The Autumn Equinox
The Autumn Equinox: A time of Balance, Surrender & the Turning Inward
The wheel turns once more and we find ourselves standing at the threshold of the Autumn Equinox where the light and dark meet in perfect balance before the days begin to shorten. The air has changed; holding the crisp promise of the cooler months to come and the earth around us is shifting. Leaves which were once vibrant and green are now ablaze in hues of amber, russet and ochre before they gently drift to the ground. The scent of damp soil lingers as the season invites us to slow, to gather and to prepare for the descent.
In honour of this sacred transition, I offer these words—a weaving of folklore, tradition and embodied wisdom, with deep gratitude to Sharon Bolt and Sara Brooke for the Wheel of the Year container I journeyed through last year.
The Turning of the Season: A Dance of Light & Shadow
Autumn is a time of release, mirroring nature’s quiet surrender. The trees do not resist the shedding of their leaves; instead, they offer them freely to the earth, trusting in the cycle of renewal. The once bright landscapes of summer now soften into deeper tones and there is an unspoken knowing in the air—that what has bloomed must now be harvested and what has served its purpose must now be let go.
This is a liminal space where we are called to honour the light while welcoming the darkness. The Equinox is a moment of equal day and night and asks us to reflect:
• Where in our own lives is balance needed?
• What have we nurtured that is now ready to be harvested?
• What are we still clinging to that is ready to be released?
Nature shows us that transition is not something to fear, but something to surrender to.
Folklore & Traditions of the Autumn Equinox
I have always been fascinated by Folklore and the ancient ways. Throughout history, this time of year has been marked by traditions that honor the harvest, the changing light and the turning inward.
The Autumn Equinox has been celebrated for centuries across various cultures, steeped in rich folklore and mystical traditions. This sacred time marks a powerful intersection between the light and the dark, providing an invitation to explore both the harvest of abundance and the release of the old. Let’s journey deeper into the stories, symbols and traditions tied to this time of balance.
MABON: THE SECOND HARVEST FESTIVAