The Cosmic Dance of Rebirth: Spring Equinox, Aries Season, and Passover 2025

Today, March 20, 2025, marks a powerful turning point in the wheel of the year as we celebrate the spring equinox in the Northern Hemisphere. This sacred moment of balance, when day and night are equal length, holds deep spiritual significance. As the sun crosses the celestial equator and enters the zodiac sign of Aries, a new astrological year begins, heralding a season of rebirth, renewal and fresh starts.

In the Jewish tradition, spring is a time rich with meaning and ritual. We are approaching the month of Nissan, which the Torah calls "the first of the months" and a time of new beginnings. The spring equinox falls during the time between Purim and Passover, holidays that celebrate the Jewish people's liberation from oppression in ancient Persia and Egypt. 

Passover, which begins on the 15th of Nissan, tells the story of the Israelites' exodus from slavery into freedom. It is a time to remember our history, but also to connect with the eternal cycle of rebirth and renewal. Just as the Israelites were reborn as a free nation in the springtime, so too do we have the chance to be reborn spiritually, shedding the "chametz," or ego and attachments, that hold us back.

The spring equinox also connects to the Kabbalistic concept of Tiferet, the sefirah (Divine emanation) that represents balance, beauty and harmony. Tiferet is associated with the sun and with the heart, reminding us to awaken our inner light and live from a place of compassion. The equal balance of day and night at the equinox reflects the balance of divine masculine and feminine energies within creation.

Aries season, which begins on the equinox, embodies the fiery, pioneering energy of this time. In Kabbalah, Aries is associated with the sefirah of Gevurah, or strength and judgment. Gevurah gives us the courage to break free from limitations, stand in our truth, and take bold action. As we prepare for Passover and think about areas of our lives where we may feel enslaved, Aries and Gevurah invite us to rise up and claim our freedom.

The spring holidays of Passover, Sukkot, and Shavuot are also connected to the agricultural cycle and the harvest of the land of Israel. Passover coincides with the barley harvest, Shavuot with the wheat harvest, and Sukkot with the final harvest before the rainy season. By attuning to the Earth's rhythms, we cultivate a sense of rootedness, abundance and gratitude for the natural world.

This spring equinox and Aries season, may we connect to the ancient wisdom of our ancestors and the rhythms of the Earth. May we find the courage to break free from inner and outer bondage, and may we be reborn into greater light, balance and joy. As we prepare our homes and hearts for Passover, let us remember that we are all part of a great cosmic story of liberation and renewal. Chag Pesach sameach and blessed spring to all!