The Autumnal Equinox is one of two days in the calendar year when day and night hours are almost equal to one another; it is also the first day of Autumn, or Fall (September 23-24), in the Gregorgian calendar.

The Origin of Equinox Celebrations

The annual seasons happen because of two things: 1) a 23.5° tilt of the earth's axis, which makes the earth rotate like a gyroscope, so it points continuously in a fixed direction-toward the area of space near the North Star; and 2) the earth continuously revolves around the sun in an elliptical orbit-once every 365.25 of our solar days. As a result, for half of the year the Southern Hemisphere is more exposed to the sun than the Northern Hemisphere, and for the other half of the year the reverse is true. At noontime in the Northern Hemisphere the sun appears highest in the sky during summer and lowest in the sky during winter. The Autumnal Equinox is almost exactly half-way between the winter and summer solstices, and in the sky the sun appears about midway between its highest and lowest points. It is one of the two times during the year when day and night are almost exactly 12 hours long, and very close to being equal to each other. The other day is the Spring, or Vernal, Equinox, which usually falls on or near the first day of Spring (March 20-21) in the Gregorgian calendar.

Whereas the first day of Spring is treated as a time of birth and rebirth, the first day of Autumn is the time when things begin to shed, and the growth which was young in the springtime has now reached maturity. Animals begin preparing for winter, tree leaves turn colors, and the air takes on a chill. Most cultures consider this a time for harvesting crops and taking stock of life's fragility. It is also a time when people begin noticing the waning hours of daylight in anticipation for the Winter Solstice. Since this time of year is one of the most temperate, it is also considered a good time for reflection on the meaning of life.

In every culture the Autumnal Equinox signals the return of weather that favors slowing down, introspection, and conservation. Many cultures celebrate the harvest as a means to defeat the starvation brought on by winter. It is also a time closely associated with the dead. Although we know that the dead do not return to life nor do they walk around on the earth at this time of the year, it is a good time for us to remember, or memorialize, freethinkers who are no longer with us. For freethinkers the Autumnal Equinox is a great time to celebrate the lives of those who contributed to the freethought movement, be they atheist, agnostic, humanist, or rationalist. It is also a perfect day to contemplate your own thoughts on the meaning of life and share them with fellow freethinkers.

Many freethought holidays, such as Banned Books Week, Freethought Month, Freethinker Coming Out Day, and Church/State Separation Week, follow this Equinox.

Ways to Celebrate the Autumnal Equinox

Hold a Harvest Potluck Dinner: Since this time of year is usually much cooler than the solstice, try holding a potluck dinner instead of a picnic. Food can be inspired by harvest crops and include vegetables and grains, fruits and berries. Hot foods such as soups, casseroles, baked or roasted meats and vegetarian meals are great dishes to bring to such celebrations, or ethnic foods such as Chinese, Indian, Thai and Italian are great ties into the Equinox/harvest theme. Refreshments such as sparkling fruit drinks, water and wine are best to celebrate the turning of the seasons.

Hold a Freethinkers Memorial: Remember those in the freethought movement who have died in the past year with stories, discussion, and a celebratory toast to their accomplishments. For freethinkers past, bake a cake and choose 10 famous freethinkers no longer living. For each freethinker add a candle to the cake, and have the group blow out the candles and then eat the cake in memorial. Or, go to the grave of a famous freethinker in your area and place a wreath there in memory of their deeds. Another way to remember is find out the name of a freethinker born on the equinox and celebrate their life and work.

Have a Meaning of Life Party: Hold a party with cake, food, and refreshments. Each person should go around the room and propose a toast on what s/he considers the meaning of life. Rent the freethought movie favorite, Monty Python's The Meaning of Life, and enjoy the evening.

Dispelling Astronomy Myths: Standing an Egg on End at the Equinox (Here is an experiment the whole family can try on and after the equinox!)

Comment on "The Fall" of Adam and Eve: This time of year is the perfect time for freethinkers to gather together and discuss, critique, and comment upon perhaps the most famous-and infamous-biblical story. What better time to "Fall into The Fall" than the one with the most humorous connotations? Topics can include the nature of the Genesis deity, human nature and the "forbidden fruit" syndrome, the repercussions of the story on women, and which character was the more evil-god or the snake?