What are your plans this Spring Equinox? Spring equinox is like a special day when light and dark are balanced just right. As it draws closer, it comes with a reminder that nature has its own patterns that repeat over and over, and this particular event shows us that winter is ending and spring is starting… bringing new life and growth. Tuning into the Earth's frequencies during this season can help us grow and feel refreshed too. In this episode, I’m so happy to welcome back our residential green witch and my dear plant friend, Rachael of Our Infinite Nature! She’s here to celebrate the upcoming Spring Equinox, share her insights on what's happening in the earth, sky, and ourselves during spring, and offer practices for connecting deeply with the powerful changes that happen in spring.In this episode, we learn:[01:58] Connecting with nature and the seasons[04:18] Cultivating intuition with plants[05:58] Why “awe” is a spiritual emotion[09:15] The importance of “seasonal living”[12:16] What is happening to the earth during Spring Equinox?[15:48] Brighten up your plants this spring with Soltech's grow lights![18:01] Learn modern, low-maintenance approach to home food gardening with "The Layered Edible Garden" by Christina Chung[20:34] How external stimuli trigger personal growth/development[25:15] What are the astrological insights for the Spring Equinox?[29:33] In case you don’t know, I’m an Aries baby![30:15] Why new moon in Aries = start of the new year (astrologically)[32:34] What are the positive aspects of the eclipse season?[35:09] Gardening tips for different moon phases[37:52] What are the best practices to nurture growth and vitality during spring?[45:51] Plants that embody spring energy[55:25] How to create your own seasonal bowl/altar[58:10] Spring awakening (a guided meditation)[01:08:10] Where can you find Rachael?Mentioned in our conversation:Growing Joy Ep 265 Everyday Plant Magic with Rachael of Infinite SucculentGrowing Joy Ep 225 Indoor Plant Projects for Stress Relief with Perla Sofía Curbelo-SantiagoGrowing Joy Ep 223 Cultivating Intuition with Nature with Rachael of Our Infinite NatureGrowing Joy Ep 219 How to Care for AlocasiasGrowing Joy Ep 209 Plant Magic: How to Be a Green Witch with Rachael from Infinite SucculentGrowing Joy Eo 182 Spring Houseplant Care, Ep 182Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants, book by Robin Wall Kimmerer ¡Verdura! – Living a Garden Life: 30 Projects to Nurture Your Passion for Plants and Find Your Bliss, book by Perla Sofía Curbelo-SantiagoPre-order Rachael’s new book Self-care for Eco-Anxiety: 52 Weekly Practices for Positive, Personal Change Through the Power of Nature by Rachael CohenFor a deeper dive into Rachael's guided spring meditation,check out the full show notes and blog here!Thank you to our episode sponsors:Soltech SolutionsEnsure your plants are ready for the spring sun when you supply them with enough light indoors! Soltech Solutions offers grow lights with full-spectrum white light that mimics the sun to keep your plants happy and healthy: whether you are looking for a pendant light, track lighting, or a simple bulb to screw into any standard light fixture, Soltech has got you covered. They offer quality products with great customer service, free shipping, and a multi-year warranty. Keep the sun shining and the plants green inside your home with Soltech Solutions.Check them out at soltechsolutions.com and get 15% off with code "bloom15".Quarto: The Layered Edible Garden by Christina ChungSay goodbye to long, straight rows of vegetable plants lined up and prone to pests and diseases, and say hello to taking your cues from nature and creating a garden filled with layers of food-producing plants with the new book The Layered Edible Garden. Food gardening pro Christina Chung of @fluent.garden introduces a modern approach to home food gardening that follows nature’s lead by growing plants in mixed communities, instead of in agriculture-centric monocultures. Learn how to build a mini “food forest” of 8 different layers that will produce food for years to come and require less work and fewer resources.Grab the book at your favorite local bookstore, bookshop.org, quarto.com, Barnes & Noble or amazon.com.Follow Rachael:WebsiteInstagramTikTokFacebookYouTubeFollow Maria and Growing Joy:Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha LeungJoin the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet! Get your FREE 2-week trial here!Take the Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!Instagram: @growingjoywithmariaTiktok: @growingjoywithmariaSubscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmariaWebsite: www.growingjoywithmaria.comPinterest: @growingjoywithmaria