Happy Equinox Seawolves!

Happy Equinox Seawolves! Did you know that the term equinox comes from the word aequus (from latin) and means equal day and equal night. 

That's right this year on Tuesday, September 22, 2020. For us on Seawolf time (pacfic time) fall arrives exactly at 6:31 A.M. Sounds like we’re waking up early for some pumpkin spiced lattes and a beautiful fall sunrise. For Seawolves off campus check your local time for when then Equinox starts. 

Equinox usually kicks off Harvest Season. This equal time signals to farmers that winter is coming and it is time to collect crops. Another sign is with the changing of the leaves. We can pay attention to this by watching the trees around us. Obviously now we have calendars but it's fun to watch how nature shows us the seasons. 

In Mexico, the Mayans created a temple using astronomical calculations to create the Snake of Sunlight. This snake only shows itself on the main pyramid in Chichen Itza, Mexico during the Equinox. 

Other countries take this time to celebrate the season change with week long events. There is a Hindu festival called Navratri that can last several days. During this time the festival honors Devi, the divine mother goddess, who also is the goddess of creative power and representation of all women in the universe. 

Another festival happens in the Chinese and Vietnamese communities called the Mid Autumn Festival or Moon Festival. While under the harvest full moon, families gather to celebrate the summer harvest and will create mooncakes. Mooncakes are filled with lotus, sesame seed, a duck egg or dried fruits! Yum! 

Japan has both Equinoxes, spring and fall, as national holidays.  During these times the Buddhist celebrate Higan, a 6 day celebration. Higan translates to other shores and refers to the spirits reaching their resting place. This is a time to remember your passed on family members by visiting and decorating their graves. 

How do you celebrate the Equinox?