About equinoxes and solstices. Autumnal Equinox
Astrology can help us in deepening self-knowledge
It can also help us to have a broader, overall perspective on the reality that surrounds us.
Usually this is done by
– knowledge of our trends and stages through astrology,
– contribution to the intuition of our spiritual purpose in this life,
– boosting spiritual engagement to overcome obstacles and
– boosting spiritual engagement to capitalize on the beneficial astrological moments.
The knowledge and practical action related to the influence of lunar cycles, solar and lunar eclipses, equinoxes and solstices is generally sufficient in terms of actual efficiency in relation to the effort made and the transformation of our inner perspective.
We can frantically and interestingly study astrology in depth, with the significant events and influences that it describes. We can also obtain invaluable benefits by practically applying this information.
The condition is that this study of astrology does not reduce the energy and interest we put into our spiritual practice but stimulates them.
The value we can obtain from the study of astrology is given by the situation in which we apply the information in order to obtain a practical benefit and, especially, a practical spiritual benefit.
In general, it is good to know that an authentic intense, frantic and correct spiritual practice will give us the opportunity to go through the spiritual path with great efficiency, regardless of whether we are aware or not of certain astrological events and meanings.
About equinoxes and solstices. Autumnal Equinox
During the apparent annual motion of the Sun, there are four moments of reference, defined below:
The spring equinox or equinox marks the beginning of astronomical spring in the northern hemisphere and of autumn in the southern hemisphere (where the autumnal equinox takes place). At the spring equinox, the Sun passes through the vernal point, one of the two points where the ecliptic intersects the celestial equator.
As a result, the day will be equal to the night and will grow to the summer solstice.
Summer solstice
The summer solstice marks the beginning of summer in the northern hemisphere and winter in the southern hemisphere.
As a result we will have the longest day and the shortest night of the year.
The day will begin to decrease after the summer solstice and will be equal to the night at the autumnal equinox.
Autumnal Equinox
The autumnal equinox or equinox marks the beginning of astronomical autumn in the northern hemisphere and of spring in the southern hemisphere (where the spring equinox takes place).
At the autumnal equinox the Sun passes through the autumnal point, one of the two points where the ecliptic intersects the celestial equator.
As a result, the day will be equal to the night and will decrease to the winter solstice.
Winter solstice
The winter solstice marks the beginning of winter in the northern hemisphere and summer in the southern hemisphere. As a result we will have the shortest day and the longest night of the year.
The day will begin to grow after the winter solstice and will be equal to the night at the spring equinox.
Since any astronomical reality has an astrological “reflection” and, at the same time, a spiritual significance, solstices and equinoxes are known in Vedic astrology (Jyotish) as Gandanta.
Gandanta is a word of Sanskrit origin, coming from thought – “knot” and anta – “end”. It has the meaning of “karmic knot” or “spiritual knot.”
Gandanta represents, in a natal theme, the junction points where the lunar zodiac meets the solar zodiac.
These points are directly associated with moments of inner growth or spiritual leap.
Gandanta points lie at the passage between:
– Pisces (Nakshatra Revati) and Aries (Nakshatra Ashwini)
– Cancer (Nakshatra Aslesha) and Leo (Nakshatra Magha)
– Scorpio (Nakshatra Mula) and Sagittarius (Nakshatra Jyeshtha).
About equinoxes and solstices. Autumnal Equinox
In astronomical terms, the autumnal equinox can be defined as the moment when the astronomical longitude of the Sun reaches the value of 180 degrees.
The sun will cross the autumnal point, respectively it will pass from the northern hemisphere of the celestial sphere to the southern one.
At this moment the Sun will rise and set right in the cardinal points east and west, the day becoming equal to the night regardless of latitude, except for the polar areas.
Those who observed this astronomical event among the first, are the Greeks.
They discovered that this phenomenon, as well as its succession, was described by an astronomer and mathematician from the second century BC, named Hipparchus.
However, the Greeks are not the first to notice the phenomenon.
Ever since the time of the Sumerians, about five thousand years ago,
the Sumerians celebrated the warm season, which began on the date of the spring equinox and the cold season, which began on the date of the autumnal equinox.
Related to these two important moments, an ancient holiday named Akitu (A-ki-ti in Sumeriana) is still celebrated to this day.
This was a double celebration of the renewal of the earth, corresponding to the two equinoxes.
They are first mentioned in the middle of the third millennium of the old era, on a tablet in the Sumerian city of your.
Of the two Akitu, the autumn one was the most important, for the arid area of Sumer, representing the coming of the rain season bringing plenty after the summer heat.
The same was not true of the Babylonians, who, thanks to irrigation systems and recognized for the fame of the suspended gardens, revered the warm season more. For them, the spring Akitu becomes the main holiday, it was dedicated to the great god Marduk and marked the beginning of the new year in the city – state on the River Euphrates.
The Akitu tradition – the celebration of the equinoxes is transmitted in time through the Persians, Scythians, and Kurds to the present day.
The fact is that equinoxes are present as important moments in the traditions of peoples around the world.
About equinoxes and solstices. Autumnal Equinox
In the Romanian tradition, the month in which the autumnal equinox takes place, and when the day becomes equal to the night, it bears the name of Rapture or less often Vineriu.
It was said so because it was considered to be a favorable period for preparations for the preparation of wine.
It’s time to harvest crops, fruits, grapes and grapes.
This day marks the beginning of the gradual reduction of human activities in the open air, of participation in actual work in nature.
It is easy to make the transition to the care of oneself and the cultivation of our spiritual side, aiming at the desire for integration into the divine harmony and the purification of the soul.
Only in this way can a balance be achieved between action and rest, between day and night, between light and darkness, between yin and yang.
This moment of perfect balance marks the crossroads of our return from the outside to the inside, from the solar activities of summer, to the most contemplative of autumn, and then, to the natural resting moment of winter.
We can not end without mentioning a beautiful quote from the druida wisdom, which gives us an answer but also a lesson about the significance of this phenomenon:
,,The equinox of autumn is a time of preparation for a new life and a new light that begins again, eternally. We enter the darkness to gather strength and wisdom. We know the light will win again, but we have to go through the darkness to get there and then…”
2023
Spring Equinox March 20, at 23:24
Summer Solstice 21 June 17:57
Autumn Equinox 23 September 09:49
Winter Solstice 22 December 05:27