Tomorrow, September 22^nd (at 1.43pm in Britain) the Autumn Equinox begins. Here’s a note from the British Meteorological Office followed by a Personal reflection

The Equinox in the Northern Hemisphere occurs twice a year around 20 March (the spring equinox) and around 22 September (the autumn equinox). They occur between the summer and winter solstices marking the point the Sun crosses the equator’s path and becomes positioned exactly above the equator between the Northern and Southern Hemisphere. During the equinox, day and night will be around the same length which is evident in the word’s origin derived from the Latin equi (meaning ‘equal’) and nox (meaning ‘night’).
The autumn equinox marks the start of autumn as the night becomes longer than the day.

(From the Met Office)

EQUINOX
The Sun poised over the equator
heralds the day of equal light; equal darkness.
Earth catches her breath in a moment of cosmic stillness,
bringing to mind the delicate balance of solar existence,
of which we are but a small part.
Seasons turn in an astronomical process  in which our human participation is not required.
We are the result of a divine plan, 
of an eternal equality over which we have no control.
This global moment is our reminder that in our vast, unfathomable universe
we are of little significance.
Yet, in the heart of our Creator God,
we are loved and held because of another Equinox,
not on the equator but on Calvary,
where darkness  became light and a new direction was shown to the world.
It is called The Sacrifice of God’s Love for us.
Together, with all on earth we are invited to embrace it.

[Mr G. amended 22^nd Sept 2024]