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Autumn Equinox

Welcome to Fall! Today, the autumn equinox marks the beginning of fall, my favorite season of all! “Equinox” of course means equal night in Latin and marks the day when the sun shines directly on the equator and both poles are equidistant from the sun, making day and night of equal length. It is also a point of balance between changing seasons, and between feminine and masculine energies.

Position of earth relative to sun 

It held special significance in ancient times as many societies celebrated it as a festival of harvest. In Greek mythology, the fall equinox marks the return of the goddess Persephone to the underworld to reunite with her husband Hades, king of the underworld (who incidentally abducted her after falling in love with her). Although she was rescued by her father, Zeus, she chooses to go back to Hades for six months every year during autumn and winter. Her mother, Demeter, who is the Goddess of agriculture and fertility, mourns her loss by making the earth infertile during those six months. That supposedly explains the barren earth during the fall and winter months!😔

Persephone and Hades

The ancient Romans celebrated a festival dedicated to Pomona, goddess of fruits on the autumn equinox, although the celebration included plowing and preparing for the cold (not much of a celebration if you ask me) (Fun fact: The French word for apple "pomme" comes from her name.)

Goddess Pomona

The ancient Chinese celebrate the Harvest Moon Festival on the full moon closest to the autumnal equinox to celebrate the successful harvest of rice and wheat. On this day, lanterns are carried and displayed to signify prosperity and fortune, and special offerings like mooncakes are made to the moon. 

Ancient Chinese medicine also believed the autumn equinox was the time to balance the qi or vital energy in the body the same way nature restores balance outside. TCM advocates detoxification at this time when the qi begins to circulate deeper in the organs to protect the oncoming cold. It is also a time to start eating warm foods-- replacing raw fruits and salads with soups and stews and nuts. So bring out that pecan pie!

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