Today, September 22, is the autumn equinox in the Northern Hemisphere. It’s officially, and finally, fall! I love the summer weather for the growing season and how full and gorgeous my plants and garden get but, honestly, heat and humidity are not my favorite things. Bring on the cardigans, colorful fall leaves, and crisp morning air.

The autumnal equinox is the astronomical event that signals fall is here. The Sun shines directly on the equator, and northern and southern hemispheres receive equal amounts of the Sun’s rays. The day and night are roughly equal in time today. Equinox is Latin meaning “equal night,” deriving from aequus meaning equal, and nox meaning night.

Just as fall begins in the Northern Hemisphere, spring begins in the Southern Hemisphere. For us northerners, days become shorter than nights. The Sun will rise later and dusk sets in earlier. I find it so cozy.

Autumn Equinox Fun Fact!

Did you know the closest full moon to the autumn equinox is always referred to as the Harvest Moon? The Harvest Moon for 2022 happened September 10. Did you happen to see it? What a beauty! The explanation for that particular full moon’s name goes back to pre-Industrial Revolution days, during the Agricultural Revolution. That particular full moon always rises around sunset, allowing farmers extra light to finish harvesting before frost (fall) arrives. And, so it was named.

Daylight Savings Time also ends at 2 AM on Sunday, November 6, 2022. We all know the old adage: spring forward, fall back. And that’s when we move our clocks back one hour, making it much darker in the morning (and getting that extra hour of sleep that is so delightful). Fun fact: Hawaii and Arizona do not observe Daylight Savings Time, the only two states that do not.

All of at Fifthroom hope you enjoy your autumn equinox, the crisp beginnings of fall, and all the wonderful journeys that lie ahead!