When Day Meets Night: A Thorn Ridge Take on the Fall Equinox
Today, the day and night call a truce. For just a moment, they shake hands, split the sky right down the middle, and remind us that balance isn’t just possible, it’s happening. The above image was taken by one of my sons at sunset during last year's Fall Equinox at Thorn Ridge.
The Fall Equinox is when light and dark share the stage, and here at Thorn Ridge, we think that’s worth celebrating. But don’t expect us to get too serious about it. Equinox or not, somebody’s still got to feed the horses (usually me).
What Exactly Is the Fall Equinox?
If you’re wondering “what is the Fall Equinox and why is it important,” here’s the simple version: it happens twice a year, once in March and once in September, when the sun crosses the celestial equator. On this day, daylight and nighttime hours are nearly equal everywhere on Earth.
Ancient cultures, such as the Druids Greeks, Mayans, and other cultures, saw this as a turning point, marking the start of the harvest season in the Northern Hemisphere. From building bonfires to giving thanks for crops, they treated the equinox as a sacred moment of balance.
At Thorn Ridge, we like to think of it as nature’s reminder to slow down, gather what matters (both literally and metaphorically), and prepare for the cozy, darker months ahead.
What Balance Really Looks Like
Every year, folks online will tell you to “honor the balance of nature.” And sure, we get it, balance is beautiful and very important for your soul. But out here, balance also means:
- Carrying two buckets of water without spilling it on your boots.
- Balancing work with stopping to watch the sunset over the pasture.
- Balancing coffee in one hand and a very determined barn cat in the other.
It’s not just cosmic, it’s practical. It’s messy. And sometimes it smells like horses and hay and stalls that need to be mucked out.
A Little Fall Chaos is Part of the Deal
Let’s be honest, the September Equinox isn’t just about perfect symmetry. It’s about change. Daylight starts getting shorter, evenings come sooner, and suddenly you’re racing the sun to finish chores.
And you know what that involves:
- Realizing you need to find the flashlight again.
- Rescuing a chicken who decided dusk was the perfect time to take off down the road.
- Debating if it’s too early to break out the flannel (spoiler: it’s never too early, even in Florida).
A Thorn Ridge Equinox
We celebrate the autumn equinox by leaning into what it teaches, by finding the sweet spot between hustle and hush.
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Morning: Coffee on the porch, watching the fog roll off the fields. Or if you're in South Florida, sitting on the beach watching the sun rise.
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Midday: Work hard, because those daylight hours are slipping by fast.
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Evening: Pause and soak it in. The light is golden this time of year, the kind that makes even muddy boots look like art.
And if you want to go full Thorn Ridge with it, roll on a cedarwood cologne, light a candle, and make the kind of evening that smells like crisp air and woodsmoke.
Our Official Fall Equinox Advice
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Eat something pumpkin-flavored even if you swear you’re over it. (South Florida friends know Publix has the best pumpkin pies!)
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Find a leaf that looks like it was hand-painted just for you. Or a sea shell with beautiful coloring.
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Take one deep breath before the sun goes down and tell yourself: “I did enough today.”
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And if your life feels out of balance? Good. That means you’re living. Perfect balance can be overrated and is hard to find. Sometimes a little tilt keeps things interesting and opens awareness.
Celebrate with Thorn Ridge
If you want to mark the season, we’ve got ways to make it cozy:
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Sherpa Blankets: For when the nights start sneaking in early and you want to cozy up in front of a fire.
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Roll-On Colognes and Fragrance Mists: Scents that make autumn feel like a memory you can wear or spray throughout your home.
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Mugs: Because cider just tastes better with the right words on the side.
Find something that feels like your version of balance. Embrace it, and carry it with you.
Final Thought
The fall equinox meaning isn’t about getting everything perfect. It’s about noticing the shift. The way the light leans golden, the way the air smells sharper, the way you start craving slower evenings and warmer drinks.
Balance isn’t standing still. It’s a dance. And today, Thorn Ridge is dancing right along with you.
