The 2026 Spring (Vernal) Equinox occurred on March 20, marking the astronomical start of spring in the Northern Hemisphere and autumn in the Southern Hemisphere. It signifies a moment of balance, where Earth’s axis tilts neither toward nor away from the Sun, causing the sun to pass directly over the equator and providing roughly equal day and night lengths worldwide.
Earth orbits the Sun completing one cycle in approximately 365.25 days. This journey, combined with Earth’s tilted axis (23.4 °) determines our calendar year and creates the four seasons as different hemispheres receive varying sunlight.
Notice the following patterns:
- Summer Solstice – the Sun is shining directly on Tropic of Cancer (23.5°N) at noon in the Northern Hemisphere.
- Spring and Fall Equinox – the Sun is shining directly on the Earth’s equator.
- Winter Solstice – the Sun is shining directly on the Tropic of Capricorn (23.5°S) at noon in the Southern Hemisphere.
(I live in Wilmore Kentucky which is in the Northern Hemisphere: 37° 51′ 43″ N. Depending on where you live, the patterns may be different.)
The amount of daylight gained varies depending on your location and the time of year. Generally, around the time of the spring equinox, many places in the Northern Hemisphere can gain approximately 2 to 3 minutes of daylight each day as the days lengthen. This increase continues until the summer solstice, This added daylight is not just added to the evening; it is split between earlier sunrises and later sunsets.
In the morning, I bring a cup of coffee and a bowl of oatmeal into the living room. I sit on the couch and look out the picture window that faces northeast. Sometimes I can see the Sun rise up over the horizon. Today I only saw evidence of the sunrise, the morning sky painted with a pinkish hue.
But as you have just learned, God created the Sun and the Earth and set their relationship and interaction in a repeated, predictable pattern. Because of this, I have hope knowing that soon there will come a day when, as I sit on the couch and look out the window, I will see the sun rise over the horizon.
Whatever season you find yourself in today, remember that God’s character remains unchanging, providing a solid foundation for hope. Read God’s word, trust and believe. If you find yourself feeling more darkness than light at the moment, remember that He makes all things new. A new season is on the way!
31 God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day. (Genesis 1:31, NIV)
3 By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. (Hebrews 11:3, NIV)
5 This is what God the Lord says—
the Creator of the heavens, who stretches them out,
who spreads out the earth with all that springs from it,
who gives breath to its people,
and life to those who walk on it. (Isaiah 42:5, NIV)
20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. (Romans 1:20, NIV)
2 Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:22-23, NIV)
P.S. If you are wondering where the human anatomy & physiology analogy discussion is, come back next month!
https://www.ksla.com/2019/03/06/weather-or-not-spring-equinox/
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