13 Recipes to Ring in the Autumn Solstice (2024)

FAQs

What is the name given to the first day of fall? ›

The autumnal equinox, usually occurring on September 22 or 23, means fall is officially here. The autumnal equinox is one of only two days—the other is the spring, or vernal, equinox—when the Sun is directly above the Equator, ostensibly dividing night and day into equal portions.

The autumnal equinox (also called the fall equinox) is one of the two equinoxes—the times of the year when the amount of daylight and nighttime hours are just about of equal length. The two equinoxes occur around March 20–21 and September 22–23.

The autumnal equinox typically occurs on September 22 or 23 in the Northern Hemisphere and on March 20 or 21 in the Southern Hemisphere. The autumnal equinox marks the end of summer and the beginning of fall.

Meteorologists group the seasons into time periods that line up with the weather and monthly calendar: December through February is winter, March through May is spring, June through August is summer, and September through November is fall.

By the 17th century, the terms “autumn” and “fall” became popular vernacular. “Autumn” is derived from the Latin word “autumnus,” meaning “passing of the year.” While “fall” refers to the falling of leaves. “Fall” is the popular term in America, while “autumn” remains the common phrase in Britain.

Autumn and fall are used interchangeably as words for the season between summer and winter. Both are used in American and British English, but fall occurs more often in American English. Autumn is considered the more formal name for the season.

Banbha, the Celtic goddess and Earth Mother

Amidst the fall equinox celebrations, the Irish deity Banbha reigns supreme. As an Earth Mother, she presides over the culmination of the bountiful harvest.

Common Practices

Often believers will dress and eat lavishly to celebrate the bounty of life. Believers will also perform a ritual. Believers create a sacred space outdoors, with leaders walking around an area and chanting while sprinkling the area with water and salt, which are believed to be spiritually cleansing.

Both equinoxes and solstices only happen twice a year — the first days of fall and spring are equinoxes, while the first days of summer and winter are solstices.

By the meteorological calendar, the first day of autumn is always 1 September; ending on 30 November.

What month is fall 2024 in usa? ›

Which Months Are Fall 2024? The Northern Hemisphere will experience fall from Saturday, September 23, 2024, to Friday, December 22, 2024.

In fall, the growing cycle gives us ripeness and maturity. The harvest is associated with abundance, prosperity and wealth. Humans too experience an “autumn”. If spring represents new birth and childhood, and summer symbolizes youth, autumn represents adulthood and maturity.

The arrival of autumn brings with it shorter days, lowering temperatures and the rain. The factor that perhaps most affects the state of our body is the progressive reduction of the hours of light, a change that impacts our mood, making us more subject to mild states of anxiety and melancholy.

The Psychology of Autumn is that of unavoidable change, self-care, and preparations for the winter season. But wait! Fall weather is not only extremely pleasant, but an ideal time to be getting outdoors to absorb sunlight and to boost your vitamin D levels.

The autumnal equinox occurs in September each year, and in the northern hemisphere the date marks the end of summer and beginning of autumn.

Autumn and fall are used interchangeably as words for the season that comes between summer and winter. They are each used in American and British English, but fall occurs more often in American English. Autumn is widely considered the more formal name for the season.

Astronomical seasons depend on how the Earth moves around the sun. Equinoxes, when the sun lands equally on both hemispheres, mark the start of spring and autumn. Solstices, when the Earth sees its strongest tilt toward or away from the sun, kick off summer and winter.

Calendar seasons

In the northern hemisphere spring begins on the spring equinox (around March 20), summer begins on the summer solstice (around June 21), autumn begins on the autumn equinox (around September 22) and winter on the winter solstice (around December 21).