Near the annual Harvest Moon, the fall equinox marks the turn of seasons from summer to autumn in the northern hemisphere, specifically the time when day and night are nearly equal in length. In folklore and myth this idea of balance takes on some interesting meanings.
Equinox Mythology, Superstition, and Tradition
The autumnal equinox is a time of balance because its day and night are nearly equal. On this mystical day of balance, according to myth, you may be able to balance eggs on their ends. Go ahead and try it. Can you wield the mystical force of balance?
Persephone and Hades
In Greek Mythology, autumn begins when Persephone returns to the underworld to live with Hades for half the year, as she agreed. The only daughter of Zeus and Demeter, Persephone loved to play in the fields of endless spring,
Zeus' brother Hades fell in love with Persephone and wanted her for his wife. Demeter, goddess of grain and fertility, disapproved, not wanting her daughter to live in a sunless world.
One day while Persephone was collecting flowers, Hades abducted her, scattering the field with blossoms. Long story short, Persephone, Hades, and Demeter came to a compromise whereupon Persephone would spend half the year on earth and half in the underworld.
You can explore the seasonal analogies with a fuller exploration of the myth of Persephone and Hades.
Equinox Animals
Animals associated with the time of autumn equinox include the mundane: canines and birds of prey; and the magical: gnomes, minotaurs, and the sphinx.
Imperial Ancestors
In Buddhist tradition, Higan is a time to remember and honor ancestors by visiting and cleaning graves and reciting sutras. Higan, meaning "other shore," is observed in Japan at the fall and spring equinox.
Traditional Equinox Celebrations
Michaelmas (Christian) and Mabon (pagan) are celebrated on the autumnal equinox. Michaelmas is sometimes celebrated as the "feast of strong will." Mabon is a celebration of second harvest and preparation for winter, thanksgiving for sunlight and respect for darkness.
The Chinese Moon Festival makes offering to the moon in celebration for the abundance of harvest time. The main food is mooncake filled with lotus, sesame seeds, a duck egg or dried fruit.
About Equinoxes and Solstices
Opposite the autumnal equinox in September, the vernal equinox in March marks the beginning of spring. The Harvest Moon that dramatically marks the proximity of the fall equinox has its twin in the Hunter's Moon near the vernal spring equinox. Both moons brighten the darkness for nighttime festivities, traditionally harvest or hunting. (In the southern hemisphere, the seasons are opposite: spring in September and fall in March.)
Equinoxes mark the two days of the year when the earth tilts neither toward nor away from the sun. The proximity of the earth's equatorial line to the sun on these two days provides for the balanced night and day.
Likewise, the June and December solstices, when the sun is at its greatest distance from earth's equator, mark the beginnings of summer and winter.
Source:
"September Equinox Customs and Holidays." timeanddate.com, Retrieved 13 Sep 2011.
Sara McGrath - Sara is a veteran homeschool mom of three, Usborne consultant, and the author of Unschooling: A Lifestyle of Learning.
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