Autumnal Equinox

It's the first day of Fall, the sun crossed the Autumnal Equinox at 9:51 this morning. The word "Equinox" comes from "æquinoctium" a Latin word that means "equal night" because both the day and night are 12 hours long. The equinox, which occurs twice a year (Fall and Spring), has significance in many religions.

Other names for the Autumnal Equinox are the First Day of Autumn, Alban Elfed, Autumn Equinox, Cornucopia, Feast of Avilan, Feast of Dionysus, Harvest Home, Harvest Tide, Mabon, Night of the Hunter, Second Harvest Festival, Wine Harvest, and Witch's Thanksgiving (http://www.religioustolerance.org/fall_equinox.htm).

All these name and the way the day is celebrated requires a bit more research. There has got to be some interesting myths behind the celebration of the Autunmnal Equinox. I have no doubt that some of those myths can lead to some interesting poems and short stories. I also have to remember when writing science fiction that all cultures have their seasonal celebrations and to put some sort of celebration into the story or novel. This could lead to some very interesting plots.