Jazz great John Coltrane, by all accounts, was deeply spiritual. His piece “Equinox” reflects his belief in celestial rhythms, balance and transition. The title refers to the day when daylight and darkness are equal, symbolizing harmony in nature.
While the spring equinox falls on March 20 this year, true day-night equality actually occurs on March 17 and 18. At approximately 44.6° N, Interlochen is just shy of the 45th Parallel — halfway between the equator and the North Pole.
On the equinox, the Sun rises due east and sets due west, marking what we optimistically call the first day of spring. This phenomenon occurs because Earth is tilted on its axis.
If Earth had no axial tilt, regions along the 45th Parallel would have a stable, moderate climate with equal days and nights year-round.
However, this would eliminate seasonal changes, impacting deciduous trees, annual crops and wildlife migration. The tropics might become uninhabitable, ice caps would be larger and Earth's water systems — oceans and lakes — might be unrecognizable.
Coltrane understood rhythm, balance and transition — both in music and in life. Wishing you a joyful spring!
