Old wives' tales
Twice a year, the Earth’s axis is angled neither towards nor away from the Sun and our world receives equal amount of daylight and darkness. Derived from the ...
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Twice a year, the Earth’s axis is angled neither towards nor away from the Sun and our world receives equal amount of daylight and darkness. Derived from the Latin for "equal night", Equinox occurs around the 20th-21st March and 21st-22nd September. Today, we, Northern Hemisphere dwellers welcome the vernal Equinox, a date that heralds a much longed for spring and lightens the hearts of the romantic. Still, romantic visions tell only half the tale: other than rebirth, rejuvenation and longer days, intense rainfalls, floods and the odd snow shower are also concealed in spring's definition. Cynical views aside, there is additional significance attached to this very day which many cultures around the world have honoured since the dawn of time.
Were you astride the equator today, you would see the Sun pass directly overhead, rising and setting exactly from East and West. With our planet’s axis perpendicular to the illuminating sun-rays, day and night duration are (approximately) equal throughout the earthly surface. However, the aforementioned belief that spring begins today is rather traditional: there aren’t any set scientific standards to signify the beginning of season, certainly –pardon my humour- not for those who study climate. Having mentioned tradition, thousands of Druids, pagans and revellers will gather amongst Stonehenge’s standing stones at dawn, on the same day, every year, in order to mark the occasion with celebrations and fertility rites. The symbolic spring rebirth was also important to other ancient civilisations, notably the Mayans who celebrated it at the Chichen-itza pyramid in the Yucatan (modern day Mexico) by sacrificing animals -and occasionally people- to the gods.
There is an anecdotal account often alluded to when discussing creativity. The story goes that shortly after discovering America, Christopher Columbus was challenged one night to make an egg stand upright. After all attempts by the rest of the challengers had failed, he calmly tapped the egg, flattened its tip and claimed victory. The story is as credible as a much later hypothesis by which it is possible to balance an egg on the vernal Equinox. Of course, the story turns out to be an insult to creativity and the egg-balance hypothesis another old wives’ tale: with a bit of luck and lorryload of perseverance one can balance an egg on any day in the year. I am not sure when I will be next free to venture outdoors and take a photo, as work is currently claiming both my body and spirit, but I might have some friends around and try to balance an egg... at the risk of getting boiled and dyed for heresy, I say there is more to life than science.
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Were you astride the equator today, you would see the Sun pass directly overhead, rising and setting exactly from East and West. With our planet’s axis perpendicular to the illuminating sun-rays, day and night duration are (approximately) equal throughout the earthly surface. However, the aforementioned belief that spring begins today is rather traditional: there aren’t any set scientific standards to signify the beginning of season, certainly –pardon my humour- not for those who study climate. Having mentioned tradition, thousands of Druids, pagans and revellers will gather amongst Stonehenge’s standing stones at dawn, on the same day, every year, in order to mark the occasion with celebrations and fertility rites. The symbolic spring rebirth was also important to other ancient civilisations, notably the Mayans who celebrated it at the Chichen-itza pyramid in the Yucatan (modern day Mexico) by sacrificing animals -and occasionally people- to the gods.
There is an anecdotal account often alluded to when discussing creativity. The story goes that shortly after discovering America, Christopher Columbus was challenged one night to make an egg stand upright. After all attempts by the rest of the challengers had failed, he calmly tapped the egg, flattened its tip and claimed victory. The story is as credible as a much later hypothesis by which it is possible to balance an egg on the vernal Equinox. Of course, the story turns out to be an insult to creativity and the egg-balance hypothesis another old wives’ tale: with a bit of luck and lorryload of perseverance one can balance an egg on any day in the year. I am not sure when I will be next free to venture outdoors and take a photo, as work is currently claiming both my body and spirit, but I might have some friends around and try to balance an egg... at the risk of getting boiled and dyed for heresy, I say there is more to life than science.
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KristinaOers
March 21, 2018
Nice picture and amazing caption, as usual :-) Very interesting, I do hope you will not be dyed and boiled though, nor sacrificed to the old mayan gods :-) I just watched the descent of Kukulkan. Amazing calculations to have that result twice every year... Thanks for hooking me on the subject :-)
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MicktheGreek
March 21, 2018
Thank you, Kristina, I am glad you enjoyed the reading... if there is something I would prompt you to read up on is "The Battle of the beanfield", that took place on the 1st of July in 1985, by Stonehenge, a site that has been traditionally used for Equinox and Solstice celebrations. It was something that started out as a joke and almost ended in tragedy, a disgraceful incident, a clash of a huge crowd of new-age travellers and the Police. It resulted in about 600 arrests of the former, smashed faces, chaotic scenes and lawsuits that dragged on for years. You might have heard of it, but it is worth reading. You see, there will always be instances that make an arse of a great country, here in England.
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JePePhoto
March 21, 2018
Happy equinox day and what a wonderful picture and caption. Just to add to the list of celebration on this day is the Persian new year (Zorostrian). Locking forward to your next posting.
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MicktheGreek
March 21, 2018
Thank you Eugenia, this is very kind of you. This is the first time in donkeys years that spring is simply not only "not in the air", but "not even close". We are almost in April and the weather resembles that of January, with snow and sleet expected during the Easter weekend. I can only hope this photo will put a smile on the faces of many sullen people who are really under the weather right now. I hope the aura of Zoroaster imparts happiness to the people of Persia. Our Gods have abandoned us. We are on our own here.
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snowdon
March 22, 2018
Great photo and accompanying writings.. I shall keep my mind open as regards balancing an egg .. I had never contemplated trying... :-)
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MicktheGreek
March 22, 2018
Thanks David! I am having second thoughts actually. I might save the eggs. I am visiting Westminster next week.
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MicktheGreek
March 22, 2018
Thank you Ana, how are you doing? How is the weather in Span? Hopefully not the same shit as here...
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marilenavaccarini
March 23, 2018
Great capture and wonderful captivating interesting writing, perfect to draw a smile in this crazy cold Spring. Wishing you a sunny day :)
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MicktheGreek
March 23, 2018
Thank you Marilena. The pale and downtrodden hail the cuckoo's call, but can't find its nest because it is covered in snow. You see, our ethereal dreams last as long as our New Year's resolutions in these lands. I hope you are well.
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MicktheGreek
March 24, 2018
Perfect capture in a deceptively nice weather break. The best is yet to come, Anne. The beast from the east is around for Easter. Thank You!
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Alisajidzaidi
March 25, 2018
Superb take and atmosphere with a tree in Autumn and a beautiful colorful Sunset.
Also your photo gallery is fantastic and Marvelous
Also your photo gallery is fantastic and Marvelous
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sue-zon
March 25, 2018
Thanks for the phenomenal image and the wealth of information, Michael . . . both are much appreciated. ッ
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MicktheGreek
March 25, 2018
Thank you Sue! You will be sad to know that the very tree illustrated here might have a few inches of snow at its foot at Easter and the sping vibrancy give way to the most dull of colours: white. But we will keep hoping!
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petercundill
March 31, 2018
Wonderful capture Mick, love the Rays. This has cheered me up no end! Great story as usual, bring on the summer and skip the spring! :))
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MicktheGreek
April 11, 2018
Thanks, Deanne! It was nice to behold a field that looks like a field and not like marsh for a change!
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enriquekapie
July 21, 2018
This photo is soooo well done and you can see that you get so many comments, well done mick. The composition is also great!!
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Bazz
November 08, 2018
Congratulations Mick on winning the Community Choice Award for November, 2018! Well deserved!
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