Appendices

Designed by Raúl Lázaro

Spring Equinox

The spring equinox, also called the vernal equinox, is a powerful symbol of harmony, rebirth, and transformation. It marks the moment when day and night are nearly equal, symbolising the triumph of light over darkness.

This celestial event echoes themes of renewal, fertility, and fresh starts. Icons like eggs, rabbits, and blooming flowers vividly reflect nature’s awakening and vibrant vitality.

Core Themes

Balance and Transition

Derived from Latin "aequus" (equal) and "nox" (night), this time embodies the shift where light overtakes darkness, representing harmony within ourselves and the world.

Rebirth and Fertility

Symbols such as eggs—linked to creation myths—rabbits—fertility symbols—and seeds celebrate new ideas, life, and projects beginning anew.

Cultural New Year

Many traditions, including Persian Nowruz, honour this season as a time for renewal and fresh beginnings.

Ritual Cleansing

Spring cleaning and bonfires symbolise clearing away winter’s stagnation and welcoming warmth and light.

Mythological Roots

Deities like Ostara, Flora, and Persephone reveal the deep mythological roots of this seasonal turning point.

Being Born on the Spring Equinox

Birth on or around March 20–21 in the Northern Hemisphere carries profound symbolism, representing a merging of endings (winter/Pisces) and new beginnings (spring/Aries). It’s an archetype of balance, renewal, and energetic vitality.

Core Themes

Balance and Equilibrium

The perfect harmony of day and night reflects inner balance. Those born on this day often excel at blending emotion with action, harmony with ambition.

Cosmic Thresholds and Astrology

Merging Pisces’ intuition with Aries’ fire, this moment bridges emotional depth with energetic action. The Sun entering Aries marks the start of the astrological New Year, heralding leadership and pioneering spirit.

Leadership and Creativity

People born around the equinox are often trailblazers, excelling as innovative and vibrant leaders.

The In-Between Space

This cusp birth embodies transition, serving as a bridge between winter and summer—a magical space of transformation and renewal.

Black and White

Black and white symbolise essential dualities: good and evil, conscious and subconscious, presence and absence, life and death. Together, they evoke sophistication, minimalism, and timeless elegance. Individually, black signifies mystery, power, and authority, while white stands for purity, clarity, and cleanliness.

Core Themes

Black

Represents authority, mystery, death, mourning, and elegance. In design, it creates drama, depth, and luxury.

White

Symbolises purity, innocence, simplicity, and openness. It offers light and clarity and, in excess, can suggest emptiness.

Contrast

Used together, they produce dramatic, high-contrast imagery, emphasising timelessness and stripping away distraction to focus on form and texture.

Mourning

While black is the Western colour of mourning, white is traditionally worn for funerals in many Asian and African cultures.

Symbolic Duality

The yin-yang symbol captures these as interdependent forces.

Psychology

Black often relates to the unknown or fear; white, to clarity and calm.

Abstraction

Black-and-white photography emphasises light and shadow, abstracting reality.

Emotion

Removing colour deepens emotional connection and invites personal interpretation.

Horizontal Lines

Horizontal lines evoke a sense of stability, calmness, and serenity, grounding us in the material world. They symbolise the earthly journey, linear time, and human relationships across cultures and traditions.

Core Themes

Stability and Repose

Like a horizon stretching endlessly, horizontal lines suggest rest, peace, and a deep sense of groundedness.

The Material World

They embody the "horizontal plane of life"—symbolising time, space, and daily human experience, contrasting with the spiritual vertical realm.

Art and Symbolism

Artists use horizontal lines to evoke tranquillity, openness, and a vast sense of space.

Meditation and Thought

Meditating on horizontal lines encourages grounding oneself in the present, fostering acceptance and peace of mind. 

White Cherry Blossom

White cherry blossoms, or sakura, are more than just beautiful flowers; they embody purity, innocence, and the promise of new beginnings. Their delicate blooms often evoke feelings of freshness and a clean slate, inspiring us to embrace the present. Their fleeting nature reminds us of life's transience, urging us to appreciate each moment. The brief bloom also symbolises renewal and serenity.

Core Themes

Purity and Innocence

With their pristine white petals, these blossoms symbolise purity, simplicity, and peace, making them iconic at weddings and memorials.

The Fleeting Nature of Life (Impermanence)

Like all sakura, white blossoms bloom fleetingly before falling, reflecting life's transient beauty and encouraging us to cherish every moment.

Renewal and New Beginnings

Blooming in early spring, they herald new starts, hope, and fresh opportunities.

Remembrance

White cherry blossom trees serve as poignant memorials, honouring loved ones with a sense of peaceful remembrance.

Cultural Significance (Sakura)

In Japanese tradition, they symbolise the warrior's ethos—living fully and appreciating life's brevity.

Born on the Spring Equinox was not created in a vacuum; it is a tapestry woven from the many books and authors that have fascinated me since childhood. From the enchanting worlds of Carlo Collodi's Pinocchio, with its moral lessons and whimsical characters, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s The Little Prince, which explores innocence and human nature, and Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, a tale rich with wordplay and surreal imagery, I absorbed rich symbolism and vivid imagination, reading them repeatedly and letting their themes seep into my own storytelling.

