On March 20, 2025, at exactly 5:01 am, Eastern Standard Time, the Earth will reach a moment of perfect balance—day and night will be equal. It’s a quiet reminder that, no matter where we are in the world, we are all moving through time together. In New York, where I live, March 20 marks the spring equinox (春分). But in the Southern Hemisphere, it signals the arrival of autumn.
Snowdrops bloom with the arrival of spring.
One of my blog readers once sent me a lovely message, saying that even though she experiences the opposite season, reading these stories helps her feel more in tune with nature. That message stayed with me, inspiring me to write Japanese seasonal stories while imagining people living in different parts of the world.
I often write about Japanese seasonal festivals, foods, and traditions because they help me slow down and savor the present moment, even as I reflect on the past and future. As Artificial intelligence continues to shape our world, change feels constant. In contrast, these small rituals help me feel grounded. Even when we repeat the same traditions each year, they are never quite the same—each season brings new memories and experiences.
In Japan, the three days before the Vernal Equinox are known as Ohigan (お彼岸), a time to honor ancestors and embrace the changing season. This custom is rooted in Buddhist thought, solar movements, and ancient astronomy, with origins dating back to the Heian period (794-1185). During this time, many people visit their ancestors’ graves, offering flowers and incense, and putting their palms together in prayer. When I lived in Japan, I used to visit my family's graves every year around this time. In those quiet moments, standing before my ancestors, I felt connected to something vast and timeless.
The spring sunshine.
In today’s world, where we are constantly overwhelmed with information, it can be difficult to discern what is truly meaningful. Ultimately, I found that the best way to discover what resonates is to listen to my feelings and trust my intuition. For me, aligning with the rhythms of nature sharpens that sense.
By embracing Japanese culture, which is deeply tied to the changing seasons, I find myself reconnecting with my inner clarity. Instead of seeking answers outside ourselves, perhaps the key is to turn inward and fully experience each moment.
This idea is beautifully captured in the phrase Ki-Chu, which means “everything is within”. It reminds us that balance and clarity come not from searching outward, but from tuning in to ourselves and the world around us. When we quiet the noise in our minds, we can truly appreciate the present. Even something as simple as drinking a bowl of matcha can bring a moment of serenity.
What signs of the season have you noticed where you are? I’d love to hear about them.
