Equinox - Two equal oxen

by Summer Sailstice on 24 Sep 2015 September 23, 2015 is the day of the two equal oxen. The mythical day when, according to legend, two equal oxen of equal size and strength pulled the earth in opposite directions stretching it so the day and night turned out to be of equal length.

Celestial navigators know this from 'The American Practical Navigator' by Nathaniel Bowditch or perhaps the Old Farmer's Almanac. This was figured out long before anyone had a smart phone or Google to answer all celestial questions. In fact, a quick Google search will determine that there is no truth to this legend and it's actually a load of bull.

However, the equinox is today, September 23rd, 2015 and is the day the Northern Hemisphere passes the torch to the Southern Hemisphere as the North's sailing season winds down and the South's heats up. We're right smack halfway between winter and summer solstice with the Northern Hemisphere celebrating the fall equinox by harvesting the crops and pulling their boats from the water!

The Southern Hemisphere is planting its crops and putting their boats in the water (though with so much of the Southern Hemisphere land mass so far North not that many boats actually suffer a winter haulout). If you happen to be on the equator on this day your shadow will be the shortest it will be all year as the sun will be directly overhead.

It's also the time of year when many sailors are moving boats from the high latitudes to low latitudes to head South with the sun. Cruisers from the Mediterranean and East and West coasts of the US will migrate South with the whales and birds to escape the Northern cold and dark.

If you're in Norway, Alaska or Maine you probably have already pulled the boat and put the covers on or are just about to. If you're in Antigua you probably are anxiously awaiting the end of hurricane season and ready to relax with some more consistent trade winds. It also highlights one of the beauties of being a sailor rather than land bound. With your sailing home afloat you can pick your season, weather and sunshine by casting off your docklines and following the sun.

If you are in the North you'll likely be spending some time in the months ahead dreaming of your 2016 sailing season (or hopefully taking a break with a tropical charter). It would be a good time to mark your calendar for the weekend of June 18th, the weekend closest to the summer solstice, and the 16th annual Summer Sailstice celebration of sailing. It's never too early to plan next summer's sailing festivities.