Earth (element)
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One of the
four Elements. Earth
qualities include: stability, dependability, seriousness, manifestation, structure,
down-to-earth, grounded, realistic. Earth signs are:
Taurus, Virgo,
Capricorn.
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Equinox
Vernal Equinox
Spring Equinox
March Equinox
Autumnal Equinox
Fall Equinox
September Equinox
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This is when there is equal day and night on the
Earth,
caused by a particular alignment of the tilt of the Earth and its
relationship to the Sun. This
happens twice in a year – in March and September.
In the Northern
Hemisphere, the March equinox is the start of Spring, and the
September equinox begins Autumn. In the Southern Hemisphere, these
are switched: March begins the Autumn and September begins the
Spring.
Astronomically, the equinoxes occur when the direct line
of the Sun's light crosses over the equator. In the
Tropical Zodiac, the March equinox marks the
Sun’s entry into Aries and the September
equinox marks the Sun’s entry into Libra
(for both hemispheres).
The traditional names for the equinoxes are the Vernal Equinox
(March) and the Autumnal Equinox (September). However, these correspond
to the seasons of the northern hemisphere: vernal means "spring" and
autumnal means "fall." In our
ever-encompassing global world, there are new attempts to
name these
events in a way that is more universal and not dependent on which
hemisphere or culture you're in or which type of calendar you use. None
of the options put forward are accepted universally as yet.
In an attempt to be inclusive and bridge at least some of these differences, this
website typically uses the terms "March Equinox" and "September
equinox."
Pronounced: ECK-kwin-nox or EEK-kwin-nox. Compare:
Solstice.
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