Happy Autumn Equinox

Today is the official change of season from summer to Autumn - the Autumn Equinox. Apparently, according to the local weather on the radio, we are going to have single figures tonight with the temperature around here dropping to 7 degrees. It didn't seem particularly autumnal today, reaching a pleasant 16 degrees as I dropped Big Girl off at the stables after school. 

Off course, if we were still living in New Zealand it would be the Spring Equinox (also known as the vernal equinox), heralding the start of Spring in the Southern Hemisphere. I can't say I miss the weather being the wrong way around - it always seemed strange having a baking hot Christmas Day!

The word 'Equinox' comes from the Latin 'equi' meaning 'equal' and 'nox' meaning 'night'. The equal part refers to the fact that the amount of daylight on this day almost equals the amount of darkness. 

It's the beginning of longer nights and shorter days, leading us into winter. Some people I know see this as a bad thing but I welcome it. Snuggling up in a homemade crochet blanket, fire on, scented candle burning, reading a good book. What's not to like? Okay, I guess if you are seasonal affective disorder sufferer its not good. But it could be worse - the planet Uranus is tipped on its axis nearly 90 degrees, which means that winters there last 42 years!

Take care

Xxxx