Equinox evokes ancient rite

The clatter of conversation fell to a hush at 6.30 a.m. yesterday as 50 people turned to watch the sun glide up over the horizon, casting its light directly down the main apse of Mnajdra temples.

Heritage Malta organises visits to the prehistoric temples for the equinox and the solstice. On the former, yesterday and on September 22, the sun's rays go down the main axis lighting up the altar at the innermost part of the temple. On the solstices, the sun comes in at a slight angle lighting up corners just to the right or left of the entrance, guide Marlon Briffa explained.

On the spring equinox, the sun rises exactly in the east, travels through the sky for 12 hours and sets exactly in the west.

However, it is not just the alignment that is fascinating. The temple is believed to have been built by a civilisation that worshipped a fertility goddess, closely linked to the idea of life beginning in spring. According to myth, the cycle of life was symbolised by the male sun god meeting Mother Earth.

The group that turned up to watch the equinox was varied. Twelve-year-old Roger Attard Montalto was ready in his school uniform and was already looking forward to coming again. Joanna Vassallo said it was the first time she had made it. "I have wanted to come for as long as I can remember. I wanted to see this at least once before I died," she said.

A group of locals were discussing whether the entrance fee of Lm5 was too steep. Once the sun had come up, one said: "It was worth every penny."

Astrologer Caroline Casey came to Malta from Washington DC on Sunday for the event and will shortly travel to Turkey to see the solar eclipse. Ms Casey, a "visionary activist", was visibly moved by the event.

"It reminds us all of the beautiful symmetry with which we are invited to collaborate," she said.

"It is a rite of spring, something that cultures have revered for over 25,000 years."

She was not the only American there. Betty Seagull from Michigan read about the equinox on the airplane coming here and felt it would be well worth the effort.

"You often have to wake up early to catch a plane so why not get up early to do something so special? It is much more exciting," she said.

The next event will be the summer solstice on June 21 when, in addition to lighting up Mnajdra, the light of the sun passes through a hole in Hagar Qim, projecting a disk of light onto a stone slab at the entrance.

www.heritagemalta.org