By K.P. Sander

Punxsutawney Phil (and his recent prediction of six more weeks of winter) has nothing on astronomical events – such as when the sun is at its zenith over the Equator – and all things celestial.

On Fri., Mar. 20, the Vernal Equinox will take place, so get out your white shoes because spring will officially have sprung.

According to Wikipedia, an “equinox” happens twice each year:  at some point near March 20, and again around September 22.  Generally speaking, an equinox is when the length of day and night is of approximately equal duration.  Quite literally, “equinox” is a Latin derivative meaning, “equal night.”  At these specific times, as the Earth resolves around the Sun, the Sun is exactly above the equator.

In spring, the Northern Hemisphere begins to tilt toward the sun, resulting in warmer, sunnier days.  As the warmth begins to dissipate the frost and cooler temperatures, the Earth begins to bring forth new signs of life with trees becoming verdant, and plant life beginning to germinate.  Ancient cultures knew that their food supplies would soon be returning and there was great cause for celebration.

Legendarily speaking, there are supposed mystical properties of the vernal equinox that make it possible to balance an egg on its end. Scientifically speaking, this is a bunch of hooey (you can make it happen on any day of the year, if you are determined enough), but how many of you will try this out of curiosity?

On the other hand, and something much more truthful, you can amaze your friends by plotting out the Easter calendar from this point forward, because in Christianity, Easter always falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon after the vernal equinox.

Despite the fascination with hemispherical science, the coming of spring changes the perspective of all life forms.  In the words of Alfred Lord Tennyson, “In the spring, a young man’s fancy lightly turns to thoughts of love.”

Indeed.  Happy Vernal Equinox!