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Learning centre
| Solstice and equinoxes
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Sunrise at
Stone Henge
2 October 2005
(9 days after the Autumn Equinox)
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Why do we have seasons, solstices and equinoxes?
As the Earth's axis is tilted
at 23.5º, its north-south
position changes over the year as it travels around the sun.
This
causes our seasons, solstices and equinoxes. |
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What is a solstice?
Solstice
comes from
the Latin words 'sol'
meaning sun and 'sistere'
meaning 'to cause to stand still'.
On the day of the solstice
(twice a year), the sun
appears to 'stand still' as though it's in the same position as the day before.
There are two solstices - summer and winter.
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What is the Summer solstice?
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summer |
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The
summer solstice is the longest day
of the year (from
sunrise to sunset).
It is also the first day of summer.
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It is
known as
Alban Heflin, Alben Heruin,
All-couples day, Feast of Epona, Feast of St. John the Baptist,
Feill-Sheathain, Gathering Day, Johannistag, Litha, Midsummer, Sonnwend,
Thing-Tide and Vestalia.
When is the next
Summer solstice?
For exact dates of the next
summer solstice see the
2006 calendar.
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What is the Winter solstice?
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winter |
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The winter solstice
is the shortest day of the year
(from sunrise
to sunset).
It is
also the first day of winter.
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It is
known as
Christmas, Saturnalia and Yule. When is the next Winter
solstice?
For exact dates of the next
Winter solstice see the
2006 calendar.
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What is an equinox?
Equinox is from the
Latin word 'æquinoctium.'
This in turn, comes from 'æquus'
meaning equal and 'nox'
meaning night.
An equinox
occurs when the sun is over the equator and the hours of day and night are
equal, ie: 12 hours each.
There are two
equinoxes - spring and autumn.
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What is the Autumn equinox?
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autumn |
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The autumn equinox
occurs when the night
and day are 12 hours each.
It is also the
first day of the autumn.
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It is known as
Alban Elfed, Autumnal Equinox,
Cornucopia, Fall Equinox, Feast of Avilon, Festival
of Dionysus, Harvest Home, Harvest Tide, Mabon, Night of the Hunter, Second
Harvest Festival, Wine Harvest and the Witch's
Thanksgiving.
When is the
next Autumn equinox?
For exact dates of the next Autumn equinox see the
2006 calendar.
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What is the
Spring equinox?
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spring |
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The
spring equinox
occurs when the night
and day are 12 hours each.
It is also
the first day of the
spring.
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It is known as
Alban Eilir, Eostar, Eostre, Feast
of Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Festival of Trees, Lady Day,
NawRuz, No Ruz, Ostara, Ostra, Rites of Spring and the
vernal equinox.
When is the next Spring equinox?
- Northern hemisphere:
March 21-23
- Southern hemisphere: September
21-23
For exact dates of the next Spring equinox see the
2006 calendar.
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Pisces
The fish
i
19 Feb - 20 Mar
You are:
* compassionate & kind
* funny & imaginative
* sensitive & shy
Crystals for Pisces are:
*
Amethyst
*
Chevron Amethyst
* Bloodstone
*
Clear Quartz
*
Fluorite
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