If it's been over 24 hours and you haven't gotten a confirmation email, and still can't login (email could end up in spam or may be unreliable due to server load weirdness) then I think you should reapply, as you're likely in 'limbo'. Apparently there isn't really a way for the admins to notify people via Lemmy if their application hasn't been accepted for whatever reason. Although it's possible you have been approved as others are reporting similar issues here https://beehaw.org/post/533893.
If you reapply make sure you read the FAQ here https://beehaw.org/post/452132 and engage with the 'why do you want to join' question. I'm sure the mods are properly slammed with requests lately but I believe registration is still open.
I got the spinny thing the first time I tried to submit, but hard refreshing seemed to help and it went through the next try.