important time to be gentle, to show yourself grace and kindness, to feel your feelings, and to seek help and connection.

There’s a lot of talk about balance these days: work-life balance, etc. I like to think of balance not as some kind of achievement, but as a moment-to-moment practice. Not as a noun, but as a verb.

I was a single parent for my son’s first 8 years, and at some point, I remember thinking to myself that I felt like a surfer. Not literally -- I have never been surfing. But my thought was that since I can’t control whether the waves will be calm or stormy, all I needed to do was stay balanced, like on a surfboard, and be ready to ride the waves as they come in. It was a helpful analogy. And I reassured myself that if a big wave came and knocked me over, it was ok – all I had to do was get back up and find my balance again. Every good surfer wipes out sometimes. 
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One day I found a dashboard surfer girl in a novelty shop, and kitschy as she was, I stuck her to the dash of my car. My goddess of motherhood. As I drove, she swayed around, reminding me: In order to find balance, just feel your feet and be present to what comes and goes. She was a beautiful talisman. 

I share this image in hopes that it can help you feel into your own sense of balance and groundedness in this season, in whatever way feels resonant for you. This is a great time of year to do walking meditations and balance poses.