Autumn equinox. Autumn Equinox Festival of the Autumn Equinox in Mexico
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Equinox- the moment when the center of the Sun in its apparent movement along the ecliptic crosses the celestial equator.
The spring equinox occurs on March 21, when the Sun moves from the southern to the northern hemisphere, and the autumn equinox occurs on September 23, when it moves from the northern to the southern. On these days, for all places on Earth (excluding the areas of the Earth's poles), day is almost equal to night ("almost" - due to refraction, the fact that the Sun is not a point source of light, but a disk, and also due to the fact that the moment of the equinox is shifted relative to 6 or 18 hours of local solar time). On the days of the spring equinox and autumn equinox, the Sun rises almost exactly in the east and sets almost exactly in the west. Whereas after the spring equinox (in the northern hemisphere) it rises north of east and sets north of west, and after the autumn equinox it rises south of east and sets south of west.
The points where the celestial equator intersects the ecliptic are called equinox points. Due to the ellipticality of its orbit, the Earth moves from the autumn equinox to the spring equinox rather than from the spring to the autumn point. Due to the precession of the earth's axis, the relative positions of the equator and ecliptic slowly change; this phenomenon is called the anticipation of the equinoxes. Over the course of a year, the position of the equator changes so that the Sun arrives at the equinox 20 minutes 24 seconds earlier than the Earth completes its full orbit. As a result, the position of the equinoctial points on the celestial sphere changes. From the point of the vernal equinox, right ascensions along the celestial equator and longitudes along the ecliptic are counted. Determining the position of this fictitious point on the celestial sphere is one of the main tasks of practical astronomy.
The spring and autumn equinoxes are considered the astronomical beginning of the modern seasons. The interval between two equinoxes of the same name is called tropical year, which is used to measure time. The tropical year is approximately 365.2422 solar days, so the equinox occurs at different times of the day, moving forward each time by almost 6 hours. The Julian year consists of 365¼ days. The intercalary day of a leap year returns the equinox to the previous date of the year. But the tropical year is slightly smaller than the Julian year, and the equinox actually recedes slowly according to the numbers of the Julian calendar. In the Gregorian calendar, due to the omission of 3 days in 400 years, it is almost motionless (the Gregorian year averages 365.2425 days).
Peoples and religions for which the New Year begins on the equinox
- Baha'i - Nowruz see Baha'i Calendar
- New Year for the Kazakhs
Historical events that occurred on the equinox
- See: March 20
- See: March 21
- See: March 22
Notes
see also
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See what the “Autumn Equinox” is in other dictionaries: autumn equinox - The moment in time when the Sun crosses the celestial equator during its apparent movement from the Northern Hemisphere to the Southern Hemisphere on September 23, which serves as the beginning of astronomical autumn in the Northern Hemisphere. → Fig. 25...
Dictionary of Geography One of two times a year when the Sun crosses the celestial equator. O. r. occurs on September 23 (see Equinox). Dot O. r. (astronomical sign...
Great Soviet Encyclopedia The moment of transition of the Sun's declination from northern to southern, as well as the point of the ecliptic at which such a transition occurs; occurs on September 10 or 11 old style; see Spring equinox. V.V.V...
Encyclopedic Dictionary F.A. Brockhaus and I.A. Efron EQUINOX, equinoxes, cf. (astro.). The time of year (twice a year) when the center of the sun is at the celestial equator and when throughout the entire earth (except the poles) the lengths of day and night are the same (12 hours each). Spring equinox (21... ...
Ushakov's Explanatory Dictionary I; Wed The time of year when the length of day and night is the same. Spring equinox (March 21). Autumn equinox (September 23). * * * equinox the moment of passage of the center of the Sun in its apparent movement across the celestial sphere through... ...
