Autumn Equinox
Autumn Equinox at Glastonbury Tor – Somerset, UK. ID 825_9208
This year in the UK the autumn equinox was on the 23rd September. The time when the sun rises due east and sets due west. The earth is not leaning towards or away from the sun. This year the morning was thick in cloud but the day quickly improved so the equinox was going to be celebrated at sunset instead.
Autumn Equinox
As I arrived at Glastonbury Tor dark shower clouds were passing overhead. Crowds were growing in numbers – singing, playing music, reflecting on the year in a wide range of clothes and head gear. A great mix of people from all corners of UK and afar.
The clear skies and the the low sun brought our the beauty of the green fields around the tor.
Autumn Fields from Glastonbury Tor – Looking North, Somerset, UK. ID 825_9259H
Autumn Fields from Glastonbury Tor – Looking West, Somerset, UK. ID 825_9373H
As the shadows lengthen the ancient ridge and furrows are easily seen. Ridge and furrows are created by ploughing in the same strip of land year after year during the middle ages. Then never ploughed again.
Autumn Fields from Glastonbury Tor – Looking south, Somerset, UK. ID 825_9420
The Clouds
The clouds gave the sun a canvas on which to draw its light.
Autumn Equinox at Glastonbury Tor – Somerset, UK. ID 825_9303
Autumn Equinox at Glastonbury Tor – Somerset, UK. ID 825_9317
Sunset
The magical moments when everyone stops to watch the sun drop below the horizon.
Autumn Equinox from Glastonbury Tor – Somerset, UK. ID 825_9398
Autumn Equinox from Glastonbury Tor – Somerset, UK. ID 825_9473
Autumn Equinox from Glastonbury Tor – Somerset, UK. ID 825_9461
Harvest Moon
The harvest moon is the first full moon following the autumn equinox. This year, in the UK, this occurs on the 25th September. But today on the 23rd it looked full already. The harvest moon rises above the horizon in the east just as the sun sets below the horizon in the west. This provides the extra light farmers need to bring in their crops later in the evening.
Harvest Moon from Glastonbury Tor – Somerset, UK. ID 825_9552
In the pink glow from the sunset the moon’s sky was beautiful.
Harvest Moon from Glastonbury Tor – Somerset, UK. ID 825_9579
And Finally…
The brightest colours occur long after sunset. Do not rush home as the sun sets below the horizon. In stead, keep warm and if you are lucky the clouds will pick up the crimson colours of the last rays of light. Tonight, above the lights of a town called Street the colours put on one more display.
Autumn Equinox from Glastonbury Tor – Street, Somerset, UK. ID 825_9613
