The wind blows with purpose now, rattling Summer’s unhinged gate.  Her desperation is palpable as she shuffles towards the seasonal door, gathering her belongings in haste.  Backwards glances are desolate.  Memories have withered and browned.  Summer’s only just realized that her departure is imminent as Fall sends forth its sentinels.  She is defeated and delusional.  Grace she no longer owns.

  A mere week from today, September 23rd, we welcome Autumn.  She is more than just a gateway to Winter.  Autumn’s an artful hand with a unique and brilliant palette, special only to her.   She is bountiful in spirit, colorful by nature, and benevolent in harvest.  She demands and deserves our respect.

  So what exactly is Autumn and when does it happen?  September 23rd marks the Autumnal Equinox, at precisely 4:21 AM.  This is when the sun appears to cross the celestial equator from north to south; however, the first full day of Autumn comes the day after.  Equinox refers to equal hours of daylight and darkness.  From here, we know the nights grow longer and the days shorter.  In addition to the beautiful foliage displays, Autumn also signals amazing light shows, like the Aurora Borealis.  Many religions, both past and present, celebrate the Autumnal Equinox, and only twice a year on the equinoxes does the sun rise and set due east and west.

“Autumn… the year’s last, loveliest smile.”

-William Cullen Bryant

Best wishes,

Kim Sweeney