In the language of science, an equinox is either of two points on the celestial sphere where the ecliptic and the celestial equator intersect. Good thing pictures were taken a few days early!
For the rest of us, it's one of two times a year when the Sun crosses the equator, and the day and night are of approximately equal length. At the autumnal equinox (Sept 22, 2008; 11:44:18 A.M. EDT), the Sun appears to cross the celestial equator, from north to south; this marks the beginning of autumn in the Northern Hemisphere.
Jason asked me a few days ago about how long I could balance....so I guess finding your balance on this day would be a good tradition. Our Halie can balance perfectly.
Does your family have traditions you celebrate on this day?I'm always looking for ideas. Here are a couple that I might be able to do.
Find Your Balance
1. Stand quietly with your feet shoulder-width apart, knees flexed, and your eyes closed. What is your body doing? Is it still and rooted, or does it need to sway or adjust in order to be fully balanced? Give yourself a moment to come into balance.
2. Now raise your arms and try to hold them open, stretched out to the sides, for a few moments. Feel how difficult it is. Now begin a gentle movement, bringing your hands in toward your chest, then out again to the sides, a rhythmic motion of opening and closing like the beating of a bird’s wings. Feel what a relief it is to have the balance of both motions, both open and closed. Now give some deep thought to the beauty of the balance between day and night, activity and rest. How can you honor your own need for balance?
1. Stand quietly with your feet shoulder-width apart, knees flexed, and your eyes closed. What is your body doing? Is it still and rooted, or does it need to sway or adjust in order to be fully balanced? Give yourself a moment to come into balance.
2. Now raise your arms and try to hold them open, stretched out to the sides, for a few moments. Feel how difficult it is. Now begin a gentle movement, bringing your hands in toward your chest, then out again to the sides, a rhythmic motion of opening and closing like the beating of a bird’s wings. Feel what a relief it is to have the balance of both motions, both open and closed. Now give some deep thought to the beauty of the balance between day and night, activity and rest. How can you honor your own need for balance?
Food...........always looking for something good.
1.Roasted squash soup – Use butternut or acorn squash as the base of your soup to get the best sweet and savory flavor balance.
2. Apple tarts – Apples are a fall equinox celebration staple. Think mini apple pies, torts or turnovers.
Decorations........
The turning of the leaves from green to golds, burgundies and reds is stunning in the fall. Decorate your table with burgundy tablecloths with centerpieces that contain plants flourishing in the fall like marigolds and chrysanthemum.
Traditions.......
FALL, it's something to celebrate. It means warm nights by the fire or cuddling up on the couch, listening to the wind howl outside, and reading a great book.
It's also a great time to reflect and be thankful for the people in your life. Thanksgiving, after all, shouldn't be delegated to only Thanksgiving day.
Whether you decide to have a small get-together or a large gathering, fall equinox celebrations sound like lots of fun and what a great way to bring family together.
Whether you decide to have a small get-together or a large gathering, fall equinox celebrations sound like lots of fun and what a great way to bring family together.
1 comment:
Traditions-this is the day-fall and Spring Equinox that we balance eggs. I am 'running to the kitchen right now to get started.
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