28 • The Beacon March 27, 2025
The meaning of the Spring Equinox and what it signals
Hello, Coshocton County. There are so many exciting things happening in March with National Ag Day and the start of spring. While this time begins farmers getting back into the field to begin planting season, it also is a time for the world to start turning green again.
The first day of spring or the Spring Equinox happened last Thursday, March 20. It is called the Spring Equinox because the sun crossed over the celestial equator going north to south. The celestial equator is an imaginary line in the sky above Earth’ s equator.
On the Spring Equinox, the Northern Hemisphere and the Southern Hemisphere receive roughly the
same amounts of sunlight, meaning neither side of the hemisphere is tilted more forward or away from the sun.
The word equinox comes from the Latin words for“ equal night”— aequus( equal) and nox( night). On the equinox, the length of day and night are equal in all parts of the world. An interesting fact about equinoxes is it is the only two times a year where the sun rises due east and sets due west for everyone on Earth.
It is a common question
in the world on when the first day of spring is. Some believe March 1 begins spring, and others believe you must wait until the Spring Equinox. The answer to that question is both are correct.
The answer truly depends on your definition of spring. Both dates are accurate; they’ re just from different perspectives.
If you are looking at it from an astronomical point of view, the first day of spring officially begins with the Spring Equinox. This usually falls between March 19, 20 or 21. Like explained before, the equinox happens worldwide, beginning both spring and autumn in different parts of the world.
Meteorologically speaking, the official first day of spring is March 1. When weather scientists look at a year, they divide into four quarters to easily compare seasonal and monthly statistics from one year to the next. The meteorological seasons are based on annual temperature cycles rather than the position of the sun compared to Earth.
Because the dates of the astronomical equinoxes and solstices for the seasons vary slightly each year, it would present a statistical problem for meteorologists. The meteorological seasons follow closely to the Gregorian calendar, which recognizes the seasons as spring( March through May), summer( June through August), autumn / fall
( September through November) and winter( December through February).
The Spring Equinox signals new beginnings and nature’ s renewal. Many cultures celebrate spring’ s arrival in different ways. A notable one for the U. S. is Easter and Passover. Here are a few more ways to celebrate spring.
Get outside. The weather is starting to warm up, and more and more of nature is reappearing. Worms and other grubs are starting to resurface, which is why the March full moon is called the Worm Moon. Spring also means the birds are migrating back north. This means you will start to hear the beautiful singing of the birds again.
If you haven’ t already, now is a great time to start planning a garden. Local greenhouses start back up again with the arrival of spring, so preparing to get a head start on your garden is a great way to pass the time these first couple days of spring.
I would like to close with a quote from the great Robin Williams,“ Spring is nature’ s way of saying,‘ Let’ s party!’” With that being said, don’ t be afraid to celebrate with the world and nature as things start to renew and refresh themselves. Have a great and safe day.
Brett Kinzel is the extension educator of agriculture and natural resources for the Ohio State University Extension in Coshocton County.
Reader: Rallies and protests are a privilege in this country
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Letter to the Editor,
We protest for a few reasons, with first and foremost being to make our voices heard about a topic we care about.
Approximately 70 local individuals came together Saturday, March 15 to
Personal Injury & Civil Litigation
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peacefully protest certain actions taken by the current |
administration. The event was bipartisan. In attendance were members of both the Democratic and Republican parties, as well as Independent voters such as myself.
People were concerned with massive and indiscriminate cuts made to veterans services, farmers, scientific research, national parks, education, national security, humanitarian work, reproductive and women’ s rights, and the treatment of hardworking immigrants, to
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name a few. Also of concern were proposed cuts to Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security.
Individuals made and carried signs indicating their areas of interest. We rallied on the Court Square and marched down Main Street to Second Street and back up Chestnut chanting,“ Tell me what democracy looks like. This is what democracy looks like.”
Our country still allows for freedom of speech, and we use that privilege
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and right to make our opinions known, whether on Facebook, in Letters to the Editor, or by rallying, protesting and marching. Nearly all of those present also have made numerous phone calls and sent emails to their elected officials who are to be representing them.
Another reason for rallying and protesting is to gain support from one another. In times like we are experiencing, it is easy to feel discouraged and alone. By coming
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together, we feel strength in numbers and camaraderie of others who are like minded. Michelle Obama encouraged us to“ do something” in a rousing speech she made at the Democratic Convention. We did something, and it felt good. We have received much feedback from community members thanking us for taking a stand. We are hoping those individuals will join us at our next rally / protest / march.
With hope for continued liberty and justice for all, Chris Carpenter Gallagher
Coshocton
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Don Dal Ponte
Leech, Scherbel & Peddicord has merged with Gottlieb, Johnston, Beam & Dal Ponte, PLL
A Full Service Law Firm Since 1962
240 South Fourth Street Coshocton, Ohio 43812
740-622-0166
Miles Fries
BF-155809 jsellers @ alonovus. com
Letters to the Editor must be 500 words or less, should include name and place of residence, and include no personal attacks. Letters will be published based on availability of space, and AloNovus Corp. reserves the right not to publish and to edit for clarification purposes. Letters should be emailed to Editor Josie Sellers at jsellers @ alonovus. com.