March Equinox: Conversation between the I and AM by Matías De Stefano
ME: So, the March Equinox is the first portal of the year.
I AM: No.
ME: What do you mean no?
I AM: As always, we ask ourselves again: from whose perspective?
ME: Oh, sure…
I AM: We consider the March Equinox a strategic point to begin, according to the Northern Hemisphere, since spring begins on this specific day, while for the Southern Hemisphere it’s autumn. And spring is a good time to begin, since plants begin to sprout again, which means the time for sowing is near.
ME: Ah, that’s why the horoscope also starts on this day. Aries.
I AM: The moment of beginning, the baby who begins to grow, the goat that in ancient times was given as an offering to the Earth, returning wealth, winter nourishment to Mother Earth, so that she may give us life again. A Middle Eastern tradition that went from the field to the sky.
ME: So if everything is a cycle of constant transformation, it’s impossible to say when the beginning is.
I AM: Remember that the Year is an idea generated by cultures to record that a complete revolution around the sun has already been completed. But a revolution can be counted from any instant; that is, every second can be considered a new year. However, the seasonal points of movement or equinoxes of movement (Solstices and Equinoxes) are key to determining the ends and beginnings of something. Therefore, we have four moments in the year that can be considered a beginning and an end.
ME: Why do we use December 31st as the end of the year? And not some other date.
I AM: Because the December Solstice, around the 21st, represents the darkest day of the year, the longest night, and then, over the next three days, the return to longer days begins. Wouldn’t you consider this fundamental to a grand ending and a grand beginning?
ME: Totally.
SOY: The problem is that this also happens in June, but in the southern hemisphere.
ME: So that new year, below the equator, would begin on June 21st.
I AM: Exactly.
ME: And why isn’t it celebrated?
I AM: Because the only traditions that lived this reality were native peoples with culture, traditions, spiritual and artistic wealth, but without civilizations with expansive organizations. The Ona, Mapuche, Selknam, Anangu, Koori, Maori, Zulu, Xhosa, to mention just 5% of the southern inhabitants, and so many others, all of them were easily dominated by European traditions. The only important civilization in the southern world was the Quechua-Aymara empire, the famous Incas, who opened the doors to the conquerors. Thus, all traditions of time, of the way of understanding the world and its movement, came to be solely in the hands of the vision of the Semitic cultures of the Middle East. However, for other traditions, the important moments are not the solstices, but the equinoxes. In ancient Persia, for example, or Hindu and Indonesian traditions, they use the beginning of spring as the beginning of the year. However, other traditions celebrate it at different times. In turn, some are not even based on the cycle of the Solar Cross, but on the moons, like the Chinese calendar.
ME: And why are we going to start the task with the March Equinox and not with others?
I AM: Simply because it is the first portal moment after the Portal day of February 22nd, the moment of the Network activation, which exactly 2 years ago activated this planetary task that began 4 years ago in the same month, on February 2nd. The anniversary of the Network reconnection mission is the month of February, and therefore, for us, the planetary reconnection tasks will generally begin in March.
ME: Ah, I understand.
I AM: In Atlantean times, this day was called Hol-Phyr, which means Time, Cycle, or Stage of Fire. This was the name given to the period between the March equinox and the June solstice, as it was the time when we reconnected with our inner power, the divine spark that ignites our potential. The seed is synonymous with the spark, and therefore, fire was found in that tiny aspect that provided food, which gave us strength, life, and energy.
ME: Is that the intention of these following months?
I AM: This is the intention that we will all put together in this Cycle of Fire.
ME: How?
I AM: Let’s remember the mission and how to prepare for it, before stepping on the first of the 5 Nodes that we will activate on March 20th.
This article was published on Matías De Stefano’s blog, where he shares his reflections and teachings on planetary transformation processes and spiritual consciousness.
We now share the special meditation to accompany this March Equinox portal. This meditation is conducted in both Spanish and English simultaneously. We invite you to take a few minutes to connect with this experience and deepen into its energy.
In the series The Journey of Remembering, available on Gaia, Matías De Stefano shares his personal and spiritual journey since childhood, revealing memories of past lives and the deeper purpose of his mission on Earth. Through each episode, he guides the viewer on a journey of connection with the soul’s history, the planet’s energetic movements, and the awakening of collective consciousness.
About the Author
What Is the Astral Plane and How to Explore It Consciously
The astral plane is a subtle dimension that coexists with our physical reality and allows consciousness to act beyond the body. Many spiritual traditions teach that it is possible to access this dimension consciously through specific practices. In this article, we explore what the astral plane is, how it differs from other planes, and how it can be experienced directly.
Table of Contents
- What Is the Astral Plane and How Does It Differ From Other Planes?
- The Astral World in Different Spiritual Traditions
- The Connection Between the Astral Plane and Dreams
- Astral Travel: How to Access the Astral Plane Consciously
- Is It Safe to Explore the Astral Plane?
- How to Integrate Astral Experiences Into Daily Life
What Is the Astral Plane and How Does It Differ From Other Planes?
The astral plane is a non-physical dimension in which consciousness continues operating outside the material body. It is characterized by being a subtle environment, where emotions and thoughts directly influence perceived reality. In this space, physical laws as we know them do not exist, which allows for experiences of instantaneous movement, encounters with subtle entities, and access to expanded levels of perception.
