Autumn Equinox

 The sun is halfway through his journey across the eastern sky. At the Winter Solstice, he will rise far to the south then begin the slow return.

But for now, our day and night are of equal length. Those long-shadowed summer evenings when the twilight lingered on and on and fireflies danced across the meadows will give way to early dark, the comfort of lighting a fire and pulling up an extra blanket.

Autumnal Equinox

The sun is in the middle of our horizon, beginning its long slide south. 

Poised between summer heat and winter cold, we enjoy the glory and the poignant, fleeting beauties of autumn. 

Just now, our windows are still open, but I'm wearing a hoodie and sleeping under blankets at night. 

It's all about balance.

                                                         

Seasonal Shift

                                                                             

The Equinox (9/23) is a week away but cooler weather and a desire to spread out the work had me getting started on my seasonal rearranging yesterday. Down come the paintings of white lilies and the blue and white porcelain and up go the mountain road and the quilters, in suitably autumnal colors. And some crows.

                                                       

Away with the seashells and summer stuff in the corner cupboard. I guess I'm glad that I have only two shelves to work with since Josie's Castle People have exercised Eminent Domain on the bottom two.

Yes, those are cleaning supplies under Danielle Barlowe's beautiful Raven. (If you don't know her work, give yourself a treat and check out her website HERE.) Moving stuff around always reveals an embarrassing accumulation of dust and cobwebs to be dealt with. Another good reason for this seasonal shift.

There's still lots to do, mainly cleaning--but it can wait. 

                                                       

Turning and Finding Balance

The equinox-- today the day and night are of equal length--and autumn truly begins. the land is weary with summer heat and ready to slip into a rejuvenating rest, after a display of color.

The seasons' turnings always seem rejuvenating to me--even now when we're headed to the darker half of the year 

Same as it ever was...same as it ever was...

 

Autumnal Equinox

 

 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

 A time to be born, and a time to die; a  time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

King James Version

                 

Autumnal Equinox--A Fine Balance

 In this unbalanced time

It's good to see the sun rise

Due east as it should.

Halfway from summer,

Hanging in the year's balance,

Halfway to winter...

Autumnal Equinox

The seasons turn and the sun heads South . . .

I'm sorry to see the approaching end of fresh local peaches and tomatoes as well as my little porch garden.  But the heat and the current drought make me yearn for wet fall days. And a hard frost that will kill the little gnats that are spreading the disease that has killed so many deer and filled our holler with the smell of death.

In spite of the heat, my thoughts are turning to soups and stews, roasted root vegetables, flannel shirts, and chilly nights by the fireplace.

To everything there is a season . . .

Equinox -- The Great Wheel Turns

And what a pleasure to see a sunrise, unblocked by trees! We face due east and I've always enjoyed following the sun's course during the year. It's at mid-point now, as it moves from north to south (where it'll be behind  a ridge by winter solstice.)

Though Fall is officially here, the weather is still rather warm. But the air is drier and something in the quality of the light is turning my thoughts toward getting ready for cooler days. 

I find myself reorganizing the pantry and freezer, taking stock of what's on hand and making notes of what's needed. (Getting ready for winter is not unlike getting ready for a hurricane as winter can bring impassable roads and/or power outages. Not always, not often, but it never hurts to be prepared.)

The season's turn brings new energy and I'm making mental lists . . . they need to stay in my mind because if I write them down, it will be too daunting. But perhaps I'll begin with getting rid of the mildew and mold caused by a damper than usual summer.

And the Wheel Turns Autumnwards

                              Summer's lushness fades, 

                                 Air cools, leaves crisp, nights lengthen,

                                    And Autumn arrives.

                                Seasons come and go . . .

                             Seasons come and go . . .

 Day and night balance

 A brief moment in the sun's

                            Journey to the South.

                                And still the Great Wheel turns . . .

                                     And still the Great Wheel turns . . .

The Autunal Equinox

Sun rise at center 

Of the eastern horizon. . .

Day and night balance . . . 

A fleeting moment

On the celestial scales . . .

The great wheel creaks on.

Autumnal Equinox 2010

Smack in the middle 

Of the eastern horizon

Autumn's sun rises.

Tiny drops of dew

Shine with reflected glory;

Trees throw up their arms

And shout Hosanna 

To the morning. Fall's rich light

Lies across the land.

and courtesy of Miss Yves . . .  an elegant translation!
Would anyone else like to play? 
 
Equinoxe d'automne 2010

Juste en plein milieu
De l'horizon au levant
Soleil automnal.

Gouttes de rosée
Se reflétant dans sa gloire
Les arbres s'agitent

Clamant Hosanna
A l'aube.La lumière en pluie
S'étend sur la terre .


 

Autumnal Equinox 2009

The weather seems unlikely to cooperate so I'm putting up a picture of last year's equinoctial sunrise. Our house faces due east and the sun is now in the center of our horizon. By the winter solstice it will have crept far to the south and be lost behind a ridge for much of the day.

The equinox falls on the 22nd this year. I had thought that solstices and equinoxes were always on the 21st but evidently not. Here's a nifty website that explains all this for those who've ever wanted to know about the Precession of the Equinoxes. (I adore that phrase -- I think I first encountered it in Kipling's Just So Stories.)

But 21st or 22nd, the wheel of the year is turning. I look at the purple sage spilling over the rock wall and the thought of Thanksgiving turkey is in my mind. Not so far away.

Coleous captures the last of the summer sunlight before being hustled into the greenhouse for protection from coming cold weather.

And pumpkins from the garden are bright markers along our entry path -- lighting up another dreary day.