Equinoxes occur twice a year when the sun's rays are perpendicular to the equator, resulting in equal periods of daylight and darkness. Solstices occur when the sun is at its maximum northern or southern declination, causing the longest and shortest days of the year in the northern and southern hemispheres respectively. The tilt of the Earth's axis and the sun's changing position throughout the year cause seasons and are vital for many ecosystems and human cultures. However, seasonal changes can negatively impact mood for some, resulting in conditions like seasonal affective disorder, characterized by depression in winter months. Spending time with others, therapy, meditation, and reducing social media can help address issues related to the seasons.

1. THE EQUINOX AND SOLSTICE
BY: BRAN DON FOX

2. OVERVIEW
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• W H AT AR E EQU IN OXES AN D
SOLSTIC ES
• W H ER E AR E TH EY?
• TH EIR EFFEC T ON EARTH
• PROBLEMS
• SOLU TION S

3. EQUINOX
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Equinoxes are the point in time at which
the Sun’s vertical rays strike the equator.
• Fall & Spring
• Equal 12 hours of light and dark
• Autumnal and Vernal equinox
The word equinox itself comes from
Latin and means “the time in which there
is equal day and night”

5. SOLSTICE
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Solstices are the point in time at which
the Sun’s vertical rays strike either the
Tropic of Cancer (23.5 N) or the Tropic
of Capricorn (23.5 S).
• Winter & Summer
• North = Longer, South = Shorter
• Equator still receives 12 hours each
• Circle of Illumination

7. WHERE ARE THEY?
• In the solar system:
• Earth
• Sun
• On Earth, two places are affected
the most.
• Arctic
• Antarctic
• During the June solstice, the Artic
Circle to the North Pole receives
24 hours of daylight while the
Antarctic Circle to the South Pole
receives 24 hours of darkness.
• During the December solstice,
The Antarctic Circle to the South
Pole receives 24 hours of daylight
while the Arctic Circle to the North
Pole receives 24 hours of
darkness.
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9. THEIR EFFECT
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• The tilt of Earth’s axis and the vertical rays from the Sun
are the reasons why we have seasons here on Earth.
• Elimination would destroy the biosphere.
• Vital in human cultures.
• Spring equinox represents rebirth.
• Satellites
• Intense solar radiation during equinox.
• Polar nights.
• Aforementioned photo.

10. I N O L D E N T I M E S , I T M E A N T T H E L O N G D A R K O F W I N T E R W A S F I N A L L Y O V E R , A N D T H I N G S W O U L D
S T A R T G R O W I N G A G A I N A N D T H E W O R L D W O U L D B E R E N E W E D . T H E S O L S T I C E W A S T H E P R O M I S E –
T H A T T H E D A Y S W O U L D N ’ T J U S T K E E P O N G E T T I N G S H O R T E R U N T I L T H E Y D I S A P P E A R E D A L T O G E T H E R .
T H E E Q U I N O X W A S T H E D A Y W H E N T H E P R O M I S E W A S F U L F I L L E D .
- M. R. C AREY, TH E GIRL W ITH AL L TH E GIF TS
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11. SEASONAL AFFECTIVE
DISORDER
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DEPRESSION
•Occurs around the winter
solstice
•Increased rates of
melancholy and feelings of
loneliness
MANIA
Occurs around the summer
solstice
Increased rates of ecstasy
and hyperactivity
THEORIES
Lack/abundance of vitamin
D during the
winter/summer interim
Frequency illusion
FINDINGS
No significant change
regarding vitamin D levels
Amount of daylight does
influences us
psychologically

12. WHAT CAN WE DO?
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HANG OUT
•See friends or family more
often than usual
•Face-to-face connection
rather than online
THERAPY
Talk about it to your
therapist
Informal therapeutic talks
with loved ones
MEDITATION
Be aware that SAD isn’t
common and is a subset of
major depression
Change of mentality goes a
long way
SOCIAL MEDIA
Reduce social media usage
Negative effects of social
media is more
concentrated during winter
and summer

13. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING!