At 20:44 GMT (3:44 PM here in CST), the earth tilted just so and our planet experienced the second equinox of 2013. It is officially autumn in the northern hemisphere!
The September Equinox occurs each year on either September 22, 23 or 24. It is the moment when the angle of the earth is such that the direct rays from the sun cross the imaginary line we call the equator. On this date (as in March), the hours of daylight and sunlight are roughly equivalent.
From this point until the winter solstice in December, we in the northern hemisphere will watch our daylight minutes dwindle a little more each day as our nights lengthen. Those lucky ducks down under will experience the opposite - this is their spring equinox so the days will get longer there.
Here comes the autumn and with it, all of the wonderful family holidays that brighten the darker months of the year.
To Autumn
by William Blake
O Autumn, laden with fruit, and stained
With the blood of the grape, pass not, but sit
Beneath my shady roof; there thou mayst rest,
And tune thy jolly voice to my fresh pipe,
And all the daughters of the year shall dance!
Sing now the lusty song of fruits and flowers.
"The narrow bud opens her beauties to
The sun, and love runs in her thrilling veins;
Blossoms hang round the brows of Morning, and
Flourish down the bright cheek of modest Eve,
Till clust'ring Summer breaks forth into singing,
And feather'd clouds strew flowers round her head.
"The spirits of the air live on the smells
Of fruit; and Joy, with pinions light, roves round
The gardens, or sits singing in the trees."
Thus sang the jolly Autumn as he sat;
Then rose, girded himself, and o'er the bleak
Hills fled from our sight; but left his golden load.
For your musical inspiration today in the first moments of autumn, here is Julia Fischer accompanied by the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, performing Vivaldi's Autumn. The performance is being made at the National Botanical Gardens in Wales. Take a few minutes to enjoy!
