Hobbies And Interests
Earth's Orbit
The Earth tilts on its axis as it orbits the sun. As the planet orbits, the axis is pulled either toward or away from the sun in the annual cycle. This process produces yearly events, solstices and equinoxes. Solstices occur in the winter and summer. The winter solstice is the shortest day and longest night of the year. The summer solstice is the longest day and shortest night. Halfway between each solstice are the equinoxes. This period of time is when the center of the sun is observed on Earth as being vertically overhead at the equator.
"Equal Night"
The equinoxes are the two days during the Earth's annual orbit, occurring once in spring and once in fall, when there is exactly 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of nighttime. The word "equinox" is Latin, meaning "equal night." The actual day in which there is equal day and night is not necessarily on the observed day of the equinox, however. This day happens near the date of the equinox, depending on the refraction of the curve of the Earth.
Hemisphere Differences
The phrase "autumnal" is relative to location. The September equinox in the Northern Hemisphere represents the beginning of the time of the year when the sun's power is weaker on the planet. In the Southern Hemisphere, however, the September equinox represents the coming of summer and the sun's full power. This difference is due to the tilt of the Earth on its axis and the elliptical form of our orbit around the sun.
Seasonal Change
Throughout human history, the equinoxes have represented great changes. Structures such as Stonehenge were constructed to monitor the sun on the horizon in order to determine when there would be an equinox. In astrology, the autumnal equinox is when the sun enters Libra, the sun of balance. Mabon is the main autumn harvest festival of contemporary pagans, known as Wiccans. The full moon nearest the autumnal equinox is known as the "Harvest Moon" when farmers harvest their crops.