Fun Facts about the First Day of Fall

The Fall Equinox is a time of balance between day and night before night takes over and brings the coming winter. The duality between light and dark exists within all of us; in life, we must go down in order to rise up. The Fall Equinox symbolizes a stage of inner preparation in the process of enlightenment, We say goodbye to summer and welcome a cozy fall. Other fun facts you may not know!

1. This year, 2017, the autumnal equinox arrives precisely at 4:02 pm (EDT) on Friday, September 22. Unlike an event such as New Year’s midnight that follows the clock around the time zones, equinoxes happen at the same moment everywhere.
2. There are two equinoxes annually, vernal and autumnal, marking the beginning of spring and fall. They are opposite for the northern and southern hemispheres – so for those of you in the south, happy spring!
3. From hereon, nights are longer than days and days continue to get shorter until December, when the light will begin its slow climb back to long summer days. Winter solstice is technically the shortest day of the year, while the summer solstice in June boasts the most sunlight.
4. “Equinox” comes from the Latin words “equi” meaning “equal” and “nox” meaning “night.” This implies that there will be equal amounts of daylight and darkness, however such is not exactly the case.
5. Exactly equal day and night won’t happen until sunrise and sunset occur precisely 12 hours apart, which depends on a location’s latitude; the closer to the equator, the closer it is to the equinox.
6. For the astrology-minded, the morning of the autumnal equinox is when the sun enters Libra … the sign of balanced scales.
7. For the other celestial orb we obsess on, the full moon near the autumnal equinox is called the Harvest Moon. The Harvest Moon is usually associated with the September full moon, but this year, the September full moon occurred September 5-6. Since the October full moon does her magic on October 5, it will be closer to the equinox and thus officially takes the Harvest Moon title.
8. This year on the equinox, as happens every year, the sun will rise precisely due East and will set precisely due West. Everywhere on Earth, except at the North and South Poles, there is a due east and due west point on the horizon; by observing the sun as it travels along this path on September 22, no matter where you are, you can see where that point it for your location. Pick a landmark, make a mental note, and enjoy the knowledge that while so much in this world is in flux, the sun is constant and will return to its perfect East and West on the days of equinox.

Happy Harvesting, friends!