Greetings of the Equinox of the Gods!
Greetings of the March (northward) equinox, which is the time that the Earth’s tilted axis is perpendicular to the rays of the Sun.
Today at 21:24 UTC, the Sun crosses the projection of the earth’s equator (at 0° ecliptic longitude) into the Northern Hemisphere, entering the sign of Aries, the cardinal sign of Fire. In the Continental U.S., this will occur tomorrow morning at 2:24 PM PDT, for those of us on the West Coast, and 5:24 PM EDT, for those on the East Coast.
Since the Sun will be entering the Northern Hemisphere and leaving the Southern Hemisphere, this equinox is considered the vernal or spring equinox in the Northern Hemisphere, but the autumnal or fall equinox in the Southern Hemisphere. The Winter Solstice thus represents (in the Northern Hemisphere) the point at which the full, life-giving light of the sun has returned. Since ancient times, the vernal equinox has been celebrated, in one way or another, as the return of vital activity in nature.
“Each element — fire, earth, air, water, and Spirit — possesses its own Nature, Will, and Magical Formula. Each one may then have its appropriate ritual. Many such in crude form are described in The Golden Bough of Dr. J.G. Frazer, the Glory of Trinity!
“In particular the entry of the Sun into the cardinal signs of the elements at the Equinoxes and Solstices are suitable for festivals.
“The difference between ‘rituals’ and ‘feasts’ is this: by the one a particular form of energy is generated, while there is a general discharge of one’s superfluous force in the other. Yet a feast implies periodical nourishment.”
– The New Comment
Within the system of Thelema, the March Equinox has additional significance:
“A feast for the Supreme Ritual, and a feast for the Equinox of the Gods.”
– AL II, 40
“The Supreme Ritual is the Invocation of Horus, which brought about the Opening of the New Aeon. The date is March 20… The Equinox of the Gods is the term used to describe the Beginning of a New Aeon, or a New Magical Formula. It should be celebrated at every Equinox, in the manner known to Neophytes of the A.’.A..’.”
– The New Comment
In Thelema, our ceremonial system of marking time begins with the establishment of the New Aeon. Thus, our ceremonial year begins with the March equinox, with the year number dating from the Supreme Ritual–the Invocation of Horus in Cairo on March 20, 1904 e.v. Today is the 119th anniversary of the Supreme Ritual and the Equinox of the Gods, marking the beginning of the Thelemic Year Vix (119 in our system of 22-year cycles).
Best wishes to all for propitious equinoctial auspices and a prosperous new year!
