Autumnal Equinox

Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.

― Albert Camus

The autumnal equinox takes place at 4:21 a.m. EDT Wednesday, September 22 when the sun moves directly over the equator, making day and night nearly the same length. That’s where the word comes from, “equi” for equal in Latin and with “nox” for night. The autumn equinox is the official beginning of fall which continues until December 21, Winter solstice.

In the 1200s, fall was called harvest in the 1200s, but 300 years later people began using the term “autumn,” from old French word autompne. Fall, from “fall of the leaf,” gained popularity in the 16th century. The British continue to refer to the season as “autumn” while in the United States we typically say fall.

Call the season what you will but there is no doubt that the air is crisper, green leaves are changing to brilliant hues of red and gold, and birds are packing their bags for the trip south. Dusk is earlier and daylight dwindles. Welcome fall.

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Take the road less traveled, Beth