Autumnal equinox in different cultures: Slavic and Mexican traditions

Autumn equinox - the day when the Sun passes through the intersection of the ecliptic and the celestial equator, moves from the Northern Hemisphere to the Southern hemisphere . Autumn equinox of 2012 and 2013 - September 22nd. On this day, the Sun passes from the sign of the Virgin to the sign of Libra, and the duration of the day is equal to the duration of the night. This day is considered sacred among the peoples of the whole world, every tradition has its own beliefs and ceremonies of celebration.

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

The agricultural season ends, people harvest, the leaves in the trees turn red like the setting sun, which you have to watch every day before. The dawns and rains are getting colder, the dank wind reminds us of the approaching fierce winter. The Slavs observed the change of nature, and the advent of the astronomical autumn was reflected in their culture.

The year for the eastern Slavs began in March, so the autumnal equinox coincided with the beginning of the seventh month - the time of the god Veles. Celebrations dedicated to the deity lasted two weeks. Honey surya was an integral and intoxicating component of the celebration. On the festive table there were always pies with cabbage, meat and cowberry.

A special magical power, according to the ancient Slavs, was mountain ash. In the autumnal equinox, her hands were laid between the window frames. It was believed that mountain ash retains solar energy and protects the house from dark forces during the year when the Sun can not do it.

In the times of Kievan Rus there was another tradition. Farmers symbolically offered honors to the goddess Zhiva for generously endowed rich sprouts. According to the beliefs of the inhabitants of Kievan Rus, the goddess was in winter in the heavenly kingdom - Svarga, and on the day of the vernal equinox returned to earth to give her earthly fans a new crop.

Autumnal equinox - Great Fekly feast - zarevnitsy. On this day, dry grass was burned in the fields, and according to the beliefs, the color of the fire in the fields was the sarafan of Feqla, and her hair was thatched with fire strands.

Inhabitants of Mexico traditionally visit this day the pyramid Kukulkan ("Feathered Serpent"). At the top of this pyramid is a temple, and on each side of the pyramid - north, east, west and south - is a staircase in 91 steps. If you count the steps from all sides of the pyramid and add the top platform to them, you get a number corresponding to the number of days in the year - 365.

In the spring and autumn equinox, the sun's rays fall on the main staircase, forming a shadow of an amazing shape: alternating 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 action lasts 3 h. 22 min., And those who were lucky enough to make a wish, standing at the top of the pyramid at that time, according to the beliefs, will necessarily get what they want.

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