The Day of Perfect Balance ⚖️🌞🌑 The Equinox

A long time ago, before calendars or clocks, there were special people with an important task. They were called Sun Watchers—the guardians of time. 🌞👀 Their job was to observe the sky, tracking the movement of the Sun, Moon, and stars. They watched the seasons change, guided their people on when to plant and harvest, and led great ceremonies to honor the balance of nature. In some cultures, they were priests, in others, wise elders, and in many places, they were astronomers—scientists of the sky. 🌍✨

By carefully observing the Sun, early civilizations discovered an important pattern: the Sun did not always rise and set in the same place. Over the course of many months, it shifted its path across the sky. In the middle of winter, the Sun rose from its lowest point and stayed low in the sky, casting long shadows and bringing colder days. But as time passed, people noticed a change—the Sun gradually climbed higher each day. The daylight grew longer, the nights became shorter, and the air warmed. This was a sign that spring was approaching in the Northern Hemisphere—a time of growth, blooming plants, and the return of animals. 🌱🦋 Meanwhile, in the Southern Hemisphere, the opposite was happening. The Sun sank lower in the sky, the days grew shorter, and the air turned cooler, as autumn signaled a time of preparation and rest for the land. 🍂❄️

Twice a year, something incredible happened—a day of perfect balance. The Sun rose exactly in the east and set exactly in the west. Day and night were nearly equal everywhere on Earth. This special day became known as the Equinox . Let's clap the syllables E-👏-qui-👏-nox, from Latin meaning "equal night". It was a moment of harmony between light and dark and warmth and cold. 🌗⚖️ Do you notice the weather? It is not too cold, nor too hot. The day is not too short, nor the night too long. The world is in perfect balance, just for one day! 🌍⚖️ It is not too bright, nor too dark. The world is in perfect balance, just for one day.

Ancient civilizations marked this special day with great care. The Maya of Central America built the pyramid of El Castillo at Chichén Itzá, where the shadow of a serpent slithered down the steps only on the equinox. Photo 2🐍🏛 The Maya believed that on the equinox, Kukulkán, the feathered serpent god, slithers down the pyramid, as if he is returning to Earth to bring warmth and new life. But in the autumn, something magical happens—his shadow moves up the pyramid steps, as if he is climbing back to the sky! 🌞🐍✨ In Persia, people celebrated Nowruz,👏Now-ruz👏 meaning “new day”. Known now as Persian or Iranian New Year. This ancient festival was marking the arrival of spring. Nowruz symbolized renewal and the triumph of light over darkness. Families would clean their homes in a ritual called house shaking , then set a special table called Haft-Seen meaning “Seven S’s” with seven symbolic items.

The seven items of the Haft-Seen table include:

• 🌱 sprouted wheat or lentils – for rebirth and renewal

• 🍯 sweet wheat pudding – for strength and prosperity

• 🍂 dried oleaster fruit known as Persian olive – for love and wisdom

• 🧄 garlic – for protection and health

• 🍏 apple – for beauty and good health

• 🌺 sumac berries – for the sunrise and the victory of good

• 🧴 vinegar – for patience and wisdom.

Did you noticed the the mirror 🪞 it is to reflect light , look at the goldfish 🐟 it is placed there for life, and the colored eggs are not for easter 🥚 tey represent fertility, 🪙 the coin symbolises prosperity and wealth , the book of wisdom 📖 represent knowledge and faith and the candles 🕯️ is for enlightenment. When people gather around the table they say , "Give me your warmth, take away my cold!" 🔥🌿

Even today, people around the world celebrate The Day of Perfect Balance also known as the Equinox. The cycle of light and dark, warmth and cold, continues just as it has for thousands of years. When you step outside today, take a moment to feel the balance in the air. 🌎✨

I wonder... at what time does the Sun rise and set today?
Could you track the sunrise and sunset each day for the next 7 days? 🌅🌄
Watch carefully—will the days grow a little longer? Will the Sun rise earlier or set a bit later? 📆🌞
Record your observations, and share with us your discoveries. 🌍✨

Possible Follow up Research Projects. 🏛✨

📜 Myths & Legends of the Equinox 🔥🌞🌗

• The Feathered Serpent – Maya & Aztec (Mexico) 🐍🏛

  The Maya believed that on the equinox, Kukulkán, the feathered serpent god, descended from the sky. At Chichén Itzá, his shadow appears on the steps of the pyramid, showing his return to Earth to bring blessings of renewal and growth.

