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The fall equinox happens each year in September in the Northern Hemisphere. Naturally, it is the counterpoint to the spring equinox in March. The equinoxes are turning points in the wheel of the year
In fall, it's time to celebrate and reap the harvest sowed during the springtime, in preparation for the winter season. The south is edging towards longer days, while the north is ushering in shorter ones.
But why should you celebrate the fall equinox and its traditions? Check out this gallery to find out!
On the fall equinox, the sun appears to pass what's called the "celestial equator." The point is an imaginary line in the sky that extends from the Earth's equator.
The fall equinox marks the beginning of autumn. At the time of the equinox, the Earth's rotation is not pointing towards or away from the sun at either pole.
The word "equinox" is Latin in origin. It is made up of two words: equi, meaning equal, and nox, meaning night. The hours of day and night are roughly equal at this time.
The equinox can occur anytime between September 21 to 24. This is because the sun's movements do not sync precisely with the Gregorian calendar. The solar year, also known as the tropical year, is slightly longer than the calendar year.
The full moon that takes place closest to the fall equinox is known as the harvest moon. The harvest moon appears to rise faster than usual, and at the same time each evening, for several nights in a row.
Around the fall equinox, the moon's orbit is at a low angle relative to the Earth. The brightness of the moonlight may have helped harvest workers in the past, who would be busy into the sunset hours.
The fall equinox held symbolic significance in many cultures. Some places engaged in activities directly related to the equinox, while others developed feasts to mark the change of the seasons.
In the ancient Greek world, Thesmophoria was celebrated to coincide with the fall equinox. The festival is believed to date back to 11 BCE.
Demeter and Persephone were goddesses associated with fertility and the agricultural world. The pre-harvest rituals of Thesmophoria called on these deities for protection over the women's fertility.
Thesmophoria was celebrated over three days, by adult women only. The rituals practiced were kept private from men. The festival honored the goddess Demeter and her daughter Persephone.
Cypriot women would 'mourn' Adonis before the equinox, treating him as dead. Afterwards, they would hide or bury pots filled with 'him.' These pots were composed of earth and plants that would be sprouting when they dug them up.
Ancient Cyprus was a place of worship for the god Adonis. A god of fertility and life, on the fall equinox women in Cyprus had a tradition of honoring him.
In Mesopotamia, the Assyrians associated the equinox with the harvest and agriculture. The autumn equinox was the time barley was sowed.
An autumnal New Year's festival call Akitu was created to honor the souls of the dead. Lasting 11 days, it marked the victory of the moon over the sun as the nights grew longer.
The people of pre-Islamic Iran celebrated an autumnal equinox festival called Mehregan. People enjoyed the symbolic fruits of the season, such as pomegranates, grapes, apples, and pistachios.
Local monarchs would dance and drink in public wearing purple costumes and sun-shaped crowns to delight the crowds. The festival is associated with Zoroastrian culture.
The autumn equinox day is a public holiday in Japan. Modern Shunbun no Hi is a secular holiday to pay tribute to the spirits of the dead.
Another festival, Ohigan, is marked by Buddhists in Japan, close to the autumn equinox. It celebrates the cycles of death and rebirth.
Lithuania celebrates the equinox with a festival each year. Fire shows and the burning of straw sculptures take place in the capital, Vilnius, to mark Baltic Unity Day on the equinox.
The festival ties to the story of Chang'e, a woman who drank the elixir of life. Once she became immortal, she decided to move to the moon. People eat moon cakes in her honor on this feast.
The Moon Festival is celebrated in China and Vietnam. Held at the closest full moon to the autumn equinox, it's customary to burn incense and make offerings to the dead.
The shadow of a giant serpent appears on the steps and descends each stair, until it connects with a serpent's head at the bottom of the staircase. It's believed the feathered serpent god Kukulkan is blessing his followers on his way to the Underworld.
Mayan priests lead ceremonies at Chichen-Itzá, with performances, Mayan cuisine and music, purification rituals, and yoga taking place.
At Chichen-Itzá, the equinox attracts visitors to a fall phenomenon known as the "serpent of light." Here, the sun aligns with the temple, as it is positioned directly over the equator.
Neo-druids meet at Stonehenge to mark the autumn equinox, by watching the sun rise over the stones.
While there is some disagreement about the name "Mabon," many pagans celebrate the equinox with altars, offerings, and rituals honoring the harvest.
Neo-paganism recognizes the fall equinox as Mabon. It was named, in the 1970d, after a deity in Welsh mythology.
The Christian feast of Michaelmas is held close to the fall equinox. In the Middle Ages, Michelmas coincided with the harvest season, with many traditions accompanying it.
Michaelmas is a celebration of the Archangel Michael, who is considered the greatest protector of all the angels against Satan. His feast day is September 29.
The equinox is a time to enjoy the changing of the seasons, with the arrival of fall foliage, fruits, and vegetables. Equinox observations around the world differ, but they emphasize the concepts of gratitude and celebration.
Sources: (Britannica) (Pure Synergy) (Learn Religions) (Grunge) (History) (Bustle) (BBC Sky at Night)
Should you celebrate the fall equinox?
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LIFESTYLE Autumn
The fall equinox happens each year in September in the Northern Hemisphere. Naturally, it is the counterpoint to the spring equinox in March. The equinoxes are turning points in the wheel of the year
In fall, it's time to celebrate and reap the harvest sowed during the springtime, in preparation for the winter season. The south is edging towards longer days, while the north is ushering in shorter ones.
But why should you celebrate the fall equinox and its traditions? Check out this gallery to find out!