Tonight marks the fall equinox, that brief and beautiful moment when the sun crosses the celestial equator and day and night come into near-perfect balance.
It’s a turning point in the year — a pause between light and dark, growth and rest — that cultures and creatures alike have honored for centuries.
Here are five surprising facts about the equinox, each paired with an action you can take to nurture both the earth and your own inner balance.
1. Equinox is a day of almost-perfect balance
- Fact: On the equinox, day and night are nearly equal, but not perfectly. Because Earth’s atmosphere bends sunlight, we actually get a few extra minutes of daylight.
- Do: Plant a pollinator-friendly patch of native blooms in your windowsill or yard to provide nectar for bees and butterflies before winter sets in. Here's a great resource for finding plants native to your area: https://nativeplantfinder.nwf.org/Plants.
- Reflection: Just as the equinox balances light and dark, your small act of planting helps maintain balance in your local ecosystem.
2. Birds follow celestial clues
- Fact: Many migrating birds use the angle of the sun at equinox as a navigational cue for their long journeys.
- Do: Help them on their way by dimming outdoor lights and keeping windows bird-safe during the next few weeks of heavy migration.
- Reflection: By protecting birds in our own backyards, we honor the rhythm of the seasons and the delicate interconnections that sustain life.
3. Plants shift their energy underground
- Fact: As the days shorten, many perennials pull nutrients from their leaves back into their roots to store energy for winter. (!)
- Do: Early fall is the perfect time to plant native bulbs or shrubs. Cooler soil encourages strong root growth so they can rest and recharge until spring.
- Reflection: Observing how plants slow down and store energy can inspire us to nurture our own foundations — physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
4. Shortening days cue overwintering insects
- Fact: Pollinators like butterflies, bees, and fireflies overwinter in fallen leaves and hollow stems. Raking too thoroughly can disrupt their life cycles.
- Do: Leave some leaves in your garden beds or create a small “bee hotel” from hollow stems. Your small act of care supports an entire micro-community through the colder months. Here's a cute video on how to create a bee and bug hotel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egB_YR-PfXA
- Reflection: Even the quietest acts — leaving leaves or stems in place — can have an outsized impact, reminding us that small gestures matter in nature and in life.
5. Harvest festivals are celebrated around the world
- Fact: From Japan’s Higan to Germany’s Erntedankfest, cultures around the world mark the equinox with gratitude for the harvest.
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Do: Host a simple gratitude ritual of your own. Share a meal with friends focusing on local produce, scatter native seeds for birds, or make a list of five things you’re thankful for this season.
Reflection: Sharing what we have honors the spirit of the equinox while deepening our relationships and helping biodiversity thrive.
Finding Balance in Your Own Skin
As nature slows down and roots in for winter, your skin may be craving a little extra nourishment too. Take this moment of balance to care for yourself with the same thoughtfulness you give the planet.
Green Bee Botanicals skincare is crafted with full-spectrum plant actives and sustainable packaging — gentle on you and on the earth.
A Little Extra Light
Every act of balance, no matter how small — whether it’s leaving leaves for pollinators or pausing to feel the evening light — helps create a healthier planet and a calmer heart.
Happy Equinox.
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