Fall (Autumn) Equinox by Adnan Qaiser

Hello Friends:

Autumn versus Fall

First of all, let’s clear up the difference between “Autumn” and “Fall.”

Since English language is universally known to be British, the word “Autumn” for the third season of the year comes from the British English.

However, since the independence of the United States, the Americans tried to reverse everything British. For instance, they put the electric switches upside down; drive on the right side of the lane; use 110 volts of electric power as against 220 volts; and measure quantity and distance in gallons and miles, etc. Thus, the Americans chose to call the Autumn season as Fall – relating it to the “falling of the leaves from the trees.”

Fall Equinox (First Day of Autumn)

“Autumn Equinox” is termed as the first day of Autumn – or Fall, if you will – and shall be falling on Sunday, September 22, 2024 in the Northern Hemisphere.

The word Equinox comes from Latin origin, meaning “equal night.” Thus, on Autumn Equinox, the length of the day is almost equal to the duration of the night.

Fall Equinox occurs at the “mid-point” between Summer Solstice and Winter Solstice.

The word?solstice?is derived from two Latin words:?sol,?meaning “sun,” and?stit,?meaning “standing.” Over time, the word changed to “solstitium,” and gradually shortened to “solstice.”

Summer Solstice

“Summer Solstice” is the “first day of the summer” when the day is the longest in the year. This year (2024), the summer solstice fell on Thursday, June 20th.

This longest day of the year occurs when the sun crosses its highest and northernmost points in the sky.

Winter Solstice

“Winter Solstice” remains the opposite to summer solstice as the “shortest day with longest night.”

This year (2024) the Winter Solstice shall occur on Saturday, December 21st.

Spring Equinox (First Day of Spring)

Spring Equinox, likewise, stands for the “first day of the spring season,” which fell on Tuesday, March, 19, 2024.

The Spring Equinox (in March) occurs when the “sun crosses the Equator towards” the Northern Hemisphere and at Fall Equinox (in September), the sun moves back to the Southern Hemisphere at the Equator.

Worm Moon

Since the spring season ushers renewed hope and blossoms growth and life to the natural habitat after snowy winter, the “first full moon” is called as the “Worm Moon” relating to the living creatures under the Earth’s surface come out to the ground.

The Autumn Mood

The Fall season brings several changes from mood to activities of the people and natural habitat.

For instance, the ambiance generally gets somber and our emotional state tones down – from the mad summer rush and excitement to a state of serenity and tranquility.

As the trees begin to shed their leaves, they first change their color into beautiful multiple hues and shades.

The birds start to migrate to southern areas for warmer climes and squirrels come out in number to begin storing their supply of nuts for the winter season.

So let’s welcome the Fall (season), with cooler temperatures and some calmer and soothing moments.

Happy reading!

~ Adnan Qaiser, September 10, 2024 ~