Transequilux

TRANSEQUILUX

('Transition to Equal Light', Midway between Nox & Equilux)

WHAT IT IS AND WHEN

Transequilux is 45 days before the Equilux (vernal equinox). The Borealis Equilux is the Globus New Year. For both hemispheres Transequilux is a time considered to be the first light of the Year, where Equilux proper is considered the Daybrink, Day Turning, Dawn and Revertosol ('turn back to sun') - the moment when the earth's east horizon crosses the sun's disc. Due to it being the time of year when the day and night are equal going into longer days. So Transequilux is a time considered to "prepare for a new day".

When Transequilux Is On The Year Wheels

Click on images to view in greater detail

Gavia ('Loon') - Borealis Kalendar ('Northern Hemisphere Calendar')

Sphenisci ('Penguin') - Australis Kalendar ('Southern Hemisphere Calendar')

Follow this link to learn more about the Australis/Borealis & Globus Kalendars

For the Gregorian calendar the date it falls on is
February 3-4 for Borealis (Northern Hemisphere)
August 5-6 for Australis (Southern Hemisphere)

Event Kalendar

Make an Event Kalendar for use throughout the year. It is typically a wooden box that has 31 numbered cubbyholes, each with a short sleeve attached to it - so that you can't peek into it before the day of reaching in and grabbing what's inside. Each day, starting from the beginning of the mensis (month) before the Solis Festivitas (solar festivity) to the Solis Festivitas proper, you reach in and grab what's inside. Usually it involves an activity (especially those that are seasonally relevant) and sometimes a treat or toy, or an item to help you start the makings of a seasonal craft, treat or toy.

Event Kalendar Length
For Transmensis Solis Festivitas (solar festivities of transition months: Feliformia, Anura, Ciconii, and Artiodactyla) the Event Kalendar has the cubbyholes filled and sleeves out for the first 15 days of the mensis, and the rest are empty with the sleeves tucked in. For the Solis Mensis (solar months - months that are adjacent to the solar event: equinoxes and solstices) the Event Kalendar begins on the beginning of the mensis prior to the Solis Festivitas, sometimes with the last cubbyhole empty and sock tucked in for the shorter mensis.

Event Kalendar Activities
Most of the first day activities revolve around getting the supplies for the Solis Festivitas, with the next few days involving the making of items to be ready before the Solis Festivitas. Most commonly are greeting cards made and sent out, and getting in touch with folks you want to have the event with. Shortly after that it is decorating for the Solis Festivitas, then making food stuffs for the event and sharing some with neighbors. Interspersed with games or a "game day" (such as a start paper for a scavenger hunt to a gift), treats, playing (seasonal recreation: building a snowman, snowball fight, kite flying, swimming, building a fort, sports etc.), "movie night", and going out for some entertainment and fun. On the last day you dress in seasonal costume and celebrate.

TRANSEQUILUX ACTIVITIES

The arts are celebrated with art shows, performances, and craft fairs.

Bonfire

Festivities begin at dusk of the night of the 15th with a bonfire where the community can gather. Food is shared in a potluck fashion, along with songs sung and music played through the evening, marking the ending of long nights. The following morning the community gathers again where games are played and house warming gifts and gifts for those expecting the next generation are exchanged.

Womb Loom

Empty Canvas, a newly made Womb Loom

The Womb Loom represents bringing together the things that make up the place we live. It is hung above the threshold of the home, it is made of branches tied together with strings of jute, bark strips or reeds to make the frame, then strings/strips are tied evenly across it. Plants found in wanderings throughout the year are pressed, then woven between the strings/strips. It is made on Transequilux, filled between Equilux and Equinox, buried or left to rot on Transnox, and made again next Transequilux.

Transequilux Letters

As greeting cards, Transequilux Letters are sent this time of year. These letters are written with a candlestick and a small penned note on the outside on how to reveal the message - "brush over with dye in water". Hidden messages are made in tune with the secretive shy creatures that represent this mensis (month) which make for a starting point in learning more about them. It is also a very fun way to reconnect or to keep each other in good cheer.

Original Image: 'Secret Messages with Birthday Candles and Watercolors' from Play Create Explore

The Hidden Hunt

On Transequilux morning The Hidden Hunt is played. It starts with a first clue that is a riddle on where to find the next clue. Each one leading to the other until the Hidden Creature is found. The first clue can be drawn from the Event Kalendar. All clues lead to learning more about the themed creature, being hidden in places that creature likes. The hidden creature represents the current mensis Transequilux is on; for Borealis it is the Lynx, and for Australis it is the Ibis, but other secretive creatures can be represented from region to region and even year to year. When the Hidden Creature is found (a pinata in its shape) it is opened to reveal festive treats themed after it and shares some secrets about its skills that can be useful or has shown to be already used by humans inspired by it. The more a player knows about this creature, the better they'd be at the hunt.

Crafting & Expecting Young

Transequilux is an excuse to try making something, be it for yourself or someone else, especially if it will aid in the year ahead. For many regions, according to the promoted marital customs of Ehoah, there would be a number of expecting mothers early in their pregnancy this time of year so they would be in our minds for many of our creations. Whether it be making the new parent to be more comfortable or preparing for their new bundle of joy. In these same regions birds will be migrating back and preparing for their own little ones, so nesting orbs (short loose fibers bundled into a ball and placed in trees) and wool trees (strips of loose wool placed all over a tree) are made and put outside for the birds to nest build with.

House Cleaning

As the year is about cross into the 'day' part of the year, there are many themes on preparing for the new beginnings. Households begin to thoroughly clean out the old and unused to donate, reuse and salvage, and downsize to what is truly used and enjoyed. An easy way to go about downsizing is empty a room and as you bring each item back in, if you haven't used it in a year, don't keep it.