As I grew older, my curiosity expanded into the mystical and philosophical realms. The works of Paulo Coelho, such as The Alchemist, Brida, and Veronica Decides to Die, and Louise Hay’s self-help books played a subtle yet persistent role—titles like these echo through the novel’s spiritual undertones, inspiring themes of self-discovery, healing, and spiritual awakening.

My journey took a profound turn when I read Jostein Gaarder’s Sophie’s World, a novel that guided me through the history of philosophy from ancient Greece to modern thought, shifting my focus from childhood tales and esoteric musings to the frontiers of philosophical inquiry and Western intellectual tradition. At nineteen, I dared to dream of becoming a writer—penning the first chapter of my debut novel—though I recognised I needed more life experience and a broader intellectual grounding before completing my first book.

During my early twenties, my passion for history and literature deepened significantly. Studying at university, I devoured works by Sylvia Plath, Virginia Woolf, Clarice Lispector, Oscar Wilde, Machado de Assis, Thomas Mann, Allen Ginsberg, and Jack Kerouac. Their distinct voices and literary styles enriched my perspective, leaving traces throughout Born on the Spring Equinox and shaping my approach to storytelling.

Later, after graduating with a degree in History, I turned to Philosophy. The writings of Martin Heidegger’s existential analysis, Sartre’s phenomenology, Lacan’s psychoanalytic theories, and Freud’s pioneering ideas—figures who challenge and explore the depths of human existence—are woven into the fabric of the novel, either directly through references or indirectly through its themes of identity, consciousness, and absurdity.

My passion for storytelling truly ignited in my thirties, when I enrolled in drama school. Experimenting with theatrical sketches and inspired by The Theatre of the Absurd—a movement pioneered by playwrights like Samuel Beckett and Eugène Ionesco—I explored the strange, often surreal aspects of life that now find voice in my writing, emphasising the absurdity and fragility of human existence.

From the very beginning, I knew these diverse influences had to be part of the story I wanted to tell. Years of reflection, study, and dedication culminated in Born on the Spring Equinox—a complex web of inspirations that reflects my literary and philosophical journey, ultimately standing as a testament to the transformative power of influence and the enduring art of storytelling.

The term butoh, which appears throughout Born on the Spring Equinox, may be unfamiliar to many readers, so this post aims to shed some light on its intriguing origins and evolution.

Butoh emerged in Japan in 1959, sparked by Tatsumi Hijikata's provocative performance, Kinjiki. Originally called ‘ankoku butoh’ (dance of utter darkness), it was later shortened to butoh and became a canvas for a diverse array of artists.

Butoh challenged the constraints of Western dance and the rigidity of traditional Japanese forms like Noh drama and Nihon Buyo. Born out of a reaction to World War II and a rebellion against Western influences, butoh shares pedagogical ties with German Expressionist dance and the ideas of French thinkers, philosophers, and social critics Jean Genet and Antonin Artaud, embracing contradictions that make butoh truly captivating.

Founders Tatsumi Hijikata and Kazuo Ohno were both trained dancers, and while butoh originated within a dance framework, it has been enriched by experimental fusions with theatre and visual art.

Butoh’s history is a tapestry of shifting phases. The rebellious, improvisational 1960s gave way to the transformative forms of the 1970s. By the 1980s, distinct artists and approaches had emerged—some theatrical, others abstract, with site-specific improvisations adding further diversity.

A receptive, responsive body is key in butoh; the performer must be capable of being moved and transformed by internal and external stimuli: “the dancer should not dance, but be danced”. Butoh also encourages dancers to embrace the body's 'weakness', turning vulnerability into a powerful mode of expression.

Ultimately, a master butoh dancer transforms not just their body but also the space around them, creating a profound connection with the audience. Drawing on dreams, the unconscious, and the irrational, butoh leaves space for viewers to interpret and engage, offering a rich, metaphorical universe to explore.

Key characteristics of butoh include:

• Origin: Created in 1959 by Hijikata with the provocative performance Kinjiki.
• Style: Known as "dances of darkness", exploring themes of life, death, decay, and the subconscious, rejecting conventional dance constraints.
• Appearance: Dancers often appear nude or minimally dressed, covered in white paint, using slow, contorted movements to embody raw energy.
• Philosophy: A raw, honest exploration of humanity, aiming to transcend societal constraints, sometimes delving into trauma.
• Evolution: From underground rebellion in the 60s to a structured yet deeply interpretative art form.

 

The narrative of Born on the Spring Equinox is significantly influenced by Existentialism, a philosophical movement that examines human existence, personal freedom, and individual agency. The main character, Angelo, a performing artist diagnosed with bipolar disorder, struggles with feelings of alienation from society, pervasive anxiety about his purpose in life, and the imperative to forge a unique identity within an indifferent universe. Existentialism, prominent in 19th and 20th-century philosophy, emphasises the importance of personal choice, moral responsibility, and subjective experience. It claims that "existence precedes essence", meaning humans are not born with predetermined purposes but must create their own meaning through deliberate actions and decisions in a universe often perceived as absurd or purposeless. Central themes include confronting anxiety, pursuing authenticity through honest self-awareness, and accepting radical freedom—the capacity and duty to shape one’s destiny.

