Equinox Part 2

 

Yesterday, Monday, was the official equinox.  As always, there is a several day period on either side of the actual event to honor that date and do ceremony.  For the solstices, you have about a 5 day window, but for the equinoxes, maybe one day on either side of the actual date.  That is because the sun “appears” to be moving faster at equinox time, and slower during the solstices. 

Fortunately, the evening skies yesterday were perfectly clear, and the weather was delightfully balmy, so I drove out to the Parowan Gap sacred site in the early evening to observe the sun setting through the gap.  I drove up a dirt road and parked at the designated site, which is the same for both fall and spring equinoxes.  Imagine my surprise to find the same 2 guys that were there 6 months ago for the Vernal Equinox, once again camping next to their Tesla Cybertrucks! 

So at that point, there were just 5 of us at the site.  Me, the 2 campers, and a grandfather and grandson sitting in their ATV.  Nice and quiet.  As I started tuning in and taking some photos, I noticed a few vehicles coming up the road.  And then a few more and more until there were about 60 people and I do not know how many cars were there by the time the sun set in the gap.   What was going on?  I suspect that this was an organized church activity, as most of the people looked like they were a part of a youth group.  There were families with children there, too.

I did my best to tune in and enjoy the equinox, but there were so many distractions that it was difficult.  As soon as the sun was down, I left for home.  Here is the sunset.

Most years for equinox and solstice, I may be the only one there.  This was quite the unusual event.  I hope all of those people benefited from being in that special place at that special time.