Autumn Equinox a Change is Coming 21st March 2024! Plus A Equinox Soup Recipe…

As the vibrant hues of summer gradually fade into the warm tones of autumn, we find ourselves at a pivotal moment in the Earth’s journey around the sun: the autumn equinox. This celestial event, marking the transition from summer to fall, has been celebrated by cultures around the world for centuries. With its rich tapestry of traditions and rituals, the autumn equinox offers a profound opportunity to reflect on the cyclical nature of life and embrace the balance between light and dark.

The equinoxes, both spring and autumn, occur due to the tilt of the Earth’s axis relative to its orbit around the Sun. This tilt is approximately 23.5 degrees relative to the plane of its orbit, causing different parts of the Earth to receive varying amounts of sunlight throughout the year. The equinoxes mark the moments when the Sun crosses the celestial equator, resulting in nearly equal lengths of day and night all over the world.

The autumn equinox, also called the fall equinox, signifies the start of autumn in the southern hemisphere and spring in the northern hemisphere. It typically occurs around September 22nd or 23rd in the northern hemisphere and March 20th or 21st in the southern hemisphere. This year in New Zealand 2024 it is on the 21st March. Similar to the spring equinox, during the autumn equinox, the Sun crosses the celestial equator, resulting in approximately equal durations of daylight and darkness worldwide. Following the autumn equinox, days gradually shorten as the Earth tilts away from the Sun, leading to cooler temperatures and the onset of the fall season.

Traditions Around the World:

Across different cultures, the autumn equinox is a time of harvest celebrations, gratitude, and spiritual reflection. Here are some of the diverse traditions observed around the globe:

Harvest Festivals: Many cultures commemorate the abundance of the harvest season during the autumn equinox. In the United States, Thanksgiving is a quintessential example of this, where families gather to give thanks for the blessings of the past year and enjoy a feast together.
Japanese Buddhist Tradition: In Japan, the autumn equinox, known as Higan, is a time for visiting family graves, cleaning tombstones, and offering prayers for ancestors. It’s a solemn occasion marked by reflection on the impermanence of life and the importance of honoring one’s lineage.
Chinese Moon Festival: Also known as the Mid-Autumn Festival, this celebration falls on the day of the autumn equinox in China. Families gather to admire the full moon, enjoy mooncakes, and express gratitude for the blessings of family unity and harmony.
Pagan Rituals: For many practitioners of modern Paganism, the autumn equinox, or Mabon, is a time to honour the balance between light and dark, masculine and feminine energies. Rituals often involve offerings to the Earth, such as fruits, nuts, and grains, as well as activities like meditation, divination, and creating seasonal crafts.

Equinox Soup Recipe:

In keeping with the spirit of balance and abundance, here’s a delicious Equinox Soup recipe that celebrates the flavours of the season:

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 carrots, diced
2 celery stalks, diced
2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
1 small butternut squash, peeled and diced
4 cups vegetable broth
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried rosemary
Salt and pepper to taste
1/2 cup heavy cream (optional)
Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions:

Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion and garlic, and sauté until softened and fragrant.
Add the carrots, celery, potatoes, and butternut squash to the pot. Cook for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Pour in the vegetable broth, then add the dried thyme and rosemary. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Bring the soup to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low and cover. Let it cook for about 20-25 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.
Once the vegetables are cooked through, use an immersion blender to blend the soup until smooth. Alternatively, you can transfer the soup in batches to a blender and blend until smooth, then return it to the pot.
If desired, stir in the heavy cream to add richness to the soup.
Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with fresh chopped parsley before serving.

This Equinox Soup is a nourishing blend of autumn vegetables, infused with aromatic herbs and spices. Enjoy it as a comforting meal to celebrate the abundance of the season and the balance of light and dark. Whether you’re observing ancient traditions or simply savoring the beauty of nature’s transition, may the autumn equinox inspire you to embrace harmony and gratitude in your life.

The equinoxes are significant astronomical events that symbolize balance and transition in the Earth’s annual cycle. They have been observed and celebrated by civilizations throughout history, serving as markers for agricultural, cultural, and spiritual practices. Whether it’s the celebration of new life and growth in the spring or the harvest and abundance in the autumn, the equinoxes remind us of the interconnectedness of nature and the cyclical rhythms that govern our planet’s existence.