THE BEAUTY OF EQUINOX & EQUILUX
SEPTEMBER EQUINOX
Equality is on our minds a lot these days, as we strive and fight for it in our lives. And while there are different opinions about who and what should be treated equally, the universe carries on with its cycles, restoring or returning to equal points, equilibrium, and balance, as part of its ongoing processes.
Autumn and Spring both have moments of equality every year, in September and March respectively, known as ”equinox” and “equilux.” The forthcoming equinox, which marks the beginning of autumn in the northern hemisphere and the beginning of spring in the southern hemisphere, will take place at 9:54 PM on Saturday, September 22, 2018.
While it is commonly believed that the equinox marks the time when day and night are of equal length, given that the word derives from Latin, “equi” (meaning equal) + “nox” (meaning night), this is a misnomer. In fact, the equinox occurs at the precise moment when the sun crosses the celestial equator. And while day and night hours are roughly equal, they are not exactly equal.
Because it takes the Earth approximately 365.25 days to orbit the Sun, the precise time of the equinoxes varies each year. The September equinox can take place on the 22nd, 23rd, or 24th, depending on where Earth is positioned in its orbit around the sun, but wherever you are on the planet, the equinox happens at the same precise moment. And the sun will rise precisely due East and will set precisely due West, no matter where you are on equinox day.
The equilux, on the other hand, is the true equal point between day and night. The word derives from Latin, “equi” (meaning equal) + “lux” (meaning light). Unlike the equinox, when equilux happens depends on where you are in the world. That’s because the equilux marks sunrise the minute the sun appear over the horizon and marks sunset the minute the sun totally sinks below the horizon. Because atmospheric refraction bends light, it appears as though the sun is rising or setting earlier than it actually is.
After the September equilux, in the northern hemisphere, nights become increasingly longer than days until the winter solstice, which is technically the shortest day of the year. Then of course, days grow increasingly longer than nights until the summer solstice in June.
So the closer you are to the equator, you will find that the equilux occurs closer to the equinox.
Interestingly, the sun enters Libra when the Earth moves into equinox. Libra is the astrological sign associated with balance.
The the full moon that occurs nearest to the autumnal equinox is called the Harvest Moon, so named because its exceptional brightness aided farmers by enabling them to continue harvesting long after sundown.
China and other Asian countries celebrate the September equinox with moon-related festivals and moon cakes.
Many indigenous cultures regard the equinox and solstice as sacred, spiritual times, correlating to both physical and spiritual cycles. For many, autumn is a time of abundance and gratitude as well as a time for inner reflection and rest.
We can tap into our souls at the equinox. My plan for the upcoming equinox is to meditate for about 10 minutes on either side of the equinox moment. I hope to gain a new sense of balance and clear space for new vision. Perhaps it can energize new quests for equality. Perhaps it can become a new equinox ritual…
Read more about Autumn Beauty. And check out more beautiful things happening now in BN Wellness, Impact, Nature/Science, Food, Arts/Design, and Travel, Daily Fix posts.
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