This plane is often described as an intermediate reality between the physical world and the higher dimensions of consciousness. There, emotions, deep desires, symbolic thoughts, and archetypal images manifest. It is a dimension where experiences have a more subjective character, but are no less real for that reason. Many consider it a bridge between the inner self and higher levels of being.
Consciously accessing the astral plane allows one to expand the perception of oneself and of reality. For this reason, it has been explored for centuries by spiritual seekers looking for answers beyond the material world. Through certain practices—such as deep meditation, lucid dreaming, or astral travel—it is possible to experience this dimension directly and use it as a tool for self-knowledge and inner evolution.
The Astral World in Different Spiritual Traditions
Many spiritual traditions have recognized the existence of the astral plane, although under different names and approaches. In Hinduism, it is associated with the lokas, subtle worlds where different forms of consciousness reside, and which can be accessed both after death and in states of deep meditation. These non-physical planes are part of the structure of the universe and reflect different levels of vibration and spiritual evolution.
In Tibetan Buddhism, the astral plane is related to the bardo, an intermediate state that occurs between death and rebirth, but which can also be explored during life through practices of deep meditation and training in conscious dreaming. This intermediate space allows consciousness to free itself from the restrictions of the physical body and experience non-ordinary realities. For advanced practitioners, mastery of the bardo is key on the path toward enlightenment.
Shamanism, present in many ancestral cultures, also recognizes the existence of non-physical realities accessible in altered states of consciousness. Through trance or the use of sacred plants, shamans travel to these worlds to receive guidance, heal, or retrieve information. These experiences often coincide with descriptions of the astral plane: shifting environments, symbolic beings, and a direct interaction between the inner and outer worlds.
The Connection Between the Astral Plane and Dreams
During sleep, consciousness partially disengages from the physical body and external stimuli. In that state, a spontaneous access to the astral plane may occur, without the person intentionally provoking it. These experiences are often distinguished by their intensity, by a sense of expanded reality, or by the appearance of scenarios and situations that do not seem to be generated by the personal mind. Although not all dreams take place in the astral plane, there is a direct connection between the dream world and this subtle dimension, especially when certain states of expanded consciousness are reached.
One of the clearest forms of that connection is lucid dreaming, which occurs when the person becomes aware that they are dreaming while the dream continues. At that moment, the dreamer can observe, decide, and act within the dream in a deliberate way. When that lucidity is sustained, it is possible for the dream to stop being merely a mental projection and become a real experience in the astral plane. For this reason, the development of lucid dreams is considered a direct path to begin consciously exploring this non-physical dimension.
Astral Travel: How to Access the Astral Plane Consciously
Unlike dreams, in which access to the astral plane can occur involuntarily and without conscious control, astral travel is an intentional experience. It involves leaving the physical body while keeping consciousness awake, with the purpose of exploring the astral plane directly. It is a natural process that can be activated through specific practices and proper training of consciousness.
There are different techniques that help induce astral travel consciously. Some of the most commonly used include guided visualization, breathing exercises, and meditation practices that allow the mind to remain alert while the body enters a state of total rest. The point of transition usually occurs when the body is completely relaxed, but consciousness remains awake, focused, and free of distractions.
In the series Mystery Teachings, available on Gaia, this process is explained step by step. The episode How to Astral Travel offers a clear guide for those seeking to experience the astral plane safely and consciously. Through practical examples and accessible explanations, the keys to beginning this practice and recognizing when the experience is starting are presented.
Is It Safe to Explore the Astral Plane?
One of the most common fears among those who begin astral travel is safety. The idea of leaving the body can generate uncertainty, but the astral plane does not represent a danger if the experience is carried out with calm and clarity. Consciousness always remains connected to the physical body, so it is not possible to “get lost” or become trapped outside of it.
However, as with any process of inner exploration, it is essential to take care of one’s emotional state before beginning the experience. The practice should be carried out in a calm environment, with a clear intention and free of anxiety. Unstable emotional states or fear can distort the experience and generate confusing perceptions, since the astral plane responds directly to the practitioner’s internal state.
For this reason, it is recommended to move forward with respect, without forcing results, and to maintain an observant attitude. Keeping a record of experiences, resting well, and not becoming obsessed with outcomes are key to sustaining a healthy practice. Over time, astral exploration can become a valuable tool for self-knowledge, without risks when it is carried out with balance and awareness.
How to Integrate Astral Experiences Into Daily Life
Exploring the astral plane is not an end in itself, but an opportunity to expand personal understanding. The experiences lived there can reveal blockages, pending lessons, or internal capacities that are not always available in ordinary consciousness. What matters is being able to translate those experiences into concrete actions or meaningful reflections.
One way to integrate what has been experienced is to keep a journal in which sensations, symbols, or messages received during travels are recorded. This makes it possible to identify patterns, follow personal processes, and recognize the subtle changes that occur over time. It also helps develop a clearer perspective on what is being experienced, without falling into fanciful interpretations.
Giving space to what has been learned in daily life by practicing greater presence, making more conscious decisions, and cultivating deeper emotional understanding gives true meaning to the astral experience. It is not just about leaving the body, but about using that capacity to live with greater awareness and coherence on the physical plane.
