Where is your True East and West?

ceremony, Nature, Seasonal

Spring Equinox is a great time to orient to your true east and west.

The vernal or spring equinox comes on or around March 20 to 22—signaling the beginning of spring in the northern hemisphere. On this day the tilt of the Earth’s axis and Earth’s orbit around the sun combine in such a way that the axis is inclined neither away from nor toward the sun.  Night and day are equal all over the earth.

The arc of the sun is coming higher for us in the North.  The long shadows of low angle winter sun are shortening. Birds and butterflies are migrating back northward along with the path of the sun.  For those in the South of our equator, the opposite is occurring, autumn begins.


If you want to orient yourself to true east and west, this is a great day to go outside around sunset and sunrise and notice the location of the sun on the horizon with respect to familiar landmarks.  Then, like our ancestral skywatchers, you can consciously note those points on your horizon.  If you look at the sunrise shadow cast by a straight stick, you will see the true east-west line. This gives you physical reference points in your world.  You see externally what your indwelling internal compass feels in orientation to our planet.


Seasonal turning points are known as propitious times for ceremony to create positive change.

If, like humans have done since dawn of Creation, you join with others in celebration of balance, you potentialize cosmic energies that are present to activate positive change in your life. You align your human self with the Cosmos and this exquisitely beautiful planet we call Home.

Here is a simple ceremony for Spring Equinox:
Go outside on March 20 and find true East and West in relation to your world at dawn and dusk. Then breathe deeply, smile, gift yourself with a timeless moment of feeling in balance with all aspects of your life.

May you sense harmony with the greater cycle of life and feel poised for a verdant spring sprouting.  Hope returns with the sun, the birds and your smile.


Related program:  Spring Equinox Retreat

first published 2011, updated Jan. 14, 2017, Sept. 7, 2019