What Is The September Equinox

On the equinox, night and day are nearly the same length -- 12 hours -- all over the world. This is the reason it's called an "equinox", derived from Latin, meaning "equal night". However, there are more than 12 hours of daylight on this day of supposedly equal day and night due to the sun's shape as a disk, not a point of light, and the Earth's atmosphere refracting (bending) sunlight. There are an additional 8 or so minutes of daylight on the day of the equinox at mid-temperate latitudes.

It's Time For A New Season

The equinox also marks a new season for different parts of the world. For the Northern Hemisphere it marks the beginning of Autumn (Fall) and in the Southern Hemisphere it marks the beginning of Spring.

This sign of changing seasons is a good reminder to schedule some routine maintenance, from checking smoke detectors to prepping your self-storage facility for the upcoming climate change.

Northern Hemisphere

Those in the Northern Hemisphere can schedule gutter cleaning and upcoming leaf removal, while stocking up on ice melt before demand raises prices, testing the heating system and performing other activities to prep for the coming Autumn and Winter months.

Southern Hemisphere

Parts of the Southern Hemisphere are beginning to thaw, and it's a good idea to schedule a post-winter cleanup, like the removal of sand and gravel that may have been used for automotive traction during winter storms. Assessing lawn care contracts and testing a facility's Air Conditioning system before the summer heat arrives are other activities those in the Southern Hemispheres can start thinking about after the September Equinox.

September Equinox

Holidays & Customs

During the September Equinox, a number of cultures celebrate different traditions. From Greek mythology, where the goddess Persephone returns to the underworld to be with her husband, the Greeks enacted rituals for protection and security as well as reflect on successes or failures from the previous months. In China, they hold a Moon Festival celebrating the abundance of the summer's harvest and one of the main foods is the mooncake filled with lotus, sesame seeds, a duck egg or dried fruit. The September Equinox sparks many celebrations and signals changes to come. It's also a great time for reflection and preparation.

Are you planning to celebrate the September Equinox or use it as a reminder? Please share you thoughts on the September Equinox in the comments section below.

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