• Persephone & the Underworld – Ancient Greece 🌿🌺🍇

  The Greeks told the story of Persephone, daughter of the harvest goddess Demeter. She was taken to the underworld by Hades, causing her mother to grieve, bringing winter. On the spring equinox, she was allowed to return to Earth, bringing warmth, flowers, and life. The autumn equinox marked the time when she had to go back, making the world grow cold again.

• The Battle of the Oak King & the Holly King – Celtic Europe 🌳⚔️❄️

  In old Celtic traditions, two mighty kings ruled the year. The Oak King reigned in the spring and summer, bringing light and warmth, while the Holly King ruled over autumn and winter, bringing darkness and cold. The equinox was the moment of their great battle, when power shifted between them.

• Amaterasu, the Sun Goddess – Japan 🌞⛩️🎎

  According to Shinto tradition, the goddess Amaterasu once hid in a cave, plunging the world into darkness. The gods tricked her into coming out, bringing back the balance of light. The equinox is still honored in Japan as a time to appreciate harmony in nature.

• Raven Steals the Sun – First Nations (Pacific Northwest, North America) 🦅🌞🔥

  In many Indigenous stories of the Tlingit, Haida, and other First Nations, the world was once in darkness until Raven, a clever and mischievous trickster, stole the Sun from a powerful chief and released it into the sky. His gift brought light to the world, allowing the cycle of day and night to begin.

🎉 Discover Equinox Traditions Around the World 🌎🌸

• Nowruz (Persian New Year) – Iran, Central Asia 🎊🌱🔥
  Families clean their homes (Khaneh Tekani – "house shaking"), set up a Haft-Seen table with symbolic items, and jump over fire for renewal.

• Holi – India & Nepal 🌈🔥🌿
  A festival of colors celebrating the victory of light over darkness. People throw bright powders, light bonfires, and welcome spring with joy and laughter.

• Ostara – Pagan Europe 🐣🌷🔆

  An ancient fertility festival honoring Eostre, the goddess of dawn. People decorated eggs (a symbol of rebirth) and lit fires to welcome the longer days.

• Shunbun no Hi – Japan 🌸🎎🌿

  A day of reflection and balance. People visit ancestors’ graves, admire blooming flowers, and enjoy the harmony of nature.

• First Nations Spring Ceremonies – North America 🦅🔥🌍

  Many Indigenous cultures in North America hold ceremonies, dances, and feasts to honor the renewal of life as animals return and plants begin to grow.

  
  

  🔭 Explore Ancient Monuments Aligned with the Sun 🏛✨

• Chichén Itzá, Mexico 🇲🇽🐍 – On the equinox, the pyramid of El Castillo creates a shadow of a serpent slithering down the steps. The Maya built it to honor Kukulkán, the feathered serpent god.

• Stonehenge, England 🇬🇧⭕ – A circle of giant stones carefully placed by ancient people. On the equinox, the Sun rises and sets in perfect alignment with the stones.

• Machu Picchu, Peru 🇵🇪⛰️ – The Intihuatana stone, also called the Hitching Post of the Sun, was carved by the Inca to track the Sun’s movement. On the equinox, it casts almost no shadow!

• Mnajdra Temples, Malta 🇲🇹🏺 – These 5,000-year-old temples were designed so that on the equinox, the Sun rises and shines exactly through the entrance, lighting up the inner chamber.

• Karnak Temple, Egypt 🇪🇬☀️ – In ancient Thebes, the Karnak Temple was built with a massive avenue of statues leading to the rising Sun on special days like the equinox!

With Montessori joy,

Vanina 😊