Today is the autumnal equinox — the first day of fall. Though it feels like Mother Nature jumped the gun this year; the crisp autumn chill is already setting in and some leaves are beginning to change colors. Soon, the treetops will look ablaze with fiery reds, oranges and yellows and the morning frosts will herald the coming of winter.
There will be much to discuss this week and in the coming weeks. We are in a period of transition — on so many levels and in so many ways — so we’d like to take a moment to reflect on what the autumnal equinox can teach us about the days to come.
The equinoxes represent a transition or a reset. The vernal equinox marks the start of spring — the transition of winter into summer — and the autumnal equinox marks the start of fall — the transition of summer into winter. But each of these changeovers is marked by a day of perfect balance, when day and night are equal, before we tip toward the long days of summer or the long nights of winter. But we must always come back to the day of balance — a reset — before the cycle can begin again.
The equinox is a reminder that the universe tends toward balance. In science, we call it Newton’s third law: For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. In religion or philosophy, we call it karma: What we give is what we will receive — the cyclical nature of “what comes around, goes around.” It’s an expression of cause and effect, but also of equilibrium.
Where there is dark, there is light.
Where there is hate, there is love.
Where there is despair, there is joy.
Where there is apathy, there is passion.
Where there is aggression, there is patience.
Where there is intolerance, there is understanding.
Where there is death, there is life.
The vernal equinox was on March 19 this year, right around the time the coronavirus pandemic hit America full force. We’d like to believe the autumnal equinox heralds the end of the chaos, but we know we still have a ways to go before we’re clear of COVID. The universe eventually rights itself, but, by our actions, we can help or hinder that restoration.
It takes the dark, cold days of winter to make us appreciate the light and warmth of summer. It takes the decadent death of fall to appreciate the verdant rebirth of spring. It takes the trials and tribulations of today to make us appreciate the blessings of yesterday and to remind us not to take for granted the blessings of tomorrow.
The equinox is a day of perfect balance, but it is also a tipping point. Or a reset — the chance for a new beginning. What we choose to put into the universe now, the universe will give back to us. Choose love. Choose joy and passion and patience. Because even as the impending winter brings darkness, we can choose to bring light.
