Welcoming the Autumnal Equinox

"Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower."
- Albert Camus

Monday, September 22, marked the Autumnal equinox on the solar calendar. I have always thought of this day simply as the beginning of fall and the end of summer's festivities, but technically it refers to the exact time when the sun is directly above the Earth's equator. What does this mean for all of us in Santa Fe? Even more amazing sunsets! When the sun is in this position, the atmosphere refracts light; so, even when the upper limb of the Sun is below the horizon, its rays reach over the horizon to the ground.

This time of year is considered special in may of the world's cultures, and in many cases, is thought of as a time to move inward and begin to focus on introspection. But between the incredible fall sunsets and the colorful autumn leaves, I'm going to try to squeeze in a few more outdoor adventures to enjoy this extraordinary seasonal change before focusing on my inward journey. Below are a few fall festivals from around the world. How have you been celebrating the equinox?

Chuseok (Korea) - This 3 day celebration of good harvest entails visiting ones ancestral hometown to share a feast of traditional Korean food. Harvest crops are attributed to the blessing of ancestors and a variety of folk games are played.

Mabon (Paganism) - Celebrated on the Autumnal equinox, this pagan holiday is celebrated with a feast, similar to Thanksgiving. This is most likely of Welsh origin.

Mehregan (Zorastrian Iran) – This autumn festival is celebrated in honor of the divinity Mithra, who represents friendship, relationships, affection and love. Festivities include wearing new clothes and setting an elaborate, colorful table decorated with sweets, flowers, herbs, pomegranates, rose water, silver coins and marjoram. After a lunch feast, handfuls of wild marjoram, lotus and sugar plum seeds are thrown over each others heads while they embrace one another.

Sukkot (Hebrew) - During this seven day holiday, Jewish people build a temporary structure in which to eat their meals, entertain guests, relax, and even sleep. This holiday is intended to reflect God's benevolence in providing for all the Jews' needs in the desert.

- Keryn