Tag Archives: march equinox

History

Welcome To March

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March, from the Très Riches Heures du Duc de Berry, a book of prayers to be said at canonical hours. Manuscript illumination from Très Riches Heures du duc de Berry Folio 3, verso: March. Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons

 

Welcome to March! March, named for the Roman deity Mars (Greek Ares), is the third month. It begins spring in the Northern Hemisphere and autumn in the Southern Hemisphere. Since military campaigns would start once winter ended, the Romans considered it appropriate to name the month after the god of war. Festivals honoring him and seeking his blessing were held in ancient Rome.

On the meteorological calendar, March 1 marks the start of spring (or autumn in the Southern Hemisphere), but astronomically it begins with the March equinox. This falls between March 19 and 21, when the Sun shines directly on the equator, making night and day almost equal in length. The March equinox is celebrated as a time of rebirth, with new plants emerging—leading to the phrase “spring forth,” now simply “spring.” Increased warmth causes snowmelt, swelling rivers and replenishing water supplies for people and nature. Areas with little or no snow may see spring up to a month earlier, while far northern regions may not experience it until May.

George Hodan (publicdomainpictures.net)

St. Patrick’s Day (March 17) is one of the most popular celebrations in March. As the patron saint of Ireland, it is a public holiday there but nowhere else. Easter and Passover may also fall in March some years due to complex, varying calculations. For Christians, March often includes Lent: forty days of fasting, penance, and charity in preparation for Easter Sunday.

Beware the Ides of March!

The Death of Julius Caesar,Vincenzo Camuccini (1771–1844).
Public Domain

The Ides were one of three fixed days in the ancient Roman calendar. They fell on the 15th in March, May, July, and October, and on the 13th in other months. Because the early Romans used a lunar calendar, the Ides could sometimes carry foreboding omens. However, since March marked the start of the new year in the old Roman calendar, it was generally festive—until March 15, 44 BC, when Julius Caesar was assassinated. The event transformed the Ides of March into a symbol of danger and betrayal, leading to Caesar’s death, retribution against his killers, and the rise of the Roman Empire. Thereafter, “Beware the Ides of March” became a warning of impending misfortune.

In Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, the soothsayer famously warns:

Soothsayer: Beware the Ides of March.

Caesar: What man is that?

Brutus: A soothsayer bids you beware the Ides of March.

Though the phrase may have existed earlier, Shakespeare popularized it, embedding it in educated speech and broader culture. Its use has faded as fewer schools require Shakespeare, often met with blank stares today. Still, as the Ides of March approach, the warning occasionally resurfaces to recall Caesar’s assassination.

Sources

———. “The Month of March 2026: Holidays, Fun Facts, Folklore.” Almanac.Com. Last modified February 19, 2026. Accessed March 1, 2026. https://www.almanac.com/content/month-march-holidays-fun-facts-folklore.

“The Month of March.” Accessed March 1, 2026. https://www.timeanddate.com/calendar/months/march.html.

Byrd, Deborah. “March Equinox 2026: Here’s All You Need to Know.” EarthSky | Updates on Your Cosmos and World. Last modified December 24, 2025. Accessed March 1, 2026. https://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/everything-you-need-to-know-vernal-or-spring-equinox/.

Martin, Gary. “The Ides of March – Meaning &Amp; Origin of the Phrase.” Phrase Finder. Last modified December 20, 2023. Accessed March 1, 2026. https://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/beware-the-ides-of-march.html.

Stezano, Martín. “Beware the Ides of March. But Why? | HISTORY.” HISTORY. Last modified February 18, 2026. https://www.history.com/articles/beware-the-ides-of-march-but-why.

“What Is the Origin of ‘Beware the Ides of March’?,” February 3, 2025. Accessed March 1, 2026. https://www.dictionary.com/articles/ides-of-march.

Miscellaneous, Seasons

Welcome to Spring 2025

 

Colorful Spring Garden
Photo:Anita Martinz(Flickr)

Today the March Equinox takes place ending winter and ushering in spring. To find out the exact time this will occur where you live, please go to www.timeanddate.com.

 

A sure sign spring is here is when lambs appear.
Spring Lamb In The Sunshine
Photo: Tanya Hall/publicdomainpictures.net

The March Equinox marks the moment where the Sun crosses the equator (an imaginary line in the sky above the equator) from south to north and usually occurs between March 19-21 every year. Both the March and September equinoxes are when the Sun shines directly on the equator making night and day nearly equal. This equinox is the transition from winter to spring in the Northern Hemisphere but the reverse in the Southern Hemisphere (summer into fall). Various cultures celebrate March equinox as a time of rebirth. Many spring festivals are timed to coincide with the equinox and some religious events (Passover and Easter) use specific calculations based on the equinox to help determine the exact day of the event.

Meteorologists however start spring on March 1 rather than by the March Equinox. The reason is that they divide the year into four quarters to make it easier to compare data and compile statistics. Meteorological seasons use annual temperature cycles rather than the position of the Sun. While astronomers follow the position of the Sun regarding equinoxes and solstices, meteorologists use the calendar to prevent problems since the dates of equinoxes and solstices can vary each year.

