Autumnal Equinox Celebrations in a COVID-World
/The Autumnal Equinox, Tuesday, September 22, 2020, marks the start of fall. When the night becomes as long as the day, cultures and religions celebrate the equinox. Most of this years celebrations around the world are cancelled (or modified) because of COVID-19 but you can still celebrate Autumnal Equinox festival traditions with crafts and activities while you adhere to current pandemic guidelines. Create fond memories with each other while welcoming in the Autumnal Equinox.
USA: Visit a Farm
We are surrounded by farms in the Bay Area so Harvest Time is an exceptionally fun time. And while the pandemic and wildfires have hit us hard - seasonal crops did not get the memo. Farms are flourishing with an abundance of goodies. Enjoy the seasons bounty and take a bite of an Apple Orchard field trip, cheesavores delight with a trip along the Cheese Trail or discover a local gem along the Sonoma County Farm Trails.
Poland: Create A Nature Touch Table
Dożynki celebrates the last day of harvest in late September with revelers singing, shouting and decorating the village with boughs. Gather items from a nature walk and lay them out to to touch, smell, observe and to welcome the season of fall.
Korea: Start a Gratitude Journal
Chuseok, which means “Autumn Eve”, falls on Thursday, October 1, 2020. It is a time when families visit their home town, worship their ancestors and enjoy a harvest feast with songpyeon and rice wines. Together, they share food and stories, and they show GRATITUDE to their ancestors for an abundant autumn harvest.
China and Vietnam: Write a Moon Review
Zhong Qiu Jie, or the Mid-Autumn Festival, is celebrated on Thursday, October 1st this year. When the full moon rises, families get together to watch the full moon, eat moon cakes and sing moon poems. Record nightly observations of the moon, discover all kinds of fascinating things about how the moon travels, other celestial observations, note the various phases of the moon and why it always seems to change.
Germany: Bake a Bavarian Pretzel
Oktoberfest is a German festival celebrating Bavarian culture. Normally you will catch people in traditional Bavarian dirndls and lederhosen, drinking beer (Prost!), dancing to oomph bands and consuming bratwurst, schnitzel, sauerbraten and especially Bavarian Pretzels!
Japan: Kayak
Higan (彼岸) is a Buddhist holiday that marks the changing of seasons and pays respect to deceased family members. The name “Higan” means crossing over to the “other shore” and this year is celebrated on September 22. One side of the river is the world where we live, and the other side is the realm where the souls of those who have passed away dwell. Worshipers offer flowers, confections and prayers. Kayak to the other side from where you are and leave a gift or prayer to remember a loved one.
El Salvador: Family Fire Pit
Indigenous Mayan priest and priestess chant prayers around a central fire adorned with flowers to celebrate the autumn equinox at the Cihuatán Archeological Park in Aguilares. Gather your social bubble around and feel the warmth of family and friends as you enjoy the movement of the flames of a fire pit. Fire pits can bring all kinds of fun - dance, sing, beat drums, play music, enjoy time together and celebrate the fall.
Macedonia: Watch a Sunrise
People pilgrimage to the 3,800-year-old prehistoric observatory for the autumnal equinox in Kumanovo, Macedonia. The cracked volcanic rocks marks the rising sun drawing worshipers four times a year at the solstices and the equinox. Wake up early, watch the sun appear and follow the path of the light of a sunrise on the Earth and absorb this gift from the Sun.
Lithuania: Make a Beach Candle
Baltic mythological signs made of candles will light up on autumn equinox in Vilnius, Lithuania. Revelers watch various fire shows on the embankment of Neris river near King Mindaugas’ Bridge after sunset to celebrate the fading Sun's farewell into the darkness and resting period while burning special Sun sculptures to thank the Sun for gifts of light, warmth and harvest.
Pagan: Get Outside
Mabon celebrates the perfect balance on the journey through the “Wheel of the Year”. Night and day are of equal length and in perfect equilibrium and time for calming and stress releasing exercise such as yoga and meditation that can be practiced indoors or outdoors.
Judaism: Bake Challah
Challah is a special Jewish bread that is frequently eaten on Shabbat and during religious festivals like Rosh Hashanah (Friday, September 18 - Sunday, September 20, 2020.) Delicious braided loaves are adorned with various types of seeds, such as sesame or poppy seeds or sweet with cinnamon raisin.
Christianity: Visit Your Local Famers Markets
Michaelmas, or the Feast of Michael and All Angels, is celebrated on the 29th of September every year with a celebration of seasonal foods. Create your own autumn feast with a meal sourced from the farmers market. Include seasonal favorites such as corn, squash, zucchini, apples and pumpkins. Make sure to introduce something new.
Middle Earth: Make a Fuzed Glass Project
At the Shire, on the Equinox, both Bilbo and Frodo were born. The American Tolkien Society declared in 1978, that Hobbit Day be celebrated on September 22nd - The Equinox. Make a beautiful Fuzed Glass project based on a Tolkien’s books like this one my daughter made, Door of Durin, from Lord of the Rings.
