Occurring on Monday, September 23, 2019, @ 2:50 am CST the days will become shorter, the nights will become longer, the trees begin to show their radiant colors, and Summer will come to an end in the northern half of the world. This is a time of equal day and night, occurring only twice a year.
The Autumn Equinox is a meaningful and spiritual time of year to honor the harvest. Whether it be a harvest of the food you have grown, or the harvest of efforts and intentions you have set for your life path earlier in the year. This is a perfect time to acknowledge the abundance in our lives, as we naturally go through cycles of growth, harvest, death, and rebirth just as we see in nature.
The changing seasons are key points in the cycle of life and in nature. Pagan and Indigenous cultures will recognize and celebrate these four key points of the year: the Winter Solstice, Spring Equinox, Summer Solstice, and the Autumn Equinox as being a spiritual cycle that we take within ourselves.
Not only is this a physical transformation for the Earth, the journey is also a very spiritual one. If we think of the Equinoxes and Solstices in terms of life, the year starts on the Winter solstice, matures in the Spring Equinox, and reaches its prime at the Summer Solstice. The Autumn equinox marks the descent into old age, and death.
We can use this time of year and embrace the season with who we want to become, or use it to finish old projects. It is a time when all things must end, and a perfect time to reinvent yourself, or declutter your life. The energy is high so be sure you are using this energy to draw in and heighten your manifestations and give thanks for your abundance.
On the Equinox, you may want to shift your consciousness and honor your abundance with a short meditation. Start with lightning a candle, burn incense that reminds you of Fall, such as cinnamon. Meditate for at least 15 minutes while you give thanks for all that you have, and express your gratitude.
As we express our gratitude…
We must never
Forget that the highest appreciation is
Not to utter words, but to
Live by them
–John Fitzgerald Kennedy
At the same time, consider the seeds or ideas that you planted at the beginning of the year, and how they have grown. Allow those dreams become your reality. Enjoy them as you replace the parts of yourself that no longer work towards your highest good. We all have a certain point in our lives when we must shed what no longer serve us. Much like the trees, and the leaves that they shed they lose their purpose, turn brown, wither, and must be released. Autumn is the time of year where fear is replaced with confidence. We can do this by being mindful and living in the present.
Another way to celebrate this season and to get in touch with your spiritual side is simply to turn off your devices and take a walk outside. Visit an apple orchard, take a walk in the park or your neighborhood. Be mindful of the colors that surround you, the vibrant leaves changing colors, the color of the sky, the scents that hit you and the sights that you see. As you do this, ask yourself what you need to release. What is weighing you down? Pay attention to the nature that is around you, as it reminds us to keep changing, and not allow ourselves to become stuck in an unhappy routine or situation.
I encourage you to take some time this season to connect with the world. Autumn is a magical time of year where we set up our internal space and make room for what is to come in the next year. Take time to acknowledge your life cycle and spiritual path. By becoming quiet and listening to what is emerging within us, we create fertile soil for our creativity to thrive, and empty our lives from what no longer serves us so that we can create a clearer vision towards the future we are wanting. Honor your growth, honor your spiritual path, and honor that which has served your wellness.
Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the Fall
–F. Scott Fitzgerald
May you all have a blessed Autumn Equinox! Much love and many blessings! -Hazel
