What is it? It’s a milestone in Earth’s orbit around the sun. At an equinox, the sun appears directly above Earth’s equator. At the September equinox, it’s crossing from north to south.
https://earthsky.org/
When is it? The September equinox will fall at 6:50 UTC (1:50 a.m. CDT) September 23, 2023.
Note: The name equinox comes from the Latin aequus (equal) and nox (night). At the equinox, days and nights are said to be equal in length for everyone across the globe. And it’s true. They are approximately equal. Read: Why aren’t day and night exactly equal on the equinox?
Solstices and equinoxes are dictated by the Earth’s axial tilt and its elliptical journey around the sun – a celestial dance that results in our changing seasons.
The Earth orbits the sun, spinning on an axis tilted at approximately 23.5 degrees relative to its orbital plane. This tilt – not the distance from the sun – is the primary reason for seasonal temperature variation.
During the Summer Solstice, around June 21st, the Earth’s tilt towards the sun reaches its peak. One hemisphere of the Earth, in this case, the Northern, receives the sun’s rays most directly, resulting in the longest day of the year. Conversely, around December 21st, the Earth’s tilt away from the sun culminates in the Winter Solstice, marking the shortest day of the year for the same hemisphere.
The equinoxes, occurring around March 21st and September 22nd, represent points of balance in this cosmic dance. On these days, the Earth isn’t tilting toward or away from the sun, resulting in nearly equal lengths of day and night across the globe.
So, as our planet spins on its slightly skewed axis, circling the sun in its elliptical path, we experience these pivotal moments of solstices and equinoxes. They punctuate our calendar, demarcating our transition from one season to the next, and reminding us of our intricate dance with the cosmos.
The Spring Equinox represents rebirth and renewal, as the earth awakens from its winter slumber and life begins anew. It’s a time to cleanse ourselves of what no longer serves us, making way for new beginnings. The Autumn Equinox signifies the harvest, a time to reap what we’ve sown and express gratitude for our blessings. It’s a moment to honor the balance between giving and receiving, work and rest, and to prepare for the introspective journey of winter.
These celestial events remind us of the cyclical nature of life, the ebb and flow of seasons, and our intimate connection with the cosmos. They invite us to pause, reflect, and align ourselves with the rhythms of nature, nurturing our spiritual growth and fostering a deeper understanding of our place in the universe.
Equinoxes stand as moments of profound balance. Like an equal-armed cross perfectly poised, they represent a crucifixion of time, a fulcrum between seasons where day and night bow to each other in perfect equilibrium, each holding sway for precisely half of the Earth’s 24-hour dance.
The equinox, much like the cross, is a testament to the transitions of life and time, embodying the dichotomy of existence in its most elemental form: light and dark, growth and decay, spring and autumn. It is a moment that captures the essence of our journey, both planetary and personal, as we traverse the undulating path of experience.
As we approach the Spring Equinox in the Southern Hemisphere, we are on the cusp of rebirth, perched on the precipice of renewal. The seeds of intention, buried in the fertile soil of our consciousness during the introspective winter, are ready to burst forth into the warming light. It is a time of awakening, of re-emergence, when life stirs from its slumber, shaking off the frosty mantle of winter. Like the cross, it signifies a resurrection, a renaissance of the spirit echoing the planet’s own rejuvenation.
Conversely, the Autumn Equinox in the Northern Hemisphere symbolizes a different crucifixion, a different transition. As the harvest moon rises, we step over the threshold from the vibrant summer into the reflective autumn. The fruits of our actions, ripened under the relentless summer sun, are ready for harvest. It is a time of introspection, of gratitude, and preparation for the inward journey that winter brings. Much like the leaves falling from the trees, we are called upon to shed what no longer serves us, to let go, and prepare for a period of inner growth.
Whether it’s the Spring Equinox heralding the dawn of life’s exuberance or the Autumn Equinox ushering in a period of introspection and inner growth, these moments serve as important reminders of our journey’s cyclical nature. They are the crucifixion points on the cross of existence, the balance between the physical and the spiritual, the external and the internal, the Yin and the Yang.
And so, as we align ourselves with these cosmic rhythms, we deepen our understanding, not only of the world around us but also the universe within us. In the grand scheme of things, we are but a microcosm of the cosmos, mirroring its cycles, its ebbs and flows, its perpetual dance of death and rebirth. And it is in these moments of perfect balance, these equinoxes, that we find a deeper resonance with the truth of our existence.
In response to the spiritual energies that are pouring into the planet the light workers of the world are establishing a vast planetary network that is increasingly recognizing these equinox and solstice periods as times of spiritual opportunity.
Kathy Newburn
The Lord of the World, the One Initiator, He Who is called in the Bible “The Ancient of Days,” and in the Hindu Scriptures the First Kumara, He, Sanat Kumara it is, Who from His throne at Shamballa in the Gobi desert, presides over the Lodge of Masters, and holds in His hands the reins of government in all the three departments. Called in some Scriptures “the Great Sacrifice,” He has chosen to watch over the evolution of men and devas until all have been occultly “saved.” He it is Who decides upon the “advancements” in the different departments, and Who settles who shall fill the vacant posts; He it is Who, four times a year, meets in conference with all the Chohans and Masters, and authorizes what shall be done to further the ends of evolution.
Initiation, Human and Solar by Alice A. Bailey, p. 106
An Equinox Meditation
Begin by finding a quiet space where you will not be disturbed. Sit comfortably, with your back straight. Close your eyes gently and take several deep breaths, allowing your body to relax and your mind to become still.
Visualize yourself standing at the center of an equal-armed cross: the horizontal arm representing the physical plane of existence, the vertical depicting the spiritual realm. Recognize this moment of the Equinox as a point of perfect balance between these two dimensions, a sacred intersection where day equals night, light equals dark, the visible equals the invisible.
Now, turn your attention inward. Sense a golden light within your heart, a reflection of the sun that shines equally on all of us. This is your inner sun, your source of love and spiritual power. Feel its warmth radiating outwards, illuminating every cell of your body, every corner of your being.
As you breathe in, imagine this light growing brighter, stronger. As you breathe out, visualize this light expanding beyond your physical form, reaching out to your immediate surroundings, your community, your country, and eventually encompassing the entire planet.
As you breathe out, also visualize this golden light expanding beyond your physical form, forming the first point of a radiant triangle, connecting you with two other points – individuals or groups of people – in your community, creating a network of enlightened connectivity.
Imagine these triangles multiplying, their luminosity intensifying, spreading across your country, and eventually encompassing the entire planet. See this global network of triangles pulsating with the combined light of humanity, a grid of spiritual unity and shared purpose.
Through this visualization, you’re not just expanding your own light but actively participating in a worldwide service, contributing to the collective consciousness of humanity, and invoking light, love, and spiritual power into our shared reality.
Recognize that this light is not merely yours. It’s the collective light of humanity, the combined glow of billions of inner suns. By adding your light to this luminous tapestry, you contribute to the illumination of human consciousness, invoking a higher, spiritual potency into the world.
Hold this visualization as long as you feel comfortable, maintaining a steady flow of breath.
When you’re ready, slowly bring your awareness back to your physical surroundings. Open your eyes gently, carrying the memory of this light within you.
The Equinox is not just an astronomical event. It’s a spiritual milestone reminding us of the balance that exists within us and around us. This meditation aims to tap into this equilibrium, harnessing it as a source of light and love for ourselves and our planet.
This meditation not just a personal practice but a form of world service. Each time you perform it, you contribute to the collective consciousness of humanity, invoking light, love, and spiritual power into our shared reality.
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