It is the vernal equinox for all my readers in the northern hemisphere (both of you?) and the autumnal equinox in the southern hemisphere (anyone following FmH from south of the equator?). The earth’s axis is perpendicular to its orbital plane and the north and south poles are equal distances from the sun today, so that day and night are of equal length (equi-nox) It is the pagan festival of Ostara in the north and, if there are pagans south of the equator, Mabon, observances which reflect the sense of balance inherent in this astronomical event.
…In the book Eight Sabbats for Witches by Janet and Stewart Farrar, the festival Ostara is characterized by the rejoining of the Mother Goddess and her lover-consort-son, who spent the winter months in death. Other variations include the young God regaining strength in his youth after being born at Yule, and the Goddess returning to her Maiden aspect.” (Wikipedia )
This year, we have the added exact coincidence of the full moon with the equinox. The sun and moon are, symmetrically, opposite each other, the axis of the earth and the solar-lunar axis orthogonal, and thus the coincidence with Easter, which the early Church grafted onto the pagan equinoctal observance (while removing the nod to the Goddess). Easter, and the equinox, of course, celebrate rebirth and the promise of renewal as well as balance. These are embodied in the symbol of the egg, smooth, round and full of potential ready to burst forth. Rumor has it that on the equinox you can balance an egg, pointy side up. Do it at midnight, when the moon is as close to overhead as it will get at your latitude and the tidal forces are balanced.
And with sadness, at this change of the seasons, I have to note the passing of the man for all seasons. R.I.P. Paul Scofield.
