As the summer heat fades, the air gets crisper, and the leaves start to glow with vibrant hues of reds, oranges, and yellows, we know it’s officially time to say, “Happy fall!”
But, do you know what truly kicks off this beautiful season? It’s the autumn equinox, an astronomical event that marks the transition into the fall season.
You might have heard about the fall equinox in passing or remember it from science class, but let’s take a moment to dive a little deeper into its meaning, significance, and why the moment when day and night are in perfect balance is so perfectly spectacular.
Happy Fall!
First, let's discuss what makes it happy fall, y'all. It all begins with the first day of fall, which is Tuesday, September 22nd at 8:05 pm EDT. On this day, the length of the day and the length of the night are nearly equal – about 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of night, give or take a few minutes depending on where you live.
This happens because the sun is directly above the Earth's equator for this moment in time. The Earth's tilt (about 23.5 degrees) and its orbit around the Sun are what create the seasons. On the equinox, neither the Northern Hemisphere nor the Southern Hemisphere are leaning toward or away from the Sun.
After the autumn equinox, the days begin to shorten and the nights grow longer, signaling the true start of fall in the Northern Hemisphere.
The Science Behind the Autumn Equinox
With that basic overview, let’s dive a little deeper into space. One thing to note is that the Earth doesn’t orbit the Sun in a perfectly upright position; it’s tilted on an axis and this tilt is what causes the changing seasons.
As the Earth orbits the sun, different parts of the planet will receive different amounts of sunlight throughout the year.
During the summer, the Northern Hemisphere is tilted toward the Sun. This allows us to enjoy more direct sunlight, longer days, and warmer temperatures.
During the winter, the Northern Hemisphere is tilted away from the Sun. This results in shorter days and colder temperatures.
To be precise, we also have to mention that September 22nd won’t have an exactly equal amount of daylight and night. The atmosphere bends sunlight, which causes the Sun to appear slightly above the horizon – even when it’s technically below it. So, in reality, the day will be a few minutes longer than the night. It’s close enough to equal, though, so we can fully celebrate this beautiful balance.
Welcoming Fall: How You Can Celebrate the Equinox
There are plenty of ways to celebrate the equinox and welcome the fall season into your life. You don’t need to throw a festival (although that certainly sounds fun!). Here are some easy ways to embrace the spirit of balance, gratitude, and transition:
Take a Nature Walk: Spend some time outdoors. Appreciate the changing leaves, the cooler air, and the sights and sounds of fall. It’s a great way to reconnect with nature and honor the equinox’s theme of balance.
Create a Gratitude List: Reflect on the blessings of the year so far. The equinox is a time for giving thanks. Take a moment to jot down what you're grateful for.
Harvest-Inspired Meal: Cook up a meal featuring seasonal produce, including apples, squash, pumpkins, and root vegetables. You could even host a small dinner with friends and family to celebrate.
Set Intentions for the Season: As we move into a period of longer nights, it’s the perfect time to set personal intentions or goals. What would you like to focus on as the year winds down?
This is a wonderful time of year to purchase some fall-inspired candles, make soothing pots of tea, and embrace the longer nights. Whether you journal, cozy under a blanket, or enjoy some homemade soup, it’s a peaceful time of reflection before we fully hunker down for the winter.
Before you get out and enjoy the fruits of the season, be sure to check your local weather news. We’ll let you know if you’re safe to explore with just a light jacket and jeans, or perhaps something a little bit more.
Embracing the Magic of Fall
We wish you and yours a happy fall as it gently leads into the holiday season. Together, let’s embrace the delicate balance in nature and in our lives.
Whether you celebrate by feasting with loved ones, savoring a quiet walk through the woods, or simply reflecting on the change in season, it’s a great time to pause and reflect upon the natural world around us.
You know what else fall means? We’re also about to get a reprieve from storm season. Stay with us until the end of November, when it officially ends, and we’ll keep you in the loop with all the latest weather updates. And, if you enjoyed this article, please share it with friends and family out on social media!