 Early spring is when the Earth’s axis increases its tilt relative to the Sun resulting in more daylight for that part world where it spring is occurring. It is a time when the increased warmth results in more plant growth (spring forth as it used to be said and how spring got its name). The resulting warmth also makes snow melt causing streams to swell and frosts to diminish. For areas that get little or no snow, ground temperatures will increase quickly as well. Despite spring beginning in March, in areas where there is no snow early plant growth can begin as early as February (or August down below). Arctic zones may not experience spring until May.

Solstices and Equinoxes
Image: NASA

 

Due to the reversal of seasons in the Southern Hemisphere, Easter is celebrated in Autumn. The Allhallowtide (Halloween, All Saints’ Day, All Souls’ Day) is celebrated in Spring.

Despite the change of the seasons–both calendar and meteorologically speaking–winter does continue in many places. And with it can come unpredictable weather which my favorite feline Garfield illustrates it perfectly. Garfield is outside. First it is warm and sunny. Then cold and rainy. Then back to warm and sunny. And then rain again and then another dry day. Finally, Garfield yells in exasperation “Will you make up your mind?” The next frame is split with one half having rain and the other half sunny. And it is more accurate than most of us want to believe.

There are two sayings that get the season right, courtesy of The Old Farmer’s Almanac:

Bluebirds are a sign of spring; warm weather and gentle south breezes they bring.

 One swallow does not make a spring.

 

Welcome to Spring!

 

For Further Reading

“March Equinox,” last modified March 11, 2025, https://www.timeanddate.com/calendar/march-equinox.html.

Catherine Boeckmann, “First Day of Spring 2025: The Spring Equinox,” Almanac.Com, last modified March 12, 2025, https://www.almanac.com/content/first-day-spring-vernal-equinox.

———. “March Equinox 2025: All You Need to Know.” EarthSky | Updates on Your Cosmos and World. Last modified February 26, 2025. https://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/everything-you-need-to-know-vernal-or-spring-equinox/.

 

 

Seasons

Welcome to Spring

Colorful Spring Garden
Photo:Anita Martinz(Flickr)

Today the March Equinox takes place ending winter and ushering in spring. To find out the exact time this will occur where you live, please go to www.timeanddate.com.

A sure sign spring is here is when lambs appear.
Spring Lamb In The Sunshine
Photo: Tanya Hall/publicdomainpictures.net

The March Equinox marks the moment where the Sun crosses the equator and usually occurs between March 19-21 every year. Both the March and September equinoxes are when the Sun shines directly on the equator making night and day nearly equal. This equinox is the transition from winter to spring in the Northern Hemisphere but the reverse in the Southern Hemisphere (summer into fall). Various cultures celebrate March equinox as a time of rebirth. Many spring festivals are timed to coincide with the equinox and some religious events (Passover and Easter) use specific calculations based on the equinox to help determine the exact day of the event.

Solstices and Equinoxes Image: NASA

Early spring is when the Earth’s axis increases its tilt relative to the Sun resulting in more daylight for that part world where it spring is occurring. It is a time when the increased warmth results in more plant growth (spring forth as it used to be said and how spring got its name). The resulting warmth also makes snow melt causing streams to swell and frosts to diminish. For areas that get little or no snow, ground temperatures will increase quickly as well. Despite spring beginning in March, in areas where there is no snow early plant growth can begin as early as February (or August down below). Arctic zones may not experience spring until May.

However, despite all this, winter can and does often continue on in many places. And spring also heralds unpredictable weather. There is a funny Garfield cartoon that illustrates it perfectly. Garfield is outside. First it is warm and sunny. Then cold and rainy. Then back to warm and sunny. And then rain again and then another dry day. Finally, Garfield yells in exasperation “Will you make up your mind?” The next frame is split with one half having rain and the other half sunny.

Welcome to Spring!

 

History, Miscellaneous

Welcome to March

St. Patrick’s Day postcard, 1912 of “Old Weir Bridge” at Dinis Cottage, in Killarney National Park, Ireland.
Public Domain/Wikipedia

March is the third month on both the old Julian and current Gregorian calendar. It is the month that begins spring in the Northern Hemisphere and autumn in the Southern Hemisphere. March is believed to be derived from the Roman god Mars (Greek equivalent Ares). Before the advent of the Julian calendar, Romans considered March the first month of the new year. With winter over, it was also the start of military campaigns to resume. Festivals were also held at this time in ancient Rome to honor Mars as well.

The March equinox is usually around March 21-22. Many spring festivals take place in March. Passover and Easter may take place in March, but not always as it is dependent upon very specific calculations and can change from year to year. St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated on March 17. If it falls on a Friday, Catholics are given dispensation to eat meat on that day (at least in Ireland and in areas where the feast is celebrated) If it falls on a Sunday, the diocese that observes the day will do so on Monday. For Ireland, since St. Patrick is its patron saint, it will be celebrated on Sunday replacing the normally observed day of Lent.

