Autumn equinox - 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 moves from Virgo to Libra, and the length of the day is equal to the length of the night. This day is considered sacred by the peoples of the whole world, each tradition has its own beliefs and rituals of celebration.
After the autumn equinox, there are fewer and fewer hours of sunshine in the day, the duration of night time increases until the winter solstice, when the duration of the night reaches its maximum.
The farming season ends, people harvest, the leaves on the trees turn red, like the sunset sky, which has to be seen every day earlier. Dawns and rains become colder, a dank wind reminds of the approach of a fierce winter. The Slavs watched the change in nature, and the onset of astronomical autumn was reflected in their culture.
YearEastern Slavs began in March, so the day of the autumn equinox coincided with the beginning of the seventh month - the time of the god Veles. Festivities dedicated to the deity continued for two weeks. Honey surya was an integral intoxicating component of the celebration. On the festive table there were always pies with cabbage, meat and lingonberries.
The mountain ash had a special magical power, according to the ancient Slavs. On the autumn equinox, her brushes were laid between the 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 cannot do this.
During the time of Kievan Rus, there was another tradition. Farmers symbolically offered honors to the goddess Zhiva for the generously granted rich shoots. According to the beliefs of the inhabitants of Kievan Rus, the goddess spent winter in the heavenly kingdom - Svarga, and on the day of the spring equinox she returned to earth to give her earthly worshipers a new harvest.
Autumn equinox - The great feast of Thekla - zarevnitsy. On this day, dry grass was burned in the fields, and, according to legend, Thekla's sundress was the color of fire in the fields, and her hair was straw with fiery strands.
Mexicans traditionally visit the Pyramid of Kukulkan ("Feathered Serpent") on this day. At the top of this pyramid is a temple, and on each side of the pyramid - north, east, west and south - there is a staircase of 91 steps. If you count the steps on all sides of the pyramid and add to them the upper platform, you get a number,corresponding to the number of days in a year - 365.
During the spring and autumn equinoxes, the sun's rays fall on the main staircase, forming a shadow of amazing shape: the alternation of light and dark triangles creates an optical illusion of a feathered serpent, which becomes more and more distinct as the sun approaches the horizon. This truly fantastic action lasts 3 hours 22 minutes, and those who are lucky enough to make a wish while standing at the top of the pyramid, according to legend, will definitely get what they want.
Rituals dedicated to the autumn equinox differ in different cultures, but despite these differences, people in all parts of the world are united on this day by celebrating the meeting of astronomical autumn.
