Balance Point: Autumnal Equinox

September 22-23, 2022

Fall in the northern hemisphere commences on the autumnal equinox on Friday, September 23, at 1:03 AM UTC. This will be Thursday, September 22, at 9:03 PM EDT. Use World Time Buddy to convert this to your time zone if it’s different. (The autumnal equinox coincides with the vernal equinox in the southern hemisphere, which marks the beginning of springtime. Since I live in the northern half of the world, my focus in this article is mostly on the fall equinox).

From the Latin “aequus” (equal) and “nox” (night), the equinox occurs when the Sun in its apparent path along the ecliptic crosses the celestial equator. On the equinox, day and night are of equal length all across the earth.

The fall and spring equinoxes mark seasonal changes as well as shifting cycles within the human energetic system. The two are very much connected via the Law of Correspondence: “As Above, So Below; As Within, So Without.”

All of creation reflects the play of duality, and nowhere is this play more evident than in the equinoxes, when the Sun and the Earth appear momentarily poised between two opposing forces, rajas and tamas, or light and dark. Both vernal and autumnal equinoxes universally represent a time when the Earth energies as well as our own bio-energetic systems are dramatically shifting gears, turning inward in the northern hemisphere, and outward in the southern.

Researchers have long known that during the few weeks before and after equinoxes, fissures known as equinox cracks form in the Earth's magnetosphere (magnetic field). These cracks reflect sensitive bio-energetic changes occurring around the two weeks or so before and after the equinox.

To understand this, it helps to know a little more about the Earth’s electromagnetic field:

1. It is separated by the equator into the northern and southern hemispheres.

2. The magnetic flow of the northern hemisphere moves clockwise, and that of the southern hemisphere moves counterclockwise.

3. The terrestrial equator projected out onto the celestial equator forms a band of zero magnetism (a zero point field).

4. On the equinoxes, the Sun passes over this zero point field, creating a still-point in which the Earth’s magnetic energies reach their lowest ebb, at which time the entire Earth becomes intensely bathed in higher astral (spiritual or cosmic) forces.

   

5. This period of increased etheric radiation extends from the day before through the day after the equinox, so for about 72 hours total.

6. The equinox (fall or spring) is a turning point, a time of rebalancing, rebirth, and change. During this period, our emotional and physical health can be quite vulnerable, and we may need extra rest and care to protect our life force and maintain equipoise. At this sensitive time, temperatures outside are also cooling down, and days are growing shorter. Many people succumb to respiratory illnesses or other flu-like symptoms at this time. These kinds of sicknesses are simply a wake-up call to rest and take better care of one’s health, and to support the body in clearing away emotional and physical toxins.

In Vedic astrology, the equinox is called a “viṣuva,” and it marks a sankranti, which means course, passage, or entry into. The sankranti refers to the Sun making a signficant change. According to classical Muhurta (Vedic elective astrology), the day before, the day of, and the day after a viṣuva should not be chosen for beginning important events (muhurta) like weddings, starting a business, etc. This is because the Sun’s energy, which reflects the vitality and longevity of our actions, is too transitional and may not be not strong enough to sustain the intended effects of such an event over time.

Around the fall equinox, we are encouraged to perform rituals, take conscious rest, and celebrate the fruits of all the efforts made over the last six months or so. As we enjoy and give thanks for all that we have worked so hard to achieve, let us offer the seeds of our harvest toward our dreams for a beautiful, productive, and peaceful future.

In my next article titled “Autumn Glory,” I go into more detail about how to create balance and harmony in the fall season!