Equinox

We are fast approaching the beginning of fall—the Autumnal Equinox. Contrary to the thought of many modern Americans, fall does not start with Labor Day, or with the beginning of the school year, or with the start of football season. Rather, fall actually begins between September 20-23. That is the point of equinox—when the sun crosses the equator and everywhere on earth sees approximately equal day and night . (All you linguists may have guessed the meaning of the word equinox: equal night.)

This is my time. I have always been more fond of autumn and winter than spring and summer. I know, I know—some people’s jaws just hit the floor. I realize that many people love spring and summer and dread their end. I’m married to one! And I fully understand and appreciate the sentiment. In fact, my wife has helped me to enjoy spring and summer more than I used to. Also, I think as I’ve gotten more in touch with the spirituality of nature, my appreciation for the greener seasons has grown.

But my spirit still feels more at home in fall and winter. Why? Hard to say, exactly. I don’t mind the cooler weather as much as some, I guess. There’s a special coziness about a thick sweater on a brisk day. And now that we have a fireplace, I’m tempted to spend the next six months right there! But I know that it’s more than just the cooler temperatures. Perhaps it has something to do with my (exceptionally) introverted nature. Maybe extroverts are more drawn to the warmer months, when large crowds gather at the beach or at a picnic. And maybe we introverts feel more comfortable in the smaller gatherings around the aforementioned fireplace.

It goes even beyond that, though. Fall and winter mark the harvest and the dormant seasons—the less (outwardly) active and more internal half of the year.. As we gather everything that has grown, it is time to weigh and take the measure of it all—to see what exactly grew during the fertile time. There can be no real growth without this time. As always, it comes down to balance, the ebb and flow, the yin and yang. (BTW, a very interesting Eastern concept that we Westerners should become more familiar with: male/female, light/dark energy—both balanced and part of the whole.)

So happy autumn, everyone! May the time between this equinox and the next be rich and full of promise for the green, fertile time to come!