encyclopedic Dictionary- I; Wed The time of year when the length of day and night is the same. Spring equinox (March 21) Autumn equinox (September 23) ... Dictionary of many expressions
The moments when the sun, in its apparent movement along the ecliptic, crosses the equator. The spring equinox occurs on March 8, according to the old style, when the sun moves from the southern hemisphere to the northern, and the autumn equinox on September 10 or 11, when it moves from... ... Encyclopedia of Brockhaus and Efron
- 2019: September 23, 7:50 a.m. GMT (September 23, 9:50 Moscow time)
- 2020: September 22, 1:31 p.m. GMT (September 22, 15:31 Moscow time)
- 2021: September 22, 19:21. GMT (September 22, 21:21 Moscow time)
Pagan Celebrations of the Autumn Equinox
Since autumn equinox the power of the sun decreases every day until the winter solstice, after which it will begin to increase again, bringing the new agricultural season closer. In the meantime, after a temporary balance, the time of the power of darkness comes. The earth is preparing for winter: migratory birds gather in flocks and autumn leaves begin to fall. For our ancestors, the autumnal equinox was a time of giving thanks to the gods for harvest and prosperity, as well as paying honor to the dead and decorating graves. At the end of September, they went into the forests to pick mushrooms and medicinal plants, made wine from ripe apples and grapes (in southern Europe), and also celebrated the end of the harvest with thanksgiving feasts.
Philosophically, this is a time of summing up, giving thanks for what we have, and completing the year's affairs.
Mabon - Celtic festival of the autumn equinox
At the autumnal equinox, the ancient Celts celebrated Mabon ( Mabon) - festival of the second harvest and ripening of apples. Mabon traditions have been alive since pagan times in many European countries, where harvest festivals are traditionally held at the end of September. Often Harvest Festival (Harvest Appreciation Day) held on the Sunday after the full moon closest to the autumn equinox. This full moon is called Harvest Moon. Usually the harvest festival takes place at the end of September, but sometimes it falls at the beginning of October. On this day, parishioners decorate churches with baskets of fruits and vegetables from their gardens, produce from farms and fresh flowers. After the service, this food is distributed to those who need it. Be sure to do charity fundraisers for the local community.
There was a tradition among farmers of holding a special dinner to which everyone who worked on the farm during the year was invited so that the farmer could express gratitude to his helpers. Sometimes these suppers were called the supper of the last sheaf: the harvest was over and the feast began. Farmers competed among themselves to see who could harvest the fastest.
During the Middle Ages, the Roman Church replaced the ancient September festivals of gratitude with Michaelmas Day (Archangel Michael's Day, September 29), the celebration of which inherited many of the traditions of the ancient festivals of the autumn equinox.
Veresen, autumn - ancient Slavic holidays of September
At the beginning of September, the Eastern Slavs celebrated Oseniny (giving of Ovsenya) - a holiday of the beginning of autumn and thanksgiving to the Earth for the harvest. Ovsen in Slavic mythology was a deity responsible for the change of seasons. By the beginning of September, the harvest in the fields was completed, but garden work was still going on. After Osenin, the hop collection began.
The sun, in the minds of the ancient Slavs (as well as other pagans), passed through different hypostases during the year, associated with the seasons. In September, the sun passed from an “adult” state (from the summer solstice to the autumn equinox) into a “senile” state, which lasted from the autumn equinox to the winter solstice (see Christmas).
On the day of the autumn equinox, the Slavs began the seventh month of the year, dedicated to the god Veles, who was called Veresen (Tausen, Radogoshch). The ancient Slavs celebrated this great holiday for two weeks - a week before and a week after the autumn equinox. The honey drink suryu was infused with freshly harvested hops and enjoyed during festive meals.
After the autumn equinox, the ancient inhabitants of Rus' accompanied the goddess Zhiva to Svarga (heavenly kingdom), thanking her for the gift of the harvest. Svarga was closed for the cold and dark winter period. The opening of Svarga was celebrated on the last day of the holiday week of Komoeditsa (Maslenitsa), which fell among the ancient inhabitants of Rus' on the spring equinox - March 21.
During Christianity, the church replaced the great ancient Slavic holiday Velesen with the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (celebrated by the Russian Orthodox Church on September 21).
The summer equator occurs on the day when night equals day, and this happens all over the planet at the same time. For residents of Europe, this event is rather sad, since it symbolizes the imminent onset of autumn, while astronomical spring is coming in the southern hemisphere of the planet.
How to determine the date of the autumn equinox?
