The Spring (or Vernal) Equinox occurs in March. The word equinox comes from the Latin aequus (equal) and nox (night). Twice a year, the sun crosses the celestial equator going from south to north and the earth’s two hemispheres are receiving the sun’s rays equally. Night and day are approximately equal in length, but are exactly equal in length at the equator–where the sun is directly overhead at noon on each equinox. The next day, the days get longer (Vernal Equinox) or shorter (Autumnal Equinox). This happens on March 19, 20 or 21 and September 22 or 23, respectively. Traditionally, the equinox marks the beginning of Spring or Fall.
The equinox has been recognized for thousands of years. The early Egyptians built the Great Sphinx so that it points directly toward the rising Sun on the day of the vernal equinox. In Japan, a week of Buddhist services, the Higan, recognizes each equinox. The Iranian new year is celebrated during the March equinox. It’s also World Storytelling Day and World Citizen Day. Many Middle Eastern countries celebrate Mother’s Day on the Vernal Equinox and at Chichén Itzá in Mexico, the sun creates the illusion of a snake winding down the steps of the El Castillo pyramid on each equinox.
This year, the March equinox will happen all over the world at exactly 6:29 AM Eastern Daylight Time on March 20!
As the founder and managing director of Destination Sitters, LLC, a national hotel and event babysitting service, and the mother of two children, I strongly believe that family comes first. I personally needed babysitting when I moved to San Diego 14 years ago. Like most parents, I assumed there were standards for temporary babysitting; in reality, there are no state standards or licensing requirements for temporary babysitting. The idea for Destination Sitters was born! I wanted to Give Parents Peace of Mind® when traveling with their children, so I created strict screening requirements for the sitters we refer. There is nothing like the peace of mind that comes from getting great professional help to care for your children, especially when traveling away from home. I and my partners, along with our office staff, have that one goal in mind with everything we do.
Through the years of working with children, I have been inspired to write three books, and this blog for parents’ and children’s wellbeing. I believe the best way to teach a child is leading by example, with love, honesty, integrity, compassion, perseverance, and personal responsibility. Learning these values and teaching children that all women and men are equal will encourage them to dream big to be anything they want to be!
An entrepreneur for over 35 years, I previously spent years running a construction and design company with two offices in California and built million-dollar estates and remodeled existing ones. For three and half years, I was one of the primary designers on HGTV’s Curb Appeal. I have also been published in books, magazines and newspapers, and have been a featured designer in multiple showcase houses.
