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| Duane A Lienemann |
The vernal, or spring, equinox signals the beginning of nature’s renewal in the Northern Hemisphere. The word equinox is derived from the Latin words meaning “equal night.” On the first day of spring—the vernal equinox—day and night are each approximately 12 hours long (with the actual time of equal day and night, in the Northern Hemisphere, occurring a few days before the vernal equinox). The Sun crosses the celestial equator going northward; it rises exactly due east and sets exactly due west. That is the simplistic way of describing it. Actually, in a technical way concerning the equinoxes, the tilt of Earth relative to the Sun is zero, which means that Earth’s axis neither points toward nor away from the Sun. It may interest you that a second equinox which will occur on Sept. 22 at 9:29 pm central time. This date will mark the autumnal equinox in the Northern Hemisphere and the vernal equinox in the Southern Hemisphere. But let’s continue on with the vernal equinox.
I remember my parents telling me that this time of year always points towards Easter. I was curious how that all came together, so I set out to see if the vernal equinox had anything have anything to do with Easter? It seems that the vernal equinox does in deed determine the date of Easter for Christians. The date of Easter is traditionally the first Sunday after the first full moon after the vernal equinox. This does have historical influence. In the old Hebrew and Israelite calendar, the New Year was always on the Spring equinox. These people planned their lives around the movement of the sun and if you think about it, the first day of Spring would be a good time to start a new year the logical place to start anew.
Isn’t this the date you can balance an egg on its end? Or perhaps get a common kitchen broom to stand at attention? Well I have tried both, and was successful, so I was convinced that there was truth to it. Actually it is an ancient Chinese custom to balance eggs, a symbol of fertility, on the day of the March or vernal equinox to bring good luck and prosperity. Americans have picked up on this and have created a rumor that it's only possible to stand an egg on its end on the 1st day of spring. While this seems pretty cool, it is only partly true in that it is possible to stand an egg on its head. Have they tried other days?
Actually it has nothing to do with it being the first day of spring. It can be performed any day of the year and even on the bar of the local watering hole any Saturday night. This “party trick” most likely has to with the texture of the egg shell (a smoother shell probably won't grip to the surface as well) and the skill or steady hand of the egg handler. There are no changes in gravity alignment between the sun and the Earth, which has sometimes been attributed to the eggs balancing specifically on the spring equinox. It seems that this is an age-old myth that does not really hold any truth. So actually trying to balance an oval-shaped object on its end is no easier on the spring equinox than on any other day. There is no scientific way the Earth's axis could help stabilize the egg. The equinox means balanced light, not balanced eggs!
Well, how about the standing broom? I am sure that this coming week you will see all kinds of Facebook postings with folks claiming they were able to stand a broom on end thanks to a supposed "planetary alignment," or the vernal equinox. Some will even have photographic evidence. But here's the thing: it's a trick, not the result of any spooky celestial phenomenon. For one thing, the spring equinox has nothing to do with it. Neither does any planetary alignment. The same brooms standing on end today will stand on end a week from now, a month from now, or even six months from now. You just have to know the trick. You can do it yourself. Here is how it works. And the equinox has nothing to do with it!
Take any flat-bottomed broom (it can be angled or straight) with relatively stiff bristles, and stand it up so the bottom is flat on the floor. Try balancing it and letting go. If it won't stay upright by itself (some will, some won't, depending on weight, dimensions, and center of gravity), then push straight down, forcing the bristles to spread apart on each side (depending on the particular broom, you may have to use your fingers to spread the bristles evenly). Then gently let up on the downward pressure, balancing the broom upright as you release it. The spread bristles will contract somewhat but not completely, forming a relatively stable base which should allow the broom to continue standing by itself - a parlor trick!
Now that I know the truth on both of these “myths” all I can say is “Bummer.” But do not despair - the days are getting longer and warmer! We have suffered enough. It is time for a reprieve. However you celebrate or mark the beginning of spring, it does symbolize a rebirth. This is the season of nature’s renewal. Many commit to do their annual “spring cleaning” and get rid of things we no longer use or need. I know that a lot of women and yes even some men routinely follow that urge. We not only clean, but we plant new plants to add to the trees and flowers that will soon start to bloom. Everything just seems fresh! Here’s wishing you an excellent “vernal equinox and a Spring full of beauty and new beginnings. Enjoy!!
The preceding information comes from the research and personal observations of the writer which may or may not reflect the views of UNL or UNL Extension. For more further information on these or other topics contact D. A. Lienemann, UNL Extension Educator for Webster County in Red Cloud, (402) 746-3417 or email to: dlienemann2@unl.edu or go to the website at: http://www.webster.unl.edu/home
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