Equinoxes And Solstices: 1992-2012
Source: U.S. Naval Observatory

NOTE: all times in this table have now been converted to UT (Universal Time), a more consistently accurate version of what was formerly known as GMT (Greenwich Mean Time). UT is expressed in terms of a 24 hour clock, so 14:42 (often written simply 1442) is 2:42 pm, and 21:17 (2117) is 9:17 pm. Prior to 1925, the GMT day began at noon, so Ephemerides based on GMT were based on noon. This convention (Greenwich Mean Astronomical Time) is no longer used, so modern Ephemerides are based on midnight (00:00). People using older almanacs or ephemerides should be aware of the difference. Since the Mayan Calendar ends in 2012, we thought it apposite to end our table there too. The Naval Observatory continues well beyond that date, so those who prefer a more sanguine approach can view details there for years beyond 2012 (up to 2020, including Aphelion & Perihelion data).

Remember to convert UT to your own local standard time, or to LMT if you are truly concerned about accuracy. If you do not know your time zone, with relation to UT (GMT) click here to use the World Clock Time Zone Converter.

In southern latitudes, of course, the equinoxes are reversed, so that the spring character of Easter in the Northern Hemisphere becomes an autumn celebration in Australia, South Africa, South America, New Zealand and other places south of the equator. This presents something of a problem for Christianity and for Astrology, or any other seasonal philosophy with claims to universality, a question which is partially addressed on this site in Ian Thurnwald's article on the Elemental Qualities, the building blocks of astrology. However, the tropical zodiac seems to delineate cultural forms (archetypes) within the Cosmic Mind. Our connection via the collective unconscious enables us to interpret these forms using astrology, even though the physical seasons may not actually comply with the symbolism.

 The Equinoxes mark the Spring and Autumn Cardinal Points.

Click here to read more on The Equinoxes

 The Solstices mark the Mid-Summer and Mid-Winter Cardinal Points.

Click here to read more on The Solstices

 Precession of the Equinoxes creates the difference between the Sidereal and the Tropical Zodiacs.

Click here to read more on Precession