First Sunrise of Spring – Equinox Morning Observance          Watch the First Rays of Spring Sun Enlighten the Heart Stone

Note: this sunrise event is intentionally scheduled for the day AFTER Equinox; our sunset event is on the actual day of Equinox!

Weather and snow conditions permitting, we will be outdoors as we stand and watch the sunrise. If the weather is bad (i.e. winter storms), we will cancel – watch for cancellation updates (if any) on the day of the event. 

The actual time of Equinox is 10:06 pm CDT on Tuesday – so this (Wednesday morning) is the time to witness the first sunrise of Spring!

At Kinstone we have a unique alignment visible only at Equinox at sunrise, we call it The Heart Alignment. Stand with us in The Three Witnesses sculpture as the sun aligns through the Equinox Window and highlights the Heart Stone. Come and see!

Vernal (Spring) Equinox is an astronomically significant solar event. It occurs when the sun is midpoint in its journey from Winter Solstice to Summer Solstice. The sun appears to rise at due east and set at due west. It is traditionally seen as a time of balance. The light of day and the dark of night are equal. It is the herald of spring; a time for new beginnings, growth, and seeking the joy of the light.

COST: admission to Kinstone, $10/person, (pay in advance online OR pay in person in the Gift Shop upon arrival – please get here early enough to do that before the event begins). No Registration Required.

Date: Wednesday, March 20, 2024  Time: 6:30am – 8:00am

Come at 6:30 to enjoy the predawn horizons and our brief program before we stand to watch the sun arrive.

We will gather in the center of The Three Witnesses sculpture at Kinstone. Given fair weather and clear skies, we will watch the sun as it crests the ridge and beams through the Equinox Window to light up the heart of the middle standing stone, known as the “Heart Stone”. Given cloudy weather, we will not see the sunrise, but will greet it ceremoniously regardless.

This will be a quiet, meditative event with a short opening rite and reading to welcome Spring. After the reading, if the sun is visible, participants may wish to watch the alignment through the Equinox Window, see the heart highlighted in the center stone Witness, sit in the light of the sun, take photos, and greet the sunrise.

Dress for the weather and wear appropriate footwear, jackets, scarves, hats and gloves! Bring a camp chair or blanket to sit on, for your comfort, if you wish. Be prepared for it to be breezy and cool up here on the ridge! (Many people underestimate the wind and cold.)

This event is outdoors and will be held only in good weather. If it is raining or snowing, this event will be cancelled.  Cancellations will be posted only on this event page and on the corresponding Facebook event page at least one (1) hour before the scheduled start time for this event.