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Improving Your Knowledge of the Equinox and Solstice

While some may not even be aware of the occurrence of the e quinox and solstice, pagans have long celebrated these events. In fact, many of our modern holidays have evolved from the pagan celebrations of the equinox and solstice. Simply put, both of these holidays mark the changing seasons of the year.

The solstice takes place in either late June (summer solstice) and late December (winter solstice). Alternatively, the equinox occurs in late March (vernal equinox) and September (autumnal equinox). Improving your knowledge of the history behind the equinox and solstice will not only improve your celebrations of modern holidays, but it can also help you learn more about how traditions evolved.

The Meaning of Equinox and Solstice
The equinoxes represent the two days of the year when the sun's center spends equal amounts of time above and below the horizon everywhere on our planet. As a result, on each of these days, the daytime is exactly as long as the nighttime. While the spring equinox happens on (or about) March 21st, the autumn equinox happens on (or about) September 21st. In fact, the word "equinox" comes from the Latin aequus (equal) and nox (night).

In contrast, solstices occur when the earth is tipped in a position furthest from the sun, resulting in either the longest or shortest day of the year. The word solstice means sun stands. While the summer solstices occur on (or about) June 22nd, the winter solstice takes place on or about December 22nd.

Equinox Times and Seasons
The equinoxes and solstices are evenly spaced throughout the year (March, June, September, December). Because they represent a change in the ratio of day to nighttime, each equinox and solstice marks the beginning of various seasons. While the March equinox inaugurates the spring, the September equinox rings in the fall season (in the northern hemisphere). Traditionally, pagans celebrated the spring solstice as a time of rebirth and reawakening, as it marked the time of the year for planting crops and celebrating life after a long winter.

Known as Ostara, the spring equinox was a day that pagans held lavish festivals. Eventually, the Church usurped the pagan tradition, holding Easter (a derivation of "Ostara") in the spring as a Christian celebration of rebirth.

The fall equinox begins on or about September 21 st (in the northern hemisphere). While the primary harvest takes place in the spring, the autumnal equinox marks the second harvest for many. Traditions of giving thanks, much like our modern day thanksgiving, were often a part of the autumn equinox in days long ago.

The Times of the Solstice
The summer solstice, also referred to as midsummer, happens on (or about) June 22nd in the northern hemisphere. Marking the longest day of the year, the summer solstice was a time of the year when ancient pagans would throw festivals to celebrate the sun and enjoy drinking of mead, a beverage made from honey.

As a result, the summer solstice moon was known as the honeymoon. The summer solstice also marked a time of the year when couples would get married, aligning the honeymoon and summer with a time of marriage. Today, the early summer is still a popular time for marriage, and honeymoons mark a time for the new couple to start their life together.

The arrival of winter comes with the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year in the northern hemisphere. This was a time, historically, when pagans decorated their homes with many lights and candles, as a way of illuminating and warming a dark and cold period. The lights not only made them feel safer, but they also symbolized hope to endure the harsh season. In fact, adorning trees with candles during the winter translates to our modern Christmas traditions.

Cultural Aspects and Links
Some of the cultural associations coupled with the spring equinox include:

• Easter
• Wiccan Sabbath, a modern pagan celebration
• First United States celebration of Earth Day (March 21, 1970)
• Mother's Day for many Arab countries
• Vernal Equinox Day, a national holiday in Japan.

Other countries that enjoy celebrations on the March equinox include:

• Afghanistan
• Albania
• Asia (some countries)
• Azerbaijan
• India
• Turkey
• Zanzibar.

The Autumn Equinox, too, marks specific celebrations:

• Harvest Festival, UK (occurs the Sunday after the full moon closest to September's equinox)
• New Year's Day, French Republican Calendar
• Wiccan Sabbath.

Trivia and Facts
Due to the mystical origins of both the equinox and solstice, cultures around the world have developed a number of myths and legends surrounding each of these events. Some include:

• Equinoxes and Satellites: Did you know that equinoxes have actually interfered with communications satellites? In fact, at certain points, the sun is actually behind the satellite relative to earth. The sun's power disrupts the circuitry for anywhere from a few minutes to one hour.
  
  
• Sun and Solstices: For a temporary period of time preceding and following solstices, the sun actually appears to be still.
  
  
• Eggs and the Equinox: Old legend says that the only time the earth's gravitational pull will allow you to balance a raw egg on its point is during an equinox. Although this legend has entertained many people for many years, it is merely superstition.
  
  
• Equilux or Equinox: An equilux is a day when the durations of sunrise and sunset are equal, as opposed to an equinox that marks equal amounts of day and nighttime.