The famous Ides of March (March 15) was once a day to pay debts in Rome, but it became infamously associated with the assassination of Julius Caesar on that day in 44 BC. Daylight Saving Time begins in the U.S. and Canada on the second Sunday in March. For most of Europe, this will occur on March 31. The first full moon of March is often called the Worm Moon as many earthworms are being noticed in the Northern Hemisphere.

 

Miscellaneous

Today is the Spring Equinox

Solstices and Equinoxes Image: NASAToday is the March/Spring Equinox.  This equinox marks the moment where the Sun crosses the equator and usually occurs between March 19-21 every year. Both the March and September equinoxes are when the Sun shines directly on the equator making night and day nearly equal.

The March equinox is the transition from winter to spring in the Northern Hemisphere but the reverse in the Southern Hemisphere (summer into fall). Various cultures celebrate March equinox as a time of rebirth. Many spring festivals are timed to coincide with the equinox and some religious events (Passover and Easter) use specific calculations based on the equinox to help determine the exact day of the event.

Though the equinox marks the changing of the seasons, it is quite common for winter effects to continue in many places far until May or even June.

And if you live in an agricultural area where sheep abound, a sure sign of Spring is that lambs are born. Lots of them. To this day no scientist has ever figured how the mother can instantly know her offspring in a field where so many lambs abound.

A sure sign spring is here is when lambs appear.
Spring Lamb In The Sunshine
Photo: Tanya Hall/publicdomainpictures.net

 


History

Welcome to March

[Due to electricity outages and other issues, I was not able to post much during February. Back to regular posting now.]

St. Patrick’s Day postcard, 1912 of “Old Weir Bridge” at Dinis Cottage, in Killarney National Park, Ireland.
Public Domain/Wikipedia

March is the third month on both the old Julian and current Gregorian calendar. It is the month that begins spring in the Northern Hemisphere and autumn in the Southern Hemisphere. March is believed to be derived from the Roman god Mars (Greek equivalent Ares). Before the advent of the Julian calendar, Romans considered March the first month of the new year. The March equinox is usually around March 21-22. Many spring festivals take place in March. Passover and Easter may take place in March, but not always as it is dependent upon very specific calculations and can change from year to year. St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated on March 17. If it falls on a Friday, Catholics are given dispensation to eat meat on that day (at least in Ireland and in areas where the feast is celebrated). The famous Ides of March (March 15) was once a day to pay debts in Rome but it became infamously associated with the assassination of Julius Caesar on that day in 44 BC.

Daylight savings time begins in the U.S. and Canada on the second Sunday in March. March has two birthstones that reflect courage: aquamarine and bloodstone. The flower for March is the daffodil.

https://youtu.be/ZdfXRms5Umw

 

 


Miscellaneous

Today is the Spring Equinox

Solstices and Equinoxes Image: NASAToday is the March/Spring Equinox.  This equinox marks the moment where the Sun crosses the equator and usually occurs between March 19-21 every year. Both the March and September equinoxes are when the Sun shines directly on the equator making night and day nearly equal.

The March equinox is the transition from winter to spring in the Northern Hemisphere but the reverse in the Southern Hemisphere (summer into fall). Various cultures celebrate March equinox as a time of rebirth. Many spring festivals are timed to coincide with the equinox and some religious events (Passover and Easter) use specific calculations based on the equinox to help determine the exact day of the event.

Though the equinox marks the changing of the seasons, it is quite common for winter effects to continue in many places far until May or even June.


Miscellaneous

Welcome to March

St. Patrick’s Day postcard, 1912 of “Old Weir Bridge” at Dinis Cottage, in Killarney National Park, Ireland.
Public Domain/Wikipedia

March is the third month on both the old Julian and current Gregorian calendar. It is the month that begins spring in the Northern Hemisphere and autumn in the Southern Hemisphere. March is believed to be derived from the Roman god Mars (Greek equivalent Ares). Before the advent of the Julian calendar, Romans considered March the first month of the new year. The March equinox is usually around March 21-22. Many spring festivals take place in March. Passover and Easter may take place in March, but not always as it is dependent upon very specific calculations and can change from year to year. St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated on March 17. If it falls on a Friday, Catholics are given dispensation to eat meat on that day (at least in Ireland and in areas where the feast is celebrated). The famous Ides of March (March 15) was once a day to pay debts in Rome but it became infamously associated with the assassination of Julius Caesar on that day in 44 BC.

Daylight savings time begins in the U.S. and Canada on the second Sunday in March. March has two birthstones that reflect courage: aquamarine and bloodstone. The flower for March is the daffodil.

 

 

 


Miscellaneous

Spring Equinox Is Today

Colorful Spring Garden Photo:Anita Martinz(Flickr)
Colorful Spring Garden
Photo:Anita Martinz(Flickr)

Spring officially begins today at 12:57 PM EDT (16:57 UTC). Equinoxes occur twice a year, in March and September. When these events happen, the sun shines directly on the equator and the length of day and night are nearly the same. However below the equator the season flips so it is the beginning of autumn in Sydney, Australia. The first full day of spring (or autumn) will be 21 Mar 2014.