On Sept. 22, the world will experience the Autumn Equinox, one of only two times each year when day and night are nearly equal in length. This astronomical event occurs when the sun crosses the celestial equator, signaling the official start of fall in the Northern Hemisphere.
The equinox is a moment of balance—when the tilt of the Earth’s axis positions the sun directly above the equator. From this point forward, days in the Northern Hemisphere will gradually grow shorter and nights longer, until the winter solstice in December. Many cultures throughout history have marked the equinox as a time of transition, reflection, and gratitude.
The Autumn Equinox represents change and preparation. It’s a reminder that nature moves in cycles, encouraging us to pause, reflect, and prepare for the months ahead. Across the world, harvest festivals and cultural observances often center on the equinox, celebrating abundance and the turning of the seasons.
To Native Hawaiians, the Autumn Equinox was known as Ke Ala Maʻaweʻula a Kanaloa, the well-traveled red path/tentacle of Kanaloa. Kanaloa is the god of the ocean, healing, and ruler of the realms south of the equator. Native Hawaiians closely observed this annual event, as it held deep significance for navigation, farming, and ceremony. Traditional Hawaiian calendars were closely tied to the movement of the sun, moon, and stars. The balance of light and darkness at the equinox was a natural marker for shifting agricultural practices and seasonal cycles. Hawaiians also understood the equinox as a time of balance and harmony. Just as day and night are equal, it was seen as an opportunity to reflect on balance within oneself, the ʻohana (family), and the ʻāina (land). For navigators, the sun’s position at the equinox was another way to align with the rhythms of the natural world while traveling vast distances across the Pacific.
For DAWSON, the Autumn Equinox can serve as a reminder of balance—between work and life, growth and rest, responsibility and reflection. As we enter this new season, let’s take a moment to honor the cycles of nature and the wisdom of Hawaiian traditions that remind us to live in harmony with our surroundings.
