Vernal Equnox

Spring is sprung
The grass is riz
I wonder where the flowers is?


March 20, 2008, is a date that most of us recognize as symbolic of changing seasons. As we welcome spring, people south of the equator are actually gearing up for the cooler temperatures of autumn.

What Happens at the Equinox?

Far from being an arbitrary indicator of the changing seasons, March 20 (March 21 in some years) is significant for astronomical reasons. On March 20, 2008, at precisely 1:48 A.M. EDT (March 20, 05:48 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"

Translated literally, 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. A second equinox occurs each year on September 22 or 23; in 2008, it will be on September 22 at 11:44 A.M. EDT (15:44 UT). This date will mark the autumnal equinox in the Northern Hemisphere and the vernal equinox in the Southern (vernal denotes "spring").

In this most happy event. Good-bye Winter, Hello Spring. Grass you have permission to turn green, Crocus may stick their heads up to welcome the lengthening of days and Birds may return. Wicca may go out and celebrate. I grant it, devoutly wish for it and mark the passing of Winter on my Blog. THINK SPRING! ARTYAL - Hugs, j-bear

Addendum:
I got this from Marty Jacobs. It seems appropriate to add to this post:




Hello all: I am sure all of you know about the Saint Patrick’s Day, but probably fewer people know about ”Nowruz.” That is why I am sending out this e-mail intending to have a brief cultural exchange with my colleagues in DNR. The word “Nowruz” is a compound of two Persian words, “now” which has the same etymology as the English word “new” and means new, and the word “ruz” which means both “day” and “time.” Literally meaning the “new day,” “Nowruz” is usually translated as “new year.” In harmony with the rebirth of nature, the Persian New Year always begins on the first day of spring.



The Nowruz celebration has been observed in Persia for more than 3000 years! It is neither religious nor national in nature, nor is it an ethnic celebration. Jewish, Zoroastrian, Armenian, Kurds and Turkish Iranians and Central Asians celebrate the Nowruz with the same enthusiasm and sense of belonging. The New Persian Year which starts today is 1387. The astrological calendar is based on a 12-year cycle, each year of which takes its characteristics from one animal such as mouse, snake, etc.

Nowruz is a celebration that reaffirms our ties to nature and humankind. In fact, all of Nowruz is a time for renewing our bonds with the people with whom we live and the planet on which we thrive. It is a reminder that we always must co-exist with the environment and not to exploit it! Nowruz speaks of the past remembered, the future hoped for, and the present recognized as the foundation of hope.