Hello Spring!

Today, March 20, 2011, at precisely 7:20:45 P.M. EDT (March 20, 23:20:45 Universal Time), the Sun will cross directly over the Earth’s equator. This moment is known as the Vernal Equinox in the Northern Hemisphere. For the Southern Hemisphere, this is the moment of the autumnal equinox.

Equinox  means “equal night.” Because the Sun is positioned above the equator, day and night are about equal in length all over the world during the equinoxes. This is when we say goodbye to old man Winter … and welcome the Spring.

Modern astronomy aside, people have recognized the vernal equinox for thousands of years. There is no shortage of rituals and traditions surrounding the coming of spring. Many celebrated for the basic reason that their food supplies would soon be restored. The date is significant in Christianity because Easter always falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon after the vernal equinox. It is also probably no coincidence that early Egyptians built the Great Sphinx so that it points directly toward the rising Sun on the day of the vernal equinox.

The first day of spring also marks the beginning of Norooz, the Persian New Year. The celebration lasts 13 days and is rooted in the 3,000-year-old tradition of Zoroastrianism. For those that celebrate Norooz, happy Norooz to you all, and may this New Year bring newly found prosperity, happiness, and delight in your lives.

Tags: Celebrations

Category: Lifestyle