T H E  J O Y  O F  S P R I N G

Our latest playlist on SK Radio is all about the regenerative spirit of the Vernal Equinox. The Equinox marks the quarter-point for our planet’s rotation around the sun, which means that if you live in the Northern Hemisphere, days are about to be longer, warmer, and brighter as winter officialy ends and spring begins.

In Ancient Rome, this period of transition was celebrated with a festival to honor the mother of the gods, Cybele.

Romans structured the festival to represent a myth about Cybele, wherein she saves an infant who was left to die in the elements and eventually resurrects him from the dead.

As such, in observance of the festival, there would be fasting, sacrifice, public flogging, and other dark acts that ranged from mournful to bloody.

But all of this would eventually funnel into the day of celebration: Hilaria, or the day of Joy. The festival was a day of excessive and elaborate entertainment, games, and fun, with masquerades being the most popular.

Hilaria was a day during which people would step into whatever role they wanted to play, and it was permitted—think a little bit Easter, a little bit Halloween, and a little bit Carnival. All of this, of course, was accompanied by music, dancing, food, and games. 

If the above doesn't describe the day you'll likely have on the Spring Equinox, we hope that listening to the SK Radio Hilaria Playlist can at least provide you with a 90-minute audible dive into the day of Joy.

It’s meant to be heard at very high volume in a space where you are comfortable moving if you so desire. If you have a long drive tonight and you need some cathartic, positive vibes to launch you into Spring, we’ve got you covered.

Happy Vernal Equinox!

SK Radio: Hilaria, or the day of Joy