Wednesday, September 22, 2011— October’s fullest moon (“Hunter’s”) will rise on the 20th.
The weather is changing, daylights becoming shorter. We “moon chasers” were aware while preparing to chase the rise of September’s Harvest Moon. The designated day had been hot enough for t-shirts, but that early evening we took jackets and sweaters. Plus, we left earlier than usual to be in place to witness the full moon’s rise.
Today is the autumnal (fall) equinox, which lasts moments but represents an actual weather shift to winter of 2021. This usually occurs on September 22 or 23 and is a brief moment in time, during which the sun appears directly over the Earth’s equator before crossing into the Southern Hemisphere. At that moment across the globe, there are equal periods of daytime and nighttime.
Technically at this equinox, the Earth’s orbit is at a point where neither hemisphere tilts away from, or toward, the sun. That makes day and night nearly equal, and over most of the globe will be 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness.
To me, it’s significant that we’re about to enter the “dark season”. As our days become shorter so must our habits, and certainly mine. Folks who like me have equines will decide whether to shoe again or leave horses barefoot (shoes are negatives in snow). We will prepare for altering equine exercise routines through the months ahead with short light and much cold.
Already, my animals show signs of transiting to winter coats. Already, in mornings I am in a heavy jacket while out feeding them. Already, I’m thinking about having to cope with arriving cold weather in unusual patterns.
Dear Friends: Earth weather is less predictable, while solar activities are dependable. Diana
Diana's Morning Blog 