March Equinox 2026: Spiritual Meaning, Astrology & Autumn Energy in South Africa
- Thomas de Bruin
- Mar 20
- 4 min read
What is the March Equinox?
I would like to share something with you.
It always amazes me how often we move through life unaware of the powerful and transformative energies that surround us. And this is why I feel so deeply called to bring awareness to awareness itself—so that we can begin to notice, align with, and consciously work with these natural forces that are always available to us… if we are willing to listen.
The March equinox is one of those moments.
From a scientific perspective, the equinox is a precise astronomical event that occurs twice a year—around March and September—when the Earth experiences a rare moment of balance in its relationship with the Sun. As the Earth orbits the Sun, its 23.5-degree tilt is responsible for the changing seasons. Different parts of the planet receive varying amounts of sunlight throughout the year.
However, during the equinox, something quite extraordinary happens.
The Earth’s axis is positioned in such a way that neither hemisphere is tilted toward or away from the Sun. At this moment, the Sun aligns directly with the Earth’s equator, and day and night become nearly equal across the globe. The word equinox comes from the Latin aequus (equal) and nox (night). A moment of balance.
And yet—this is not just a scientific phenomenon.
Spiritual & Astrological Meaning of the March Equinox
When we begin to look a little deeper, the significance of this moment becomes even more profound.
Astrologically, the March equinox marks the Sun’s entry into Aries, the first sign of the zodiac. This is why it is often referred to as the astrological new year.
The Sun moves from Pisces—a space of endings, surrender, and deep inner reflection—into Aries, which represents:
Initiation
Action
Courage
Rebirth
Can you feel that shift?
From inward… to outward.From release… to movement.
And if you reflect back over the past few weeks, you may notice that something within you has already been preparing for this.
Moments of intensity.Emotional release.A quiet knowing that something is ready to change.
This is not random.
You were being prepared.
A Cosmic Reset — Ending and Beginning at Once
This is where the equinox becomes more than just a date on the calendar.
It becomes a threshold.
A meeting point between:
Light and dark
Inner and outer
Rest and action
This is why the equinox is often experienced as a cosmic reset.
Not because something new is forced into being—but because space has finally been created for something new to emerge.
March Equinox in South Africa (Autumn Energy)
Here in South Africa, we are not entering spring—we are entering autumn.
And this is important.
While much of the world speaks about new beginnings and outward growth, our landscape—and our bodies—are being guided in a different direction.
A more inward one.
As the light begins to soften and the days slowly shorten, nature begins to release.
Leaves fall. Energy settles. There is a quiet turning inward.
And you may feel this too:
A desire to slow down
A need to reflect
A pull to let go of what no longer feels aligned
This is not resistance.
This is wisdom.
Why You May Feel More Sensitive During the Equinox
The days surrounding the equinox—the day before, the day of, and the day after—can feel particularly sensitive. As the Earth shifts its relationship with the Sun, we too experience a subtle shift.
You may notice:
Increased emotional awareness
A sense of vulnerability
A need for stillness
Rather than pushing forward, this is a moment to pause.
To listen.
To be with what is arising, without needing to fix or change it.
The New Moon & Closing of a Cycle
Just before the March equinox, a New Moon in Pisces marks the final phase of the zodiac cycle.
Pisces represents:
Endings
Surrender
Dissolution of old identities
This amplifies the equinox energy by supporting:
Emotional release
Clearing of old patterns
Preparation for new beginnings
Together, this creates a powerful natural rhythm:
Release → Reset → Rebirth
Sacred Timing Across Traditions
What I find truly fascinating is that across the world, this time has long been recognised as sacred.
Different traditions, different languages—but a similar invitation.
Vedic & Hindu Traditions
The equinox aligns with the solar new year and Chaitra Navratri, a nine-day period of:
Devotion
Inner purification
Renewal
Christian/Catholic Tradition (Lent)
This period often coincides with Lent, a time of:
Fasting
Reflection
Spiritual discipline
Islamic Tradition (Ramadan)
Similarly, Ramadan is a time of:
Fasting
Prayer
Compassion
Deep inner awareness
Across all traditions, a common thread emerges:
A return inward. A release of excess. A reconnection to what truly matters.
How to Work with the Equinox Energy (Simple Practices)
This is not a time to force.
It is a time to align.
You might feel called to:
Sit in stillness at sunrise or sunset
Reflect on what is ending and what is beginning
Journal
Meditate or practice breathwork
Move gently through yoga
Rest more deeply than usual
Even something as simple as taking a long bath with presence can become a powerful ritual.
This is about coming back to yourself.
Closing Reflection
The equinox reminds us that balance is not something we achieve once.
It is something we return to—again and again.
Light and dark are not opposing forces to overcome, but energies to integrate.
Both live within you.
And this moment offers a quiet but powerful invitation:
To realign.To release.To begin again—consciously.
Blessings,
Thomas (Depal Dorje)
Here are a few links that might support you in on your journey:
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