Autumn Equinox Morning Observance
Watch the Sunrise Alignment Highlight the Heart Stone
We are proceeding in the cloudy weather. Any who wish to may gather with us for a short program but we will NOT see the alignment due to the overcast skies!
This event will be held as scheduled as long as the weather is good. We will be outdoors as we stand and watch the sunrise. If the weather is bad, we will cancel – watch for cancellation updates (if any) on the day of the event.
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!
Autumn Equinox is an astronomically significant solar event. It occurs when the sun is midpoint in its journey from Summer Solstice to Winter 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 a herald of winter; a time for settling in for the season of rest, rejuvenation and root work.
COST: admission to Kinstone (pay in advance online OR place your cash admission in the Blue Payment Box attached to the Information Sign Board near the parking areas); No Registration Required
Date: Saturday, September 23, 2023 Time: 6:30am – 8:00am (at Sunrise)
Location: The Three Witnesses Sculpture at Kinstone
Actual sunrise is expected at 6:54am for our location. However, with the topography specific to Kinstone, the time we witness it may be just a bit later. 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. Bring a camp chair 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 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.
HAPPY AUTUMN!
Interesting fact: The exact time of the astronomical Autumnal Equinox is Saturday, September 23, 2023 at 1:49am CDT.
Photo Credit: Kristine Beck
