Grandview Overlook
East Panel
The horizon location of the sunrise changes with the seasons.
It rises farther south on the winter solstice and rises farthest north on the summer solstice.
Equinox
The term equinox comes from the Latin word equinoxium, meaning "equality between day and night." An equinox is the moment at which which the sun crosses directly over the celestial equator, an imaginary projection of the Earth’s equator into space. At these times, which occur twice a year, day and night are approximately equal length.
In most cultures in the northern hemisphere, the equinoxes mark the beginning of spring and fall. However, the bending of light rays "causes the sun to appear above the horizon when the actual position of the sun is below the horizon.
So on the equinox, the day is a bit longer at higher latitudes than at the equator because it takes the sun longer to rise and set the closer you get to the poles. For the truly equal day/night split, you have to wait a day after the official equinox. That day is called the equilux,
Important Navajo Concepts
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Hozho - Beauty, harmony. This is the central theme of Navajo philosophy. It means harmony and exemplifies a model of living in balance, harmony in health, a long life, happiness, wisdom, knowledge, and the divine.
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T’áá hwó’ ají t’éego - “It’s up to you.” It represents self-determination, self-reliance, independence and personal sovereignty.
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Sa'ah Naaghai Bik'eh Hozhoon - This is the Navajo philosophical world view. It encompasses cultural, practical and spiritual wisdom through stories, songs, prayers, and ceremonies. The four aspects of Sa'ah Naaghai Bik'eh Hozhoon are thinking, planning, living, evaluating.
Navajo Reflections
Today I will walk out, today everything unnecessary will leave me,
I will be as I was before, I will have a cool breeze over my body.
I will have a light body, I will be happy forever, nothing will hinder me.
I walk with beauty before me. I walk with beauty behind me.
I walk with beauty below me. I walk with beauty above me.
I walk with beauty around me. My words will be beautiful.
In beauty all day long may I walk.
Through the returning seasons, may I walk.
On the trail marked with pollen may I walk.
With dew about my feet, may I walk.
With beauty before me may I walk.
With beauty behind me may I walk.
With beauty below me may I walk.
With beauty above me may I walk.
With beauty all around me may I walk.
In old age wandering on a trail of beauty, lively, may I walk.
In old age wandering on a trail of beauty, living again, may I walk.
My words will be beautiful.
Hózhóogo naasháa doo
Shitsijí' hózhóogo naasháa doo
Shikéédéé hózhóogo naasháa doo
Shideigi hózhóogo naasháa doo
T'áá altso shinaagóó hózhóogo naasháa doo
Hózhó náhásdlíí'
Hózhó náhásdlíí'
Hózhó náhásdlíí'
Hózhó náhásdlíí'
