The autumnal equinox is the day when the Sun passes through the intersection of the ecliptic and the celestial equator, moves from the Northern Hemisphere to the Southern. Autumn equinox 2012 and 2013 - September 22nd. On this day, the Sun passes from the sign of Virgo to the sign of Libra, and the length of the day is equal to the length of the night. This day is considered sacred among the peoples of the whole world. Each tradition has its own beliefs and rites of celebration.
After the autumnal equinox, the number of hours becomes less and less, the duration of nighttime increases until the winter solstice, when the duration of the night reaches its maximum.
The agricultural season ends, people harvest, the leaves on the trees turn red, like the sunset sky, which has to be observed every day earlier. Dawns and rains are getting colder, the dank wind reminds of the approach of a fierce winter. The Slavs watched a change in nature, and the onset of astronomical autumn was reflected in their culture.
The year for the Eastern Slavs began in March, so the day of the autumnal equinox coincided with the beginning of the seventh month - the time of the god Veles. The festivities dedicated to the deity lasted two weeks. Honey Surya was an integral hop component of the celebration. On the festive table there were always pies with cabbage, meat and lingonberries.
According to the ancient Slavs, mountain ash possessed special magic power. In the autumnal equinox, her hands were laid between window frames. It was believed that the mountain ash retains solar energy and protects the house from dark forces during the period of the year when the sun can not do this.
In the days of Kievan Rus there was another tradition. The farmers symbolically offered honors to the goddess Zhive for the generously bestowed rich seedlings. According to the legends of the inhabitants of Kievan Rus, the goddess in the winter was in the heavenly kingdom - Svarga, and on the day of the spring equinox she returned to the earth to give her earthly fans a new crop.
The Autumnal Equinox - The Great Fekla Feast - Cisterns. On this day, dry grass was burned in the fields, and, according to legend, the color of fire in the fields was Thekla's sundress, and her hair was straw with fiery strands.
Mexicans traditionally visit the Cuculcan Pyramid ("Feathered Serpent") on this day. At the top of this pyramid is a temple, and on each side of the pyramid - northern, eastern, western and southern - there is a 91-step staircase. If you count the steps on all sides of the pyramid and add the upper platform to them, you get the number corresponding to the number of days in a year - 365.
In the spring and autumn equinox, the sun's rays fall on the main staircase, forming a shadow of an amazing shape: the alternation of light and dark triangles creates the optical illusion of a feathered serpent, which becomes more distinct as the sun approaches the horizon. This truly fantastic action lasts 3 hours and 22 minutes, and those who were lucky enough to make a wish while standing at the top of the pyramid, according to legend, will definitely get what they want.
The rituals dedicated to the autumnal equinox differ in different cultures, but despite these differences, people in all parts of the world are united on this day by celebrating a meeting of the astronomical autumn.
