Autumn equinox in different cultures: Slavic and Mexican traditions

Осеннее равноденствие – день, когда Солнце passes through the intersection of the ecliptic and the celestial equator, moves from the Northern hemisphere to the Southern. Autumn Equinox 2012 and 2013 - September 22nd. On this day, the Sun goes from Virgo to Libra, and the length of the day is equal to the length of the night. This day is considered sacred by the peoples of the whole world, each tradition has its own beliefs and ceremonies of celebration.

After the autumnal equinox in the day becomesfewer sunny hours, the duration of night time increases until the winter solstice, when the duration of the night reaches its maximum.

The agricultural season ends, peopleharvest, the leaves on the trees become red, like the sunset sky, which has to be observed every day earlier. Dawns and rains are getting colder, the dank wind reminds of the approach of a fierce winter. Slavs watched the change of nature, and the onset of astronomical autumn was reflected in their culture.

Год у восточных славян начинался в марте, поэтому The day of the autumn equinox coincided with the beginning of the seventh month - the time of the god Veles. The festivities dedicated to the deity lasted two weeks. Honey surya was an integral intoxicating component of the celebration. There were always pies with cabbage, meat and lingonberries on the holiday table.

According to the ancientSlavs possessed mountain ash. In the autumn equinox, her hands were laid between window frames. It was believed that mountain ash keeps the solar energy in itself and protects the house from dark forces during the period of the year when the Sun cannot do this.

At the time of Kievan Rus, there was anothertradition. The farmers symbolically offered honors to the goddess Givet for generously bestowed rich shoots. According to the beliefs of the inhabitants of Kievan Rus, the winter goddess was in the heavenly kingdom, Svarga, and on the day of the vernal equinox she returned to earth to give her earthly admirers a new crop.

Autumnal Equinox - Thekla's Great Feast -zarevnitsy. On this day, dry grass was burned in the fields, and, according to superstitions, the color of the fire in the fields was Thekla's sundress, and her hair was straw with fiery strands.

Mexicans traditionally attend this daythe pyramid of Kukulkan ("The Feathered Serpent"). At the top of this pyramid is a temple, and on each side of the pyramid - the northern, eastern, western and southern - there is a staircase in 91 steps. If we count the steps from all sides of the pyramid and add the upper platform to them, we get a number corresponding to the number of days in a year - 365.

In the spring and autumn equinox the sun's raysfall on the main staircase, forming a shadow of amazing shape: the alternation of light and dark triangles creates an optical illusion of the feathered serpent, which becomes more distinct as the sun approaches the horizon line. This truly fantastic event lasts 3 hours and 22 minutes, and those who are fortunate enough to make a wish while standing at the top of the pyramid, according to legends, will definitely get what they want.

Rituals dedicated to the autumnal equinox, differ in different cultures, but, despite these differences, people in all parts of the world on this day are united in celebration of the meeting of astronomical autumn.