How to celebrate Autumn Equinox

The Autumn Equinox is a moment of balance and reflection. It invites us to celebrate the harvest, embrace gratitude, and seek equilibrium in our lives.

As we bid farewell to the warmth of summer and welcome the cool embrace of autumn, we find ourselves at the Autumn Equinox. This natural event, also known as Mabon, holds deep cultural and spiritual significance across the world.

The word “equinox” comes from the Latin, meaning “equal night.” During the Autumn Equinox, which usually occurs around September 21st or 22nd in the Northern Hemisphere, the day and night are of nearly equal length. This phenomenon occurs because the Earth’s axis is neither tilted away nor toward the sun, resulting in a balance between light and darkness.

The equinoxes, both spring and autumn, symbolise balance. They remind us that life is a delicate interplay between opposites: day and night, light and dark, growth and decay. As we observe this celestial event, it encourages us to reflect on the balance we seek in our own lives.

One of the central themes of the Autumn Equinox is the celebration of the harvest, sometimes referred to as the second harvest, the first being Lammas. This tradition has roots in agrarian societies, where the equinox marked the time to reap the fruits of a year’s labour from the fields. In modern times, it’s an opportunity to express gratitude for the abundance in our lives for example; family and friends, health, food on our table, joy, serenity, whatever is important to you.

How to celebrate the Autumn Equinox

Sharing food

Just as our ancestors celebrated the harvest with feasts, you can organise a seasonal dinner with family and friends. Savour the flavours of autumn by incorporating seasonal foods from wherever you live. Here in Somerset we have an abundance of delicious apples! You could make preserves using fruits and nuts foraged from hedgerows such as blackberries, elderberries, hazel and walnuts.

Walking in Nature

Take a quiet stroll in nature to fully appreciate the beauty of the changing season. The reds and oranges of foliage and the soft gentle air as plants slow down or die having produced seeds for the next year. This connects us directly to what is happening in nature at this time of year.

Balance

Take this time to reflect on areas of your life where you seek balance. Whether it’s finding a work/life balance or nurturing the balance within yourself, the equinox serves as a reminder of this essential aspect of life.

Gratitude

Practice gratitude by recognising and appreciating the abundance in your life. Take a moment each day to be thankful for simple blessings that surround you. It can be a moment of sunshine on a rainy day or a smile from a stranger.

Letting Go

Just as trees shed their leaves in preparation for winter, consider what you need to release in your life. Let go of old habits, negative thought patterns or items that no longer serve you.