Well, it’s the time of year that the sun shines directly on the equator, from north to south, meaning that the day and night are equal lengths. 

The word “equinox” comes from Latin and means “equal night,” referring to the roughly 12-hour day and night that occurs only on the two equinox days of the year.

In the northern hemisphere it marks the beginning of autumn/fall. But in the southern hemisphere it’s called the Vernal (spring) equinox.

The equinox happens around the 20 – 23 September very year. This year it’s on 23nd September. 

It’s also only on the spring and autumn equinoxes that the sun rises due east and sets due west!

Different cultures

Just as different cultures celebrate the summer and winter solstice, the spring and autumn/fall equinox is also celebrated.

Cultures across the world celebrate the September equinox in different ways and it’s linked to ancient myth and superstition and harvest festivals.

The traditional harvest festival in the UK is celebrated on the Sunday of the full moon closest to the September equinox.

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China

In China the Moon festival is celebrated around the time of the Autumn equinox. It celebrates the summers harvest and one of the main foods is mooncakes filled with lotus, sesame seeds, a duck egg or dried fruit. It is traditional in China to give them away to family and friends. 

Higan, or Higan-e, is a week of Buddhist services observed in Japan during both the September and March equinoxes. Higan means the “other shore” and refers to the spirits of the dead reaching Nirvana. It is a time to remember the dead by visiting, cleaning and decorating their graves.

Mabon Pagan/Wiccan tradition 

At the time of the autumn equinox the harvest is finishing. Mabon is the mid-harvest festival, and it is when they take a time to honour the changing seasons and celebrate the second harvest. It is a time of giving thanks, and of gratitude and of sharing with others less fortunate.

The equinox is celebrated with foods that honour the hearth and harvest, breads and grains, autumn veggies like squash and onions, fruits, and wine.

So for this Equinox we’d like to offer you a great autumnal menu that you can share with family and friends to give thanks.

125g/4oz blue cheese, crumbled
600g/1 butternut squash, peeled and cut into small cubes
125ml/4oz marsala wine
250ml/9 fl oz double cream
½ tsp ground nutmeg
4 tbsp olive oil
100g/1 onion, roughly chopped
1 tbsp toasted pinenuts
Salt and pepper to taste
500g/1lb 2oz sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into cubes
1.5 litres/2 pints 13fl oz of vegetable stock (20g/2 x stock cubes)

Packed with goodness for your eyes, blood, skin, brain and immune system, this soup recipe is for four but with a big meal like this, it will be plenty enough for 6. Click for the method and to see the full nutrition here.

1.5g/¼ tsp allspice
1g/2 bay leaves
70g/1 medium carrot, peeled and finely chopped
3g/½ tsp crushed celery seed
200ml organic cider
1.5g/¼ tsp ground cloves
12g/2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
50g/1 egg
25ml milk
200g/2 medium onions, chopped
300g/2 medium potatoes, peeled and chopped
600g minced pork
Salt and pepper to taste
500g/1 packet shortcrust pastry
100ml water

Although this Canadian pie can be served at New Year it makes a great meal for a harvest feast. It’s great for energy and boosting your immune system. Click for the method and to see the full nutrition here.

600g/6 large bramley apples, finely sliced
100g soft brown sugar
200g/4 eggs
140g raisins
200g self-raising flour
200g unsalted butter

This traditional British pudding which brings goodness for your eyes, heart and immune system, has apples encased in a delicious sponge. Serve with lashings of custard. Click for the method and to see the full nutrition here.

Of course no meal would be complete without a drink, so how about some fantastic fresh apple juice, a delicious cider or red wine. Click to see their fantastic nutritional value.

And Enjoy!