From year to year, the days of the autumn equinox do not coincide, so astronomical spring and autumn occur at different times. For example, in 2010 it happened on September 23 at 7 am, in 2011 at 1 pm, and in 2012 a day earlier - on September 22 at 7 pm. According to astronomical calculations, until 2044, the days of the autumnal equinox will be distributed in such a way that in leap years the holiday will occur on September 22, and in normal years it will fall on September 23.
History of the Equinox Days
The question of the change of seasons, as well as the days of the autumn and spring equinoxes and solstice, has occupied humanity for a very long time. With the advent of the autumnal equinox, autumn reigns in the northern hemisphere of the planet. This means that there is less and less sunlight and longer nights.
The official arrival of winter can be considered December 21 or 22, when the shortest day and longest night of the year begins. Immediately after this, the day gradually begins to win back some time from the night, and by the end of March, day and night again become equal.
It is curious that winter in the northern hemisphere of the Earth is a week shorter than in the southern part of the planet. The fact is that the gap between the spring and autumn days of the equinox is 186 days, and the next gap, this time between the autumn and spring days, is 179 days. It turns out that the winter speed of revolution of the northern hemisphere around the Sun is slightly higher than that of the southern one.
Autumn Equinox in Japan
Numerous pagan tribes celebrated harvest day on the autumn equinox. In our time, perhaps only in Japan, the day of the autumn equinox is a state, official holiday and has been celebrated since the end of the 19th century. The point is not that the Japanese pay tribute to the exact astronomical sciences. They only pay tribute to the ancient Buddhist holiday of Higan, a day on which it is customary to remember the deceased.
First, the Japanese do a general cleaning of the house, water the flowers, arrange photographs of deceased relatives, and set the table. On this day, special ritual dishes are used as treats. Preference is given to food without meat, for example, legumes, vegetables, mushrooms, various broths without the use of animal fat. Absence of meat is an ancient Buddhist prohibition regarding which it is not permissible to kill animals and eat their meat. During the autumn equinox holiday, the Japanese come to cemeteries and entire families perform various rituals at the graves of their ancestors.
Autumn Equinox Festival in Mexico
On the day of the autumn equinox, Mexicans head to Kukulcan, one of the most famous Mayan pyramids, located in their old city of Chichen Itza. The Indians built this pyramid, observing strict geometric proportions. It turns out that during the days of the equinox, the sun's rays, falling on giant platforms, cast shadows in such a way that an alternation of shadow and solar triangular figures is obtained. Falling lower and lower, this bizarre play of light and shadow more and more resembles a snake. At the foot of the platform a head is formed, and at the very top the tail of a giant snake appears. This miracle lasts exactly 3 hours 22 minutes. As the Mexicans believe, in order for a wish to come true, you must be at the top of Kukulcan at that time.
How was the equinox celebrated in Rus'?
The day of the autumn equinox was widely celebrated in Ancient Rus'. Women prepared food in the form of pies, and the holiday itself was accompanied by singing, dancing and festivities. Our ancestors decorated the windows of their houses with rowan branches. They believed that rowan would protect them from dark forces and retain a little more light. They say that on the day of the autumn equinox, evil spirits are especially raging, and red rowan berries can protect a person from insomnia caused by evil spirits.
Folk omens claim that the weather on the day of the autumnal equinox can be used to judge the entire autumn. And if the weather is dry and warm, then winter will be delayed this year.
When is the autumn equinox in 2019?
The period of the autumn equinox celebration begins at the moment when the night is equal in length to the day, and this phenomenon can be observed simultaneously throughout the entire planet. For Europeans, this is rather a sad event than a joyful one, since it foreshadows the rapid onset of autumn. However, for the southern hemisphere of the planet, from the moment of this holiday, a period of astronomical spring begins.
History of the equinoxes
The question of the alternation of seasons, including the days of the spring and autumn equinox, has puzzled humanity since ancient times. In the northern hemisphere, the onset of this unusual day indicates that the baton of changing seasons has been passed to the queen of autumn. This means that there will be less and less hot sun rays every day, and the nights will be longer.
The date of the official onset of winter falls on December 21 or 22 (in the northern hemisphere), the time when the days are shortest and nights are longest in the entire calendar year. Interestingly, winter in the northern part of the planet is a whole week shorter than in the southern part. The reason is that the gap between the spring and autumn equinoxes is 186 days, while the next gap between the autumn and spring equinoxes is 179 days. That is, the northern hemisphere rotates around the Sun at a slightly higher speed than the southern hemisphere.
In Ancient Rus', this holiday became quite widespread. On this day, housewives prepared all kinds of dishes, baked pies, and the celebration itself was accompanied by dancing, singing and festivities. Children decorated their houses with rowan branches. Our ancestors believed in the protective properties of this tree. According to beliefs, the fruits of rowan protect from troubles, misfortunes and evil spirits, and protect a person from insomnia caused by dark forces.
According to the weather, according to popular belief, during the autumn equinox we can talk about the whole autumn as a whole. If the weather is warm and dry, then winter will come late this year.
How do the Japanese celebrate the autumn equinox?
Many pagan tribes celebrated the autumn equinox. Today, only in Japan this holiday has the status of a state holiday, starting from the 19th century. On this day, the Japanese clean and order their homes, remember their ancestors, and set the table. Plant foods predominate on the table, preference is given to vegetables, beans, mushrooms, and all kinds of broths without animal fats. On this day, traditionally, people visit cemeteries and perform appropriate rituals at the graves of relatives.
The festival of the autumn equinox among Mexicans is inextricably linked with such a historical place as Kukulcan.
The Pyramid of Kukulcan is one of the most famous Mayan pyramids, located in the ancient city of Chichen Itza. During the construction of this pyramid, strict geometric proportions were observed. It so happened that it was during this festival that when the sun’s rays hit the huge platforms, an alternation of solar and shadow figures of a triangular shape is obtained. Going lower, the play of shadows and sunlight forms a bizarre figure of a snake. A head is visible at the base of the platform, and a tail is visible at the very top.
It is here, on the day of the autumn equinox, that the inhabitants of Mexico gather to see this miracle, which lasts about 3 hours and 22 minutes. Mexicans believe that if at this very moment you are at the very top of Kukulcan, then your most cherished wish will certainly come true!
The day of the autumn equinox in 2019 occurs on September 22. The date of the holiday is different every year.
On the day of the autumn equinox, the center of the Sun passes through the celestial equator. Day and night last 12 hours. Over the next 24 hours, the Sun occupies the southern hemisphere, and night begins to fall into day. In the old days, this holiday had two meanings: parting with the old and paying honor to the deceased.
Traditions and rituals of the holiday
On this day the Slavs celebrated the sun. They asked him for help “to drive away the night that is approaching the house and return the day.”
Families came to the graves of the deceased, cleaned and decorated it. People lit fires in their houses. In the center of villages and settlements, tables were set and feasts were held. To feed the ancestors, milk, butter, cottage cheese, cheese, berries, and cabbage pies were displayed. After the feast, they washed themselves in the bathhouse to cleanse their body and soul.
Unmarried girls who wanted to get married this year asked Svarog for help in meeting their betrothed. They held a funeral for the fly. They made a small coffin out of turnips, put a fly in it and buried it. During the ceremony, the girls peered at the young people who came to watch this action. This is how they did the show.
Between the window frames, people placed branches with leaves and rowan brushes in order to protect the house from dark forces.
Have an interesting day
Task for today: There are many traditions on this day, follow any of them.
On September 22, day and night last equal 12 hours. And on this day the Slavs celebrated the sun and asked the night to retreat.
And unmarried girls who wanted to get married this year asked Svarog for help. They buried the fly in a small turnip coffin and buried it in the ground. During the ceremony, the girls looked at the young people who came to watch the funeral. And this is how they did the show. There was also a tradition of placing branches with leaves and bunches of rowan between window frames to protect against dark forces.
There are many traditions on this day, follow any of them.
Signs
If the willow begins to shed its leaves, then winter will come soon.
If there are a lot of cobwebs on the day of the autumnal equinox, then autumn will be long and winter will come late.
If there are a lot of webs, then the autumn will be clear and the winter will be cold.
Geese walk in a herd - for a windy and protracted autumn.
