Watch the Sunset Alignment and Catch the Sun on the Eve of Equinox
9/22/23 5:30pm UPDATE: 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! Rain expected at 7ish. Plan accordingly!
This event will be held as scheduled so as long as the weather is good. We will be outdoors where we will stand and watch the sunset. If the weather is bad, we will cancel – watch for final updates on the day of the event.
This Sunset Alignment event is held the evening before the date of Equinox as we say farewell to Summer by watching its last sunset together.
At Kinstone we have a unique alignment visible only at Equinox at sunset. Stand with us and the Enlightenment Stones (Atlas and Lancelot) as the sun aligns to shine through the perforations in Lancelot and cast a line of bright points of light onto Atlas. Come and see! Join us to celebrate the coming of harvest-time and the golden season of autumn.
Autumnal 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: Friday, September 22, 2023 Time: 6:15pm – 7:15pm
Actual sunset is expected at 7:04pm for our location. However, with the topography specific to Kinstone, the time we witness it is always a bit earlier than expected.
This will be a quiet, meditative event with a short opening rite and reading to send Summer off with grace. Given fair weather and clear skies as the sun sets in the West, we will witness the light as it passes through the “Wise One” (Lancelot) and enlightens the “World” (Atlas). If the sunlight is strong enough and unobstructed by clouds on the horizon, we will see a line of polka-dots on Atlas and a select few folks may be able to “catch the sun” as it aligns with the perforations in Lancelot. We will begin watching for opportunities to Catch the Sun immediately after our readings.
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 weather permitting. 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.
IMPORTANT: If you wish to ensure your chance to “catch the sun”, please Contact Us to sign up by sending an email stating “I want to catch the sun” and include your full name and email address with the subject “Catch the sun”. During this event, guests who have signed up will be invited, in order of sign-up time, to catch the sun as and if weather and sunlight conditions permit. After that, anyone attending can try this on a first-come basis. As many as we can get through will be given a chance to be photographed with their hands catching the sun – bring a friend who can be your photographer!
HAPPY AUTUMN!
Interesting fact: The exact time of the astronomical Autumnal Equinox is Saturday, September 23, 2023 at 1:49am CDT.
