Kurt, Jim, Bob, and the rest of the Traveler staff would like to take this opportunity to wish all of our readers a Happy Autumnal Equinox.
The autumnal equinox, which arrives today at 5:18 EDT, has been variously termed fall equinox, autumn equinox, harvest home, harvest tide, Cornucopia, Feast of Avilon, Alban Elfed, Festival of Dionysus, Mabon, Night of the Hunter, Second Harvest Festival, Wine Harvest, Witch's Thanksgiving, and of course, the first day of autumn.
Now scientists want us to call this special day the “September equinox” to make it hemispherically neutral (in the Southern Hemisphere, this day heralds the arrival of spring, not fall). This is, of course, a monumentally stupid suggestion. Can you imagine anybody wishing you a “Happy September Equinox”? Ridiculous!
Comments
Sorry Bob--
My bah humbug was pretty lighthearted, too, even if the last day of summer was more like the first day or spring in weather as well as day length around here.
I try to see both sunrise & sunset outdoors for both equinoxes and solstices, preferably from a National Park. I recommend that over sending cards, although you've convinced me to make sure I add a good beer to the tradition. [I'm partial to ales over lagers, but both New Belgium & Fort Collins Brewing have nice Octoberfests this year.]
What's your take on the SC DOT plans to rebuild the causeway for 601 through the Congaree floodplain?
If we're going to get rid of the autumn equinox, why not get rid of spring, summer, autumn and winter as well? I mean now it's autumn in the Northern hemisphere but spring in the Southern hemisphere.
Ken Grubb
Puyallup, WA
There is already a dual system, Ken, and that's not going to change. Locals will continue to use the traditional terms. But technical writers, because of their global perspective and international audience, will have to use use March equinox, June Solstice, September equinox, and December solstice. That's to avoid confusion/ambiguity, not to mollify political correctness fanatics.