by Robert Wilkinson
Yes, and apparently other times as well.
Even though the Autumnal Equinox (in the Northern Hemisphere) occurs 7:29 pm PDT September 22, 3:29 am BST September 23, I figured I’d post this today so you can experiment if you’re so inclined!
It's an old tradition to balance eggs on the Equinoxes. Apparently it began in China centuries ago at the Spring (Vernal) Equinox as some sort of spring fertility ritual. I originally heard that it was specifically associated with the Autumnal Equinox, but couldn't find anything on line to support that as being a more important ritual time than Spring, even though some ancient cultures thought the year began in the Autumn rather than the Spring.
Anyway, after doing some research, I found that we can seemingly balance eggs on their ends any day of the year, and a) there's no "scientific" basis for Equinox-only egg balancing, b) some eggs cannot be balanced due to their shape, and c) successfully balancing eggs on end has more to do with the patience and disposition of the one balancing the egg than other factors. And with practice we are told it becomes easier!
So there you have it, loyal readers. We CAN balance an egg on its end tomorrow. And it seems most any other day as well, if the egg is shaped right and we have the patience.
Happy Equinox!!
© Copyright 2014 Robert Wilkinson
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