While it doesn’t have the same effect on our thermometers as it does to our neighbors to the North, the calendar reminds us that the Fall season officially begins on Saturday, the 23^rd, just before 3am – the Autumnal Equinox.

In case you didn’t study (or remember) high school Latin, “equinox” translates to ‘equal night’ in English. It’s one of the two times all year where the sun is exactly positioned over the equator. So really the moment of equinox is a very brief one.

We should also point out that the day the equinox happens, both in September and March (the Spring Equinox), it isn’t exactly a half-night, but as close to it as our Northern Hemisphere gets. Thanks to the rotation of the Earth and the fact that it’s not perfectly round (it gets, um, pudgier at the equator), there will always be a teensy bit more sun, or day, than night.

One thing we don’t often mention but is an interesting fact is that the seasons are reversed on the other ‘side’ of the planet. So while America is getting cooler and the leaves are starting to fall, for folks in the 32 countries in the Southern Hemisphere, like Australia, Brazil and Zimbabwe, they’re celebrating spring.

Customs and Traditions

Traditionally, the most popular traditions of the Autumn season are connected to the harvest. We watch the leaves lose their chlorophyll, turning from green to red, yellow, and orange (even in Florida). Farmers prepare for the mad rush to pick all of the crops in season at that perfect interval between being ready and overripe.

Catholics celebrate Michaelmas, or the Feast of Michael and All Angels, on September 29. It’s a minor feast day here, but in olde England, the day was when servants from the fields were paid their wages, and looked for winter work at local job fairs.

Both Thanksgiving and Halloween fall within the fall months. Thanksgiving, is, of course, a very American tradition celebrating both surviving the early years as colonists on this continent, and our ongoing thanks to our Heavenly Father for bringing us through another year.

Halloween is a bit muddier. Both in America and back in Europe there were several festivals surrounding the harvest and the honoring of the dead, both pagan and Christian. Around the fourth century, the church, in an outreach attempt, melded many of these celebrations. All Saints Eve got mixed with Samhain. Trick or treating grew out of a bizarre mix of pagan costumes, Guy Fawkes Day celebrations and souling – trading prayers for the deceased for sweet cakes all occur. History is rarely as simple as we’d like.

Other Cultural Customs

The ancient Greeks celebrated the abduction of Persephone – which admittedly sounds weird. In their version of how the seasons change, the story goes that Persephone’s mother, the harvest goddess Demeter, worked out a deal where her daughter only had to stay with Hades in the underworld for 3 months. During that time, Demeter refused to let plants grow. Hence, fall going into winter and the return of spring.

On the far side of our hemisphere, the Japanese celebrate the Buddhist holiday of Higan. For three days prior to the equinox and three days after, they honor those who have journeyed to 彼岸, a "distant shore" (the afterlife). They burn incense, pray, clean up gravesites, and decorate them with flowers.

The Chinese and Vietnamese peoples celebrate with the Moon Festival. The date shifts, celebrated on the night of the full moon closest to the equinox. The purpose is to celebrate an abundant summer harvest, and everyone enjoys mooncake filled with lotus, sesame seeds, a duck egg, or dried fruits.

We’ve learned over the years that the Mayans were talented and intelligent mathematicians and builders, far outpacing many other global populations at the time of their apex. This is seen most obviously on the Mexican plains of Chichen Itza. On the exact moment of equinox, the Sun appears to slither down the stairs of the grand pyramid.

Marking the Days

While we may not see as much leaf-changing here on the Gulf Coast of Florida, the coming months are a good time to venture forth to the Midwest or New England to view some brilliant foliage. You can also forage for leftover fruit in the trees. It’s a good way to slow down, appreciate God’s creation and the cycle of life.

In preparation for Thanksgiving, why not start a gratitude journal? Every morning or evening, spend a few minutes to slow down and reflect on the previous day and what you have to be thankful for.

Light a candle. Find your favorite fragrance, ignite it, and let the sweet smell fill the room and your senses. You’ll find yourself slowing down, relaxing and breathing deeper – all signs of good health.

Another great tip is to declutter your life – physically and digitally. It doesn’t have to be extreme, but as you’re pulling out autumn (and maybe Christmas) decorations, you can slow down and sort through what you do and don’t need in your home. What doesn’t make the cut can be donated to a charity so others can be thankful for it.

Digital decluttering may be harder – but it will definitely help you slow down. You don’t have to delete Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Blue Skies or whatever social media apps you use. But you can set boundaries to schedule specific (and hopefully less) time – and let your blood pressure ease.

Finally, see if there’s a farmer’s market or a harvest vegetables popup in your neighborhood. It’s a good time to slow down and carefully shop as you see the world around you. Plus, you’ll be helping local farmers, getting fresher produce and protecting the planet by reducing fuel emissions.

Winter is Coming

Fall is also a great time to make sure your pest control solutions are up to date. As we prepare for the ‘wintry months’ of snowbird season, expect to see fewer mosquitoes and a lot more lovebugs. We can’t do much about the lovebugs, but Good News Pest Solutions can keep your home free from ants, spiders, termites and the occasional earwig and lawn grub that makes its way indoors.

Our Go Green Perimeter Plus will perfectly prepare your home for fall and the protection continues year round. Now is a good time to get our Thermal Acoustical Pest Control (T·A·P™) insulation. Unlike the itchy pink fiberglass, TAP is made with recycled products and treated with a natural pesticide that is safe for your family and helps reduce your energy bill.

For details on these or any of our environmentally and family safe pest solutions, just give us a call!