Autumn Equinox

What is the significance of the Autumn Equinox?

Autumn Equinox is celebrated around September 21 of each year and signifies the end of the growing season. This would be the second harvest festival of three, with Lughnasadh being the first. This time forward, is for harvesting the crops which includes not only gathering the crops from the field; but also handling, sorting, cleaning, packing, canning, and preserving the food for winter storage.

In ancient times, this was of utmost importance as it was the most labor-intensive time of the growing season and required plenty of hands to help for the survival of the community or tribe through the winter. Even in modern times, this is an important time for agriculture.

Light Decreasing

In addition to the agriculture significance, would be the importance of the sun. This is the day when the light from the sun and darkness is of equal length. This signifies a transitional period in the year as both the Autumn Equinox and Spring Equinox are about the position of the sun in relation to the earth. During Spring, the light from the sun begins to increase until the Autumn Equinox when the light begins to decrease.

The transitional period can be seen through the slant of the sun, changing of the leaves, bird migration, harvesting of the crops, as well as the colder weather and the need for fires once again. In times past, our ancestors who depended on the earth for their very existence, would have community celebrations with rituals of offerings to the

gods and goddesses who ruled over agriculture, crops, and the sun for a successful and bountiful harvest.

Offerings of Gratitude

Appreciation and offerings were very important to them and helped aligned them with the vibrations of the earth. Since this is the time when the light from the sun decreases, they recognized that this was a perfect time to reflect on balance in their personal lives as well as their inner lives. It is important to recognize the light and dark part of your own self so that you can interact with others in a balanced way. Festivities would include games, activities, and crafts that are harvest related, rituals of thanksgiving, stories of old and of the gods and goddesses.

Ways to Honor the Autumn Equinox

Today, we can honor this part of the year by picking apples that are now ripe for the harvest and making your favorite apple dishes. Or perhaps you can spend some time in nature to reflect on change.

Other activities could be:

Celebration of hearth and home
Welcoming the gods and goddesses
Telling stories
Counting your blessings
Honoring the darkness and embracing it physically as well as spiritually.
Organizing a food drive
Harvesting and preserving food from your garden
Personal rituals

Rituals and celebrations and times of giving honor where it is due help us to acquire balance in ourselves in relation to the earth for our existence. It also helps us transition from our focus of one activity to another. Let us honor the earth and the deities that helped make our harvest a success.

To find out more about honoring the seasons check out the link below for The Oracle of the Land, a monthly subscription for honoring each month/season.

How will you honor the change in the (turning of the wheel) season?

Let me know in the comments below.