Autumnal Equinox ~ September 23, 2005
The word equinox comes from the Latin words "æquus" (equal), and "nox" (night). That said, I probably don't need to explain it further, but I'm going to indulge my license as curator of this blog.
The seasons of the year are caused by the 23.5º tilt of the earth's axis. Because the earth is rotating like a top or gyroscope, it points in a fixed direction continuously -- towards a point in space near the North Star. But the earth is also revolving around the sun. During half of the year, the southern hemisphere is more exposed to the sun than is the northern hemisphere. During the rest of the year, the reverse is true. At noontime in the Northern Hemisphere the sun appears high in the sky during summertime and low in the sky during winter. It is highest at the summer solstice (about June-21) and lowest at the winter solstice (about December-21). The half-way points in the year are called the equinoxes. It is time of the year when the sun rises exactly in the east, travels through the sky for 12 hours, and sets exactly in the west. How cool is our God?!
Mmmm... I love Autumn! The night air has a tang about it, the darkness of winter is coming and it's time for the earth to sleep until the sun is again brought forth from the dark. We gather with friends to strengthen our spirits in preparation for the passage into Winter. But it is a time of thanksgiving, for on the other side of that dark Winter is Spring. How cool is our God?!

If you are looking for a fun way to celebrate Equinox, and happen to be close by McMenamins , they have free concerts and fun for the whole fam!