Existential philosophy has profoundly influenced psychology, especially existential therapy, as well as literature, both of which emphasise the richness of human experience and the importance of personal choice.

Key Principles of Existentialism

• Existence Precedes Essence: Humans emerge into existence without inherent purpose and define themselves through their choices and actions.
• Radical Freedom & Responsibility: Without divine decree or fixed human nature, individuals possess complete freedom to select their paths and are fully accountable for their consequences.
• The Absurd: The tension between humans' innate quest for meaning and the universe’s silence and indifference towards this pursuit.
• Authenticity: Living authentically involves embracing one's freedom, making genuine choices aligned with one’s true self, and resisting "bad faith", a denial of freedom to evade responsibility.
• Angst/Anxiety: Recognising the scope of personal freedom and responsibility can produce existential dread, as individuals grapple with the weight of creating their own purpose.

Key Figures

• Albert Camus: Highlighted the absurd condition of human life and urged embracing life passionately despite its lack of inherent meaning.
• Jean-Paul Sartre: Named the concept that "existence precedes essence" and introduced "bad faith", a form of self-deception used to evade authentic freedom.
• Martin Heidegger: Explored the concept of "being" (Dasein) and stressed the importance of authentic existence rooted in awareness of mortality.
• Friedrich Nietzsche: Declared the death of God, emphasising the necessity for individuals to create their own values and moral frameworks.
• Søren Kierkegaard: Often regarded as the father of existentialism, focusing on subjective truth and individual choice as essential for authentic existence.

Common Misconceptions

• Existentialism is not necessarily nihilism; while acknowledging the absence of inherent objective meaning, it encourages individuals to forge their own subjective purpose.
• It is not strictly atheistic—though often associated with atheism (e.g., Sartre)—but argues that if God does not exist, humans must assume full responsibility for constructing values.

Existentialism and Bipolar Disorder

In Born on the Spring Equinox, Angelo is diagnosed with bipolar disorder in his early twenties —a mental health condition characterised by significant mood swings between episodes of mania, involving increased energy, impulsivity, and grandiosity, and depression, marked by intense sadness, hopelessness, and fatigue. Existentialism intersects with bipolar disorder through the concept of "existential despair", a state where ongoing mood instability prompts profound questions about personal purpose, freedom, and mortality. While medication—such as mood stabilisers like lithium or anticonvulsants—is essential for managing physical symptoms and preventing extreme mood episodes, effectively addressing existential despair requires a therapeutic approach that explores the patient's lived experiences, personal meanings, and sense of identity beyond symptom control.

Existential Challenges in Bipolar Disorder

• Existential Despair: Often presenting as chronic, low-grade depression, this despair manifests as a persistent sense of loss—for careers, meaningful relationships, or a sense of self—extending beyond clinical depression and hindering quality of life.
• Meaninglessness and Isolation: The cyclical nature of bipolar disorder can reinforce feelings of disconnection from "normal" life, fostering a sense that existence lacks inherent meaning. Patients may feel estranged from societal norms and their own internal stability.
• Freedom and Responsibility: Those with bipolar disorder may struggle with the paradox of having the freedom to make choices while feeling constrained by their condition. This tension influences their perceptions of autonomy and personal responsibility, especially in managing energy fluctuations, emotional extremes, and treatment adherence.
• Death and Limitation: Confronting the chronicity of the illness often raises existential concerns about mortality. Patients might develop a heightened awareness of life's fragility, contemplating their limitations and the finite nature of existence.

In Born on the Spring Equinox, Angelo turns to meditation to navigate his internal struggles. Specifically, mindfulness meditation—a practice backed by numerous clinical studies—has shown promising effects in stabilising mood for those with bipolar disorder by fostering emotional regulation and easing symptoms of anxiety and depression. This technique involves paying close attention to the breath and observing emotions without judgment, helping cultivate a sense of calm and a focused awareness of the present moment.

As a natural and evidence-based method for relaxation and stress relief, meditation can be a valuable supplementary tool for managing bipolar disorder. However, it’s important to remember that meditation should never replace traditional treatments. It does not substitute prescribed medications like mood stabilisers, antipsychotics, or antidepressants, nor does it replace psychotherapy approaches such as cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) or dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT). Instead, when supervised by a healthcare professional, meditation can be integrated alongside these established treatments.

Angelo’s interest in Buddhism influences his meditation practice. Nevertheless, it’s vital to clarify that Buddhism, as a spiritual or philosophical path, isn’t a clinical remedy for mental health issues. No meditation or spiritual practice should be seen as a standalone solution. Relying solely on spiritual practices without professional psychological support can be risky, making it crucial to seek qualified mental health care for effective management of bipolar disorder.