Every year, there are two equinoxes and two solstices. As stated by earthsky.net, the word equinox comes from the Latin word ìaequi,î which means equal and ìnoxî meaning night. The autumnal equinox is when both day and night are about equal; the sun rises later and nightfall comes sooner.The Earth tilts on its axis allowing the Northern and Southern Hemisphere to trade places throughout the year, permitting more seasonal direct sunlight. According to the EarthSky website, when the tilt of the Earthís axis and Earthís orbit around the sun combine ó in such a way that the axis is inclined neither away from nor toward the sun ó it allows both hemispheres to catch about equal amounts of sun rays.In the far north, following the fall equinox, eyes are drawn to a spectacular light display in the night sky. From the History website, the autumnal equinox signals peak viewing of the aurora borealis, or northern lights. The celestial display of brilliantly colored lights happens when charged particles from the sun strike atoms in Earthís atmosphere, causing them to light up. These light displays peak around the fall and spring, or vernal, equinox. Thatís because disturbances in Earthís atmosphere ó known as geomagnetic storms ó are strongest at these times.To determine when the fall equinox will occur, the sky is used as a clock and a calendar. From EarthSky.org, one of the first observatories was built in Machu Picchu, Peru. The Intihuatana Stone, a sculpted granite rock with four cardinal points, has been shown to be a precise indicator of the date of the two equinoxes and other significant celestial periods. The word Intihuatana, literally means for tying the sun.For millennia, the autumnal equinox marks the start of harvest but also is celebrated differently in multiple cultures and countries.Ethic Chinese and Vietnamese people celebrate their Mid-Autumn Festival on the full moon that falls closest to the autumnal equinox ó sometimes called the Harvest Moon. From history.com, the Chinese began celebrating the fall harvest centuries ago during the Shang dynasty. Ancient Chinese celebrated the successful harvest of rice and wheat and made offerings to the moon. During the Mid-Autumn Festival, lanterns decorate streets and family and friends gather to give thanks, share food and watch the moon. Round pastries, called mooncakes, are often enjoyed.Higan is a six-day Buddhist celebration in Japan. According to the History website, during Higan, Japanese Buddhists will return to their hometowns to pay respects to their ancestors. Higan means ìfrom the other shore of the Sanzu River.î In Buddhist tradition, crossing the mythical Sanzu River meant passing into the afterlife. It takes place twice a year, during the spring and fall equinoxes. From timeanddate.com, it is a time to remember the dead by visiting, cleaning and decorating their graves.The Christian church replaced many pagan holidays with Christianized celebrations. According to the Time and Date website, the Christian celebration closest to the September equinox is Michaelmas, also known as the Feast of Michael and All Angels, on Sept. 29. These days, Michaelmas is a minor festival mainly observed in the Catholic church. Centuries ago in England, servants were paid their wages after the harvest, and workers looked for new jobs at employment fairs, which also became a place for celebrations.Sukkot is the Jewish Festival of Harvest. From shareable.net, also known as the Feast of Booths (Sukkot means ìboothî), this week-long festival has a double significance: celebrating the harvest and commemorating the Israelite’s 40 years wandering in the desert. Sukkot falls five days after Yom Kippur and is celebrated all across the Jewish Diaspora.Mehregan is a Persian harvest festival and tax day. As stated by shareable.net, Mehregan originated in the ancient Persian city of Persepolis, where it served as both the day of harvest, and tax day. Visitors came from all over the Persian empire for the festivities, contributing to a lively day of gifting, feasting, and general merriment. The October gathering also celebrates friendship and togetherness -ñ the word ìMehrî in Persian means ìkindness.î In the spirit of that, Mehregan is a time for families and communities to come together and gather, often around a table set with a colorful cloth and fruits, vegetables, and flowers. There are fewer taxes in the present-day festivities, but the rest of the festival lives on.As autumn swiftly approaches in Colorado, there are plenty of activities to do while adhering to COVID-19 guidelines. Generally, this time of year in Falcon, there are festivals celebrating harvest time. Even though there are COVID restrictions, traditions can still be recognized with some creativity. Bake pumpkin spice bread, make caramel apples, cobblers and pies. Take a drive or hike to see the beautiful Aspen leaves change colors. Visit the local farmerís market in Peyton ó Smith Farms. Pick out pumpkins and instead of carving them paint a picture. Lastly, create a DIY Halloween costume.
