Autumnal Equinox began this morning................

 

Simultaneously, of  course, the Vernal (Spring) Equinox occurs in the southern hemisphere, as people begin their springtime season and as those people in the Northern Hemisphere begin their fall quarter of the year. Autumnul Equinox 2012 begins Saturday, September 22, marking the first official day of fall, at 10:40 a.m.ET this morning. the tilted earth revolves around to where the sun shines directly on the equator, and the hours of  daylight and dark are equal (12 hours each). The term "Equinox" has its origins in Latin, meaning 'equal night'. After today, we will have fewer hours of daylight and longer evenings. Traditionally peace and environmental activists call on people everywhere to celebrate the autumnal equinox by hugging a tree. Hugging trees not only relieves stress but also takes back the title "tree hugger" from those who would make it a term of ridicule and it also reminds people of the importance of trees to the environment.
 

Today is the first official day of autumn, which probably doesn't mean much to those living in the south where temperatures are still hitting the 90's. On the Autumnal Equinox, the length of day and night is nearly, but not exactly, equal, according to TimeandDate.com.

 

The Autumnal Equinox is also known as:Alban Elfed, Autumn Equinox, Fall Equinox, Cornucopia, Feast of Avilon, Festival of Dionysus, Harvest Home, Harvest Tide, Mabon, Night of the Hunter, Second Harvest Festival, Wine Harvest, and the first day of autumn.

So there you have it - today is the first day of autumn and for those of us living in Northern parts of the United States. We have already started getting a chill in the air in the evenings, it is becoming dark earlier each evening and the leaves are changing colors and falling from the trees.

For those readers who live in the warmer climates you should try to visit the Northern states because the foliage is beautiful and it is the best time of the year here.

 

Go on out there and hug a tree today – I dare you!
peacesojourner