Celebrating the Spring Equinox
As we leave the darkness of winter in our wake, we are so excited to celebrate this year’s spring equinox on March 20, also known as the vernal equinox.
What’s the spring equinox, you ask? Equinoxes are the planetary phenomena that occur when the sun’s center aligns directly above the equator, typically around March 20 and September 23.
Sound a little confusing or crunchy? We’ve got you. Put more simply, the vernal equinox marks the beginning of spring, the end of winter, and that beautiful tipping point when the length of our days and nights are at long last equal. Between the equinox and the summer solstice, we gain more and more daylight hours, which translates to more beach time, boat days, and surfside yoga here at Grit & Grace.
One of our most dear mantras for this year is “be the light”, as inspired by National Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman, so this particular spring equinox feels even more significant, bright, and hopeful.
Join us as we celebrate the spring equinox, and let’s step forward together into the sunshine!
15 Ways to Celebrate the Spring Equinox
Personally, we think every occasion calls for some sage smudging. Setting your intentions? Purify your space with some sage. Cat lady next door finally moving out? Hey, light ‘er up. Why not. Celebrating the spring equinox after a long (like, really, really long) winter? Sage!
Imbue your home and soul with the healing, purifying properties of sage with our artisan-crafted Sage Smudge Sticks. These 100% organic and carefully sourced smudge sticks are available in Coastal, Lavender, Yellow Rose, and Rosebud, so pick the arrangement that best celebrates your favorite aspects of spring. $26
Walk on the Beach
Ralph Waldo Emerson’s recipe for happiness was, “Live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air,” and we can’t think of a better way to celebrate spring’s return than with sandy toes and fresh air. Soak up the balance of the spring equinox and look to the brighter days ahead with a long, therapeutic stroll on the beach - and don’t forget to toss your towel, sunscreen, and shades in your Renewable Fiber Beach Tote.
Celebrate the spring equinox by initiating a season of personal growth: join us for a Mala Workshop. The Mala Workshop is a transformational, creative experience that honors the bonds of sisterhood and sets your intentions for the road ahead.
Enjoy a guided invocation, tea ceremony, and tutorial on making your very own Mala Mantra Necklace, a powerful meditation tool and beautiful, empowering piece of personal jewelry. $108 per person
Attend a Farmers Market
Give thanks for the fruits of the season by shopping at your local farmers market! Stock up on locally grown fresh fruits, veggies, herbs, and humanely raised meat, and you’ll also be supporting a small farmer whose work is so deeply tied to the spring equinox. Shop for locally made bread, honey, jams, and artisan-crafted goods, and visit the Grit & Grace Studio booth at the Charleston Farmers Market if you’re in the Lowcountry!
What better way to mark the longer, brighter days than by tracking your hopes, dreams, and ideas. Fill the pages of this Inspirational Journal with light and love, starting on the spring equinox. Choose the inspiring quote that speaks to you. We find John Lennon’s words so appropriate:
The sun is up,
The sky is blue,
It’s beautiful,
And so are you.
This sweet journal is perfectly sized for journaling on the go; tuck it into your purse between moments of reflection. $10
Begin a Gratitude Practice
Plant the seed for a season of personal growth by beginning a gratitude practice this spring equinox. We designed our Bee Love Oyster Blessing Beads as a delicate, beautiful reminder to count your blessings, and this handcrafted decor accent is also a gift that gives back.
For each strand of our Oyster Blessing Beads or Decoupage Oyster Blessing Beads purchased, we recycle 10 oyster shells from Charleston restaurants back to Lowcountry oyster reef restoration projects to help save our seas. From $55
Outdoor Yoga Class
Embrace the balance of the spring equinox by attending an outdoor yoga class. Let the sunshine pour over you as you channel your energy toward growth, light, and a grounded center. If you’re revitalizing your practice this year, add a Mantra Bracelet as a joyous reminder to honor your routine.
Chart a Course
Welcome this natural period of birth, reemergence, and growth by setting a new goal or challenging yourself to explore uncharted waters. Let the spring equinox inspire your own fresh start or personal advancement, and wear our Odyssey Charm Bracelet to help you stay the course during your adventures. This handcrafted, delicate bracelet features a crescent moon, a pearl, turquoise stone, and a compass to ground you and help guide your way. $35
Soak up Self-care
Last winter was loooong, girl, so treat yourself to some self-care to kick off the spring equinox. Celebrate longer days and more sunshine by nurturing yourself. We’re smitten with Motherland Essentials’ Intention Tub Tea. This beautiful blend of lavender, chamomile, lemon balm, orange peel, Dead Sea salt, and Epsom salt eases your body into a sense of stillness and calm. $15
Be the Light
A rising tide lifts all boats, so celebrate the spring equinox by paying forward a few random acts of kindness. You’ll be amazed at how impactful a kind gesture can be. If you missed our Instagram stories for World Kindness Day, we can’t recommend “flower bombing” loved ones and strangers enough. A simple bundle of blooms tied up with brown paper and string (especially when they’re from our loves at Salt + Stem) can sow the seeds for a better, brighter tomorrow filled with sunshine and smiles.
Sow Some Seeds
Bloom where you’re planted! Embrace this turning of the tide and the return of spring by planting a garden, some herbs, supporting a community garden, or even throwing out a few seed bombs and seeing what happens (this last one is for all y’all with the black thumbs).
The spring equinox is a moment of centered balance before an immense period of growth, and watching Mother Nature do her thang is a fabulous celebration, in and of itself.
Flower Power
Put some spring in your step by bringing this season’s blooms into your home. The vernal equinox marks the annual return of one of our favorite things: spring flowers! Besides providing a critical food source for pollinators, flowers help boost your mood by infusing your space with vibrant color, beauty, and hope.
Come pick up a fresh, fragrant bouquet for your home during Grit & Grace Studio’s Flower Fridays! Each Friday, we’ll be offering a limited number of gorgeous arrangements at our King Street Flagship from our favorite mobile florist, Salt + Stem.
Host Loved Ones
Gather your tribe for a spring equinox dinner party. People appreciate togetherness now more than ever, so make your loved ones feel extra special by saving their seat with a customized Gilded Oyster Place Card. These heirloom gifts double as party favors, and your loved ones can display them as nautical decor accents.
Our Gilded Oyster Place Cards are also gifts that give back: we are proud to recycle 10 oyster shells from local restaurants back to Charleston’s oyster reef restoration projects for each oyster shell product purchased from Grit & Grace Studio. $15
Refresh Your Space
Soak up the sun by reorienting your space to savor those warming rays. Try rearranging your furniture to face your windows, or if you have a porch, deck, or patio, celebrate the spring equinox by creating an outdoor oasis. Our Boho Hammock Swings are favorites among our staff and our shoppers. These beautiful swings are the perfect spot for watching the world go by or tea with a friend!
Welcome the Dawn
Not a morning person? We get it, trust us. Buuuut there’s something so special about celebrating a new era by watching the sunrise. Set your alarm and get up before the sun. Be sure to put a tea kettle on (or brew some very strong coffee), grab your “Let It Bee” Mason Jar Mug, play some relaxing tunes, and light a scented candle to welcome the dawn and celebrate the balance between darkness and light. Let this lovely coastal candle, featuring original artwork by painter Kim Hovell, remind you that the world is your oyster as you start this day anew. $40
However you choose to celebrate the spring equinox, we hope your days are filled with sunshine and warmth.
The return of spring also means that some of our favorite celebrations are right around the corner, such as Mother’s Day, graduation, and Father’s Day.
Let our calligraphy team customize a strand of our Oyster Blessing Beads, an Oyster Ring Dish, or a Gilded Oyster Wine Charm with a name or holiday greeting. And don’t forget to peruse our recently updated beautiful selection of carefully curated gift baskets for everyone on your list.
One Love & Blessings,