Equinox Goddess (Turning), Half Shadow, Half Light, Blue Rock, Green Loves Blue, Minneapolis, Minnesota, Fall Equinox, September 2007, photo © 2007-2008 by QuoinMonkey. All rights reserved.
It is the Fall Equinox. The veils between the worlds are thinner. There is an opening that allows us to consciously engage the Doorways to the Mysteries — to set intentions. Clarity — what do you want to come to pass in your life? Twice each year, no matter where we are on this Earth, the Sun rises and sets exactly over the Equator, tracking exactly due East and due West.
According to Cayelin K Castell at Shamanic Astrology, the Ancients knew what they were doing when they built an Equinox corridor in Chaco Canyon:
The ancient architects and builders of Chaco Canyon (in New Mexico) were inspired to build what is essentially now explained as some sort of equinox corridor in their main building complex. This corridor marks the equinox Sunrise, tracks the Sun’s journey through the sky, and then marks the equinox Sun set. This corridor was designed to capture the So Below experience of this As Above bi-annual event, giving us another potent clue about the importance of this seasonal timing. This understanding may inspire each of us to tune in and discover what significance the equinox timings represent for us individually and collectively.
It only takes a few steps into Chaco Canyon to realize the Ancient Peoples, the Land and the mythology, are as grounded and rooted as they are otherworldly. But are we living in such different times now? Doesn’t every day offer us the opportunity for forgiveness, for mercy, for compassion? For one more chance to embrace our better selves?
There were no formerly heroic times, and there was no formerly pure generation. There is no one here but us chickens, and so it has always been: a people busy and powerful, knowledgeable, ambivalent, important, fearful, and self-aware; a people who scheme, promote, deceive, and conquer; who pray for their loved ones, and long to flee misery and skip death.
It is a weakening and discoloring idea, that rustic people knew God personally once upon a time — or even knew selflessness or courage or literature — but that it is too late for us. In fact, the absolute is available to everyone in every age. There never was a more holy age than ours, and never a less.
– Annie Dillard, from For The Time Being, Chapter Three, Random House, 1999
The year has seemed chaotic, serious, negative, uncertain. In this country, we are in the middle of a tense election process, the war in Iraq drags on, and towering financial structures are crumbling around us. But we have to keep going. Every piece of shadow that covers a crack in the sidewalk is an opening — because it also covers the mineral, the gem.
Maybe the Philosopher’s Stone is buried. Maybe it hasn’t seen the light of day in 3 million years. It doesn’t matter. We all have access to everything that came before us. And I agree with Annie – there is no time like Now.
There is no less holiness at this time — as you are reading this — than there was the day the Red Sea parted, or that day in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, on the fifth day of the month, as Ezekiel was a captive by the river Chebar, when the heavens opened and he saw visions of God.
There is no whit less enlightenment under the tree by your street than there was under the Buddha’s bo tree. There is no whit less might in heaven or on earth than there was the day Jesus said “Maid, arise” to the centurion’s daughter, or the day Peter walked on water, or the night Mohammed flew to heaven on a horse.
In any instant the sacred may wipe you with its finger. In any instant the bush may flare, your feet may rise, or you may see a bunch of souls in a tree. In any instant, you may avail yourself of the power to love your enemies; to accept failure, slander, or the grief of loss; or to endure torture.
Purity’s time is always now.
— Annie Dillard, from For The Time Being, Chapter Three, Random House, 1999
-posted on red Ravine on the Fall Equinox, Monday, September 22nd, 2008
-related to post: 8 Minutes
One thing I like most about autumn is the meaning itself, which is “transition.” It’s open to so many interpretations including uncertainty, shadows, disguises, etc.. With each of these words I just mentioned, each is its own “transition.” One can transition from uncertainty to certainty, shadows to light, disguises to things that are real and concrete, etc.. I can go on and on.
Also, this season is also a wonderful time for reflection and meditation as the season changes. It’s also a great time to change heart when one can spend more time with loved ones and friends.
It’s my favorite season, and what you discussed and shard was a wonderful thought-provoking post. 🙂
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Wow, QM, those Annie Dillard excerpts are so wise, so fearless—thank you for finding them and tying them to this post on Fall Equinox. You’re right and she’s right, each moment and each day gives us another opportunity to embrace our better selves.
I know you are especially attuned to the movements of the sun and the moon and earth, and that you recognize every Equinox. What did you notice different about today, in terms of how you felt or what you saw? Where does Fall Equinox fall in your fondness for equinoxes? Is it among your favorites?
a~lotus, I second your comment about this being your favorite season. Mine, too. It is absolutely glorious. I felt grounded in the physical today.
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a~lotus, Fall is one of my favorite seasons. Next to Winter. But Fall feels clean, like a breath of fresh air is blowing down from the North and cleansing everything. It is often a time of transition for me, too. That means looking at what’s working and what’s not working. Can’t have one without the other. 8)
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ybonesy, I do love the Fall Equinox. But the Spring Equinox is full of hope and light. There is something I like about resting in the shadows for a while though, not being front and center, kind of sitting still in the quiet.
Though I have more rituals and group celebrations about the two Solstices, the Equinoxes for me represent a chance to look at balance. I know it doesn’t exist in day-to-day living. But I can still strive for it. Yesterday felt like an opening for me. I spent much of it alone but I didn’t feel alone. I felt connected.
And we are so much bigger than Earth. Whole galaxies, planets, stars. Connecting to wholeness doesn’t seem all that easy in a world that likes to compartmentalize and specialize and separate into differences.
The Equinoxes and Solstices remind me that there is so much more out there beyond my control. Yet it moves along in an order I can appreciate. Did you notice anything yesterday as you moved through your day?
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I felt slower yesterday than I have in a while. I spent most of the day away from the computer and away from sitting in one spot. I moved around, went to different locations and saw people there. It felt good to be on the ground, meeting with people in person in new settings.
But I also felt tired inside, especially earlier in the day. By the afternoon I was more awake. I’m busier now that I’ve been in a long time, yet I feel like I’m not moving very quickly.
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The veils between the worlds are thinner.
Didn’t Lovecraft base his entire mythos on this premise?
Thanks for reminding me. I’ve been so busy I didn’t realize the equinox had come and gone.
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“But we have to keep going. Every piece of shadow that covers a crack in the sidewalk is an opening — because it also covers the mineral, the gem.”
Thanks, QM. I needed to read this today.
I also like the Annie Dillard quotes.
I feel like I’m winding my way back inward these days. Some of the leaves are changing on the trees and it’s time to prepare for winter and the darkness. I think I’m going to enjoy the respite of winter this year.
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“It doesn’t matter. We all have access to everything that came before us. And I agree with Annie – there is no time like Now.”
And I agree with you, QM. Excellent post…Amen!
I needed to be reminded of this tonight, and I thank you.
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ybonesy, it’s good to get away from the computer, a whole different world. Things slow down for me, too, when I do that.
Stevo, yes, I think Lovecraft did do that. Haven’t read his words in quite a while. Thanks for reminding me.
Robin, I’ve been heading inward myself. I always do that in Fall and Winter. It’s so dark in the mornings now, too. I want to sleep more and hibernate. So much good fresh air this time of year!
Suz, thank you. It’s so hard to live in each moment, especially in down times. And because sometimes the moment isn’t that great and it seems so much easier to escape into something else. I read Dillard’s words again this morning and they seem so whole, so simple. Every ordinary moment is a sacred moment; at any moment a miracle can happen. Her words give me hope.
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[…] Dairy Building. The Fair signifies the unofficial end of Summer (officially marked by shadows of the Fall Equinox). We spent 6 hours walking around the Fairgrounds last […]
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It’s Fall in Minnesota and it feels like it. I can hear the rain pinging against the windows. Something special tonight — it’s the Harvest Moon as well as the Equinox. Mom and Liz reminded me that the autumnal equinox – the beginning of Fall – comes at 11:09 p.m. ET, and for the first time in 19 years, it comes on the same night as a Full Moon, the Harvest Moon.
Makes me want to break out the Neil Young albums. 8) I wish it wasn’t cloudy. I’d go out and check out the unusually bright star near tonight’s Full Moon — the planet Jupiter. It’s at “opposition,” coming closer to the earth than at any time since 1963. I did snap a few photos earlier this week of the Moon right before Full. Maybe I’ll post them later in the week.
It was fun to reread this post. My brother Louis loves Annie Dillard and we once sat down to talk about her books. I’ve been thinking about him a lot this week; he’s gone back into the hospital the last few days. So it is especially good to read the last quote from Annie:
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