The Spring Equinox (Northern Hemisphere, Autumnal Equinox (Mabon) in the Southern Hemisphere) occurs at 09:27 UTC (GMT). The Sun will shine directly on the equator and there will be nearly equal amounts of day and night throughout the world. This is the time when the planet is in perfect balance between light and dark. It is also the time when the sun enters Aries which is the first constellation of the Astrological year and heralds a new beginning.
For pagans it is the first of four Fire Festivals known as Ostara. It comes from the Germanic Goddess of Spring Eostre, celebrating a time of fertility and of sowing seeds. Germanic tribes honoured this lunar goddess who mated with a fertility god around this time of year, and then gave birth nine months later – at Yule the festival celebrating the return of the sun at the winter solstice.
In ancient Rome, the followers of Cybele believed that their goddess had a consort who was born via a virgin birth. His name was Attis, and he died and was resurrected each year during the time of the vernal equinox (between March 22 and March 25).
In most ancient cultures there are Gods and Goddesses relating to fertility being celebrated. The Roman God Mithras and The Goddess Cybele whose legends are remarkably similar to the Jesus resurrection story and the virgin birth.
Other celebrations at this time
The Mayans celebrate the return of the sun serpent and have done since ancient times.
There is also the ancient Egyptian Festival of Pelusia, with the Egyptian Goddess Isis working her spring magic to ensure the flooding of the Nile later in the year, thereby guaranteeing a fruitful harvest. Many modern religions have festivals around this time as well.
Christians celebrate Easter and the resurrection of Christ, Jews celebrate the Passover, Hindu’s have Holi a celebration of fire, colour, fertility and new life. Persians have Chahar-Shanbeh Suri where people purify their homes and leap over fires to welcome the 13-day celebration of Naw-Ruz, which means "new day." It is a celebration of hope and renewal.