Embracing Balance: Spring Equinox & Emotional / Relational Well-Being

The equinox is like a pendulum pausing

at the center of its swing.

Imagine a pendulum in motion, constantly moving between two extremes. At the equinox, it comes to rest—just for a moment—in perfect equilibrium. The light and dark are not fighting for dominance; they exist in harmony, each holding equal space.

This pause is a reminder that life, like the pendulum, is a dance between opposites. We all have moments of brightness and shadow, joy and sorrow, clarity and confusion. The equinox invites us to find our own center, to breathe in the stillness, and to recognize that balance isn’t about eliminating one side or the other—it’s about honoring both.

Just as the pendulum will inevitably swing again, we too will move through cycles of light and dark. But in that fleeting moment of balance, we are reminded that both are essential, both are beautiful, and both are part of the same whole.

The equinox, then, is not just a celestial event—it’s a mirror reflecting the balance we seek within ourselves. 🌓

As the Earth tilts gently toward the sun, we find ourselves at the threshold of a new season—Equinox. This celestial event, occurring twice a year, in Spring & Autumn, marks a moment of perfect balance between day and night, light and dark.

At LoveAlive, we believe this natural phenomenon is more than just an astronomical occurrence; it’s a powerful reminder of the importance of balance in our own lives, especially when it comes to our emotional health and our ability to shift through states as needed ~ a sign of resilience.

At LoveAlive we follow the Wheel of Life for our content calendar (and everything else). The Wheel of the Year represents an ancient European way of aligning with the cycles and seasons of life and nature, similar to the Medicine Wheel of First Nations here on turtle island. The "Old Ones" around the globe, all knew how to connect to the natural realms, elemental beings, and the seasons ~ thus cultural wisdom and traditions are born of these as experienced in place, land. From these are passed down deep knowledge of interdependence, and the nurturance of beings as they mature through life cycles.

We do our best to follow suit as we want to be in as much harmony with all our relations (the spirits of the land, the tree nation/plant nation, 4 leggeds, swimmers, winged ones, crawlers, Mother Earth, and human beings, etc) as we can in these times.

Equinox & Emotional Health

The equinox invites us to pause and reflect. It’s a time to honor the delicate equilibrium that exists within us and around us. Just as the Earth finds harmony between light and shadow, we too are called to explore the interplay of our emotions—joy and sorrow, hope and fear, strength and vulnerability.

This balance isn’t about erasing the difficult feelings or clinging only to the positive ones. It’s about acknowledging the full spectrum of our human experience and finding peace in the midst of it all.

Why the Equinox Matters for Emotional Health

A Time for Renewal

The equinox symbolizes new beginnings. As the seasons shift, we’re reminded that change is a natural part of life. This can be incredibly comforting if you’ve been feeling stuck or overwhelmed. Use this time to release what no longer serves you—whether it’s old habits, negative thought patterns, or emotional baggage. Embrace the opportunity to start fresh, just as nature does.

Cultivating Inner Harmony

Balance is at the heart of emotional well-being. When our lives feel out of sync, it’s often because we’ve neglected certain aspects of ourselves—perhaps prioritizing work over rest, or giving too much to others while forgetting to nurture ourselves. Often, in today's society, imbalances come from residing mostly in our thoughts. To find inner harmony, we need practices that help us come out of our head and into our body and heart - like Qi Gong, Singing, play, and and other body base practices.

This can provide the space to calm our nervous system and allow ourselves to sense and feel without stirring up thoughts and meaning,

allowing emotions to flow - "Let in, let go, let through".

The equinox offers an excellent opportunity to align with the energy of the season and rebalance; to check in with our inner world - Are you giving yourself the care and attention you need? Are you making space for both activity and stillness; for mind and body, thoughts and emotions? Are you coming out of your cave to connect with and care for others

Connecting with Nature’s Rhythms

There’s something deeply grounding about aligning ourselves with the rhythms of nature. The equinox is a perfect time to step outside, breathe in the crisp Spring or Autumn air, and feel the Earth beneath your feet. This connection can help you feel more centered and present, easing anxiety and fostering a sense of belonging to something greater than yourself.

Honoring Light and Shadow

The equinox teaches us that light and dark coexist.

In our emotional lives, this means embracing both the highs and the lows.

It’s okay to feel sadness, anger, or fear—these emotions are just as valid as happiness and joy. Every emotion has its purpose connected to our needs and instincts. Take time to feel into and attune to what your emotions are telling you. By accepting all parts of ourselves, we create a foundation of self-compassion, adaptability, and resilience.

How to Align with & Receive the Energy of the Equinox

Reflect and Release:

Take a few moments to connect with nature, then journal or meditate. What insights or sensations arise? What emotions or experiences are you ready to let go of? What do you want to invite into your life?

Create Rituals:

Light a candle, set an intention, or gather with loved ones to celebrate the season. Rituals can help you feel more connected and intentional. Here is a Qi Gong ritual we like to do called:

Balancing Heaven and Earth Qi Gong - Tian Di He Yi Fa

Our Qi Gong Mentor, Dr Michael Smith, taught to do this practice as the wheel of the year turns on special days like Equinox's and Solstice's. It's a way of attuning to the Qi of the day, of the season, and alchemizing the energies of earth and sky within our bodies.

Practice Gratitude:

The equinox is a beautiful time to express gratitude for the balance in your life—both the challenges and the blessings. Remember, challenges help us grow and it's the way we relate to them that makes the difference in our lives.

Nurture Yourself:

Whether it’s through a warm bath, a walk in nature, or a cozy evening with a good book, prioritize self-care during this transitional time.

Appreciate and Nurture your Relationships:

Our relationships provide us with the richness of life.

Equinox provides a great opportunity to tune into the quality of our relationships.

The balance of giving and receiving in our human relationships and in the natural world.

And the balancing of needs ~

Healthy human relationships rely on the balance of two core needs:

closeness and autonomy; our ability to feel that sense of togetherness and intimacy hinges on our ability to feel connected within and authentically expressive of who we are in the way we lead our life and the way we show up in relationship.

When we form ourselves around the other person, we don't share as much of who we really are and this strategy backfires. Without 2 Selves, how can there be a relationship? Many people experience challenges with this in small ways and in massive ways.

What is the balance like in your relationship? Do you feel you need to get away to be the real you? How can you show up with more authentically in connection (your 100% of your 50% of the relationship)?

At LoveAlive, we believe that emotional & relational health is a journey, not a destination. The Equinox is a gentle reminder that balance is possible, even in the midst of life’s chaos.

During this Equinox time of year, we are preparing a mini course version of our offering ~ Revitalizing Relationships ~ as a resource for anyone inspired to enrich and enhance there journey of emotional and relational wellbeing.

This 4 session course is for our Kootenay community:

(more to come for our beautiful community beyond this local!)

Here’s to balance, the beauty of both light and shadow, renewal, and the ever-turning wheel of the year. 🌿

As you move through this season, may you find peace grounded in your body

and the Earth, open to the ebb and flow of your emotions,

and holding care of self and other in balance.

If you want keep abreast of our offerings here at LoveAlive, consider hopping on our email list:

Vince Wishart

An experienced group facilitator, NLP Life Coach, Registered Therapeutic Counsellor, Author of 12 books on Emotional Fluency, Qi gong Instructor and community builder, Vince has been running men's groups & community talking circles for 7+ years. Read Vince’s Full Bio