The Effects of the Autumnal Equinox
/by Cintra Harbold, LCPC
We recently marked the Autumnal Equinox (September 22nd) which means that fall has unofficially begun in the Northern Hemisphere.
The word “equinox” is derived from Latin and literally translates to “equal night.” The equinox is an astronomical event based on how the sun hits the Earth and the tilt of the Earth’s axis; day and night are almost equal – roughly 12 hours each.
The fall equinox affects many things on Earth, including:
Human health: Our biological circadian rhythm is influenced by daylight variations, and this can result in disruptions to our sleep and mood patterns. Seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, is possible for some.
Changes in animal behavior: To survive the upcoming winter, many animal species adapt their feeding patterns, migrate, or both in reaction to the equinox’s changing light conditions.
The agricultural industry: To ensure food storage for the winter, farmers gather crops according to the timing of the fall equinox, which traditionally marks the beginning of the harvest season.
Wherever you are on the planet, the equinox occurs on the exact same day and moment, but in the Southern Hemisphere, the seasons are reversed. The Southern Hemisphere already has a milder climate in general due to having more ocean than land, but instead of preparing for Winter and cooler temperatures (Hello sweaters!), they are now beginning to experience milder weather and increased temperatures (Hello sandals!).
Knowing these facts helps me feel a bit more connected to others and to the Earth itself. It’s nice to know that there are certain things I can count on happening on a regular basis, without me having to expend energy to MAKE them happen. In a seemingly unpredictable world, there is still some predictability.
It’s also a good reminder that others around the world experience changes in season, albeit in their own way. While our long, lingering days of summer begin to recede and shorten and the heat and humidity are gradually (or not!) replaced by cooler temperatures, the other half of the world is having a different experience. (Did you know that hurricanes spin in different directions in each hemisphere due to the Coriolis force?)
It’s important for us to remember that while we all have different perspectives and experiences in the world, we also share many commonalities. Among them, the sky, the air, the ground under our feet. We share the same experience of heat and cold on our skin, the feeling of rain or perspiration on our body. We may even share the same anticipation of a change in seasons, a slowing down, a speeding up.
So as you experience these fall days of colorful leaves, pumpkins, woodsmoke, and cooler temperatures, remember your neighbors and fellow Earth dwellers in the Southern Hemisphere and wish them well. May they cherish the extra light while they have it, and may we cherish the additional darkness, until the light returns to us once again.
