Spring Equinox Festival

This is a Summer Camp article written AT GREAT SPEED! It has not yet been edited, so apologies for the copious typos and small text issues.

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The Spring Equinox Festival is a tradition that celebrates the start of spring by bringing people together.

History of the Festival

The equinox is one of two times in the year when the number of daylight and nighttime hours are equal in length. As such, it is a time when nature is considered to be perfectly balenced. Traditionally, this festival is associated with Geiana, goddess of nature, as it is when her powers rise to their strongest during the year, following the end of winter.

Traditions of Celebration

Different regions and countries celebrate the Spring Equinox in different ways, but all at the same time. In general, themes include the revitalization of the land, fertility and togetherness. Some traditional festivals focus more on nature whilst others are more focussed on humanoid courtship.
Along with fertility, one of the most frequent themes is new beginnings. The Spring Equinox is a time of spring cleaning, or new resolutions, and of auspicious starts.

Celebrations in the Laudon Region

In the region surrounding the City State of Laudon, the most traditional way to celebrate the Spring Solstice is with a dinner that brings together everyone in the community. Usually this dinner is held outside, the better to enjoy the spring weather. In wetter years, people meet indoors.
Traditional foods usually include fresh spring crops, like salads of lettuce, spring onion, radish and arugala. Another traditional dish is beetroot, which is often served with smoked fish and garlic-yoghurt sauce. Because of the vibrancy of the color and earthiness of its flavour, beetroot is heavily associated with Geiana, goddess of nature. Rabbit, a symbol of fertility, features in many dishes, as does the roe of freshwater and marine fish.
For desserts, the first of the fresh berries are common fare, as are cakes and pastries sweetened with spring flower honey. It's often the moment that the wine or beer from the previous season, set aside over the winter, is first opened.

Did you know?

...in some regions, usually the temperate ones, it's considered a bad omen if it rains on the equinox. In dry regions, it's thought to be good luck!

... that it's considered unlucky to hold a grudge with someone on the Spring Equinox? Many cultures have a Day of Forgiveness prior to the festival, to put aside any old feuds or disagreements.