Friday, September 23, 2011

Autumnal Equinox


And now, something for the bohemians out there who tend toward the pagan side of life...

Today marks the Autumnal Equinox.  It is the first day of Autumn when the length of day and night are the same.  Its time to go hearth-side, to welcome the longer nights, relish the cooler days and delight in the darker half of the year.  In Greek and Roman mythology, the equinox marks the day that Persephone, must leave her mother, Demeter (earth goddess), and join her consort, Hades (god of the underworld) and take her place on the throne as his queen.  Demeter, stricken with grief will allow the earth to die a kind of dormant death until Persephone's return on the Vernal equinox in six months.

source

So go meet and be merry with your secret covens and rejoice in the changing of the seasons.  Or if you're like me and have a hard time finding witches in Texas, dress your harvest table, buy some pumpkins and pomegranates and give thanks for the bounty of summer.

source

Frolic for the last time in the woods.  
Snow fall is not far ahead.

source

Touch the decaying earth and feel her retreat into hibernation.

source

It's a beautiful time to be alive.
Harvest is here.

source

For a more in depth re-telling of the Persephone myth, click HERE.

8 comments:

Loretta Fontaine (EcoHappy Blog) said...

Sarah- The leaves are blanketing the driveway in red, time for hats and gloves, here!

I always love that those holidays bombard us so fast - Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas - easier to enjoy the chillier days and lack of light!

Loretta

Miranda said...

Thanks, Sarah, for putting a positive spin on the end of summer!

Connie said...

I know how Demeter felt. I feel that way every time we part.
I too adore the season. It's feeling crisp here in the mornings although still warm during the day. Perfect for bare feet in the grass. Soon we will all hibernate in our cozy dens for the winter.
Time for the moss green winter coats on my slipcover couches.

Amanda said...

Beautiful, beautiful post, Sarah!!!

Happy Harvest!

Betsy said...

Of course Seattle, being a bit different, is greeting the Autumnal Equinox with the 'first day of summer' - sunshine and 80 degrees, light breeze! hmmmm... We'll jump to dark, drizzle, days soon enough! Nice time of year.

Alcira Molina-Ali said...

This is one of the most beautiful myths ever.
Thanks for bringing it rushing back in.
Alcira

nerochronicles.com

my favorite and my best- MFAMB to you said...

my favoritest time of year.

also i played persephone in college.

MIchele Petrello Etter said...

Hi Sarah, I landed on this post from Pinterest! I absolutely LOVE your representation of Autumn. You captured how the season makes me feel!