AUtumn Equinox

The days are getting shorter and the weather is getting cooler.

With the change in season, equinox ushers in a turning point, where we honour the earth, harvest, and circle of life.

Fall equinox marks the start of fall in the Northern Hemisphere and spring in the Southern Hemisphere, the time when the sun shifts into the zodiac sign Libra on September 22.

But, what does that really mean?

During an equinox, the Sun crosses what we call the “celestial equator”—an imaginary extension of Earth’s equator line into space. The equinox occurs precisely when the Sun’s centre passes through this line.

For those in the Northern Hemisphere, when the Sun crosses the equator going from north to south, this marks the autumnal equinox; when it crosses from south to north, this marks the vernal equinox. In the Southern Hemisphere, it’s the reverse.

The word “equinox” comes from Latin aequus, meaning “equal,” and nox, ”night.” On the equinox, day and night are roughly equal in length. The full Moon that occurs nearest to the autumnal equinox is always called the ”Harvest Moon, and that is due to farming.

Around the fall equinox, the full Moon rises around sunset for several nights in a row, which traditionally provided farmers with just enough extra light for them to finish their harvests before the killing frosts of fall set in. Normally, the Moon rises about an hour later each night, but around the time of the fall equinox, the angle of the Moon’s orbit and the tilt of the Earth line up just right and cause the Moon to rise only about 20 to 30 minutes later each night for several nights in a row.

Often times, and I hear myself doing this, we complain about the shorter days and longer nights. This year, I am going to embrace it. Every season, and every moment is painted so perfectly with purpose and I just want to breathe it all in this year and be grateful I get to enjoy the time I have.

However, in shorter days that are met with grey skies, it really can affect our overall energy levels and vitamin D - so, I plan to definitely stay on top of it with extra supplements and a nutritionist for balance when needed. I encourage you to do the same, while also finding bright moments in your days that bring about happiness - maybe its a walk, some time with pets or family, bundled up long walks, or just a great song and dancing around the house. Make time for you and prioritize happiness. Live in the moment and take the time to notice the amazing changes in this season, in nature, and all around you.

Breathe it in.

Happy first day of fall, friends.