Equinox (Spring and Autumn)

The equinox marks the beginning of the spring or autumn, when the day and night are of equal length.

History

Equinox celebrations are most significant among farmers and rural communities, but towns and cities often still partake of the celebrations and adapt rural traditions to the urban environment. The Spring Equinox tells farmers to finish preparations for the planting season; the Autumn Equinox is the call to start wrapping up harvest before frost and early winter weather become a threat.

Components and tools

Farmers, craftsmen, and other workers prepare tools and equipment relevant to their livelihood for the Spring Equinox. Autumn Equinox is almost exclusively based around professional goods, be them food or craft. As always, lots of food and drink is expected for nighttime feasting.

Observance

Spring Equinox (Plow-charm 21st)
Any repairs or replacements of professional equipment that haven't taken place are prioritized in the days leading up to Equinox. During the holiday farmers and craftsmen present their tools before their gods, angels, wights, or other spiritual figures to ask for blessings upon the items for the working season.
The month of this holiday, Plow-charm, is a reference to this tradition of asking for blessings upon farm tools, specifically (surprise, surprise) the plow.

Autumn Equinox (Haust 19th)
The first large feast of the harvest season is held on the Autumn Equinox. Farmers leave their nicest crops and/or animal products out in the fields as a "thank you" to the gods and spirits they requested blessings from during the Spring Equinox. Urban workers leave meals on their tables overnight to replicate this notion, and craftsmen adapt this by giving away their finest handiwork for free as a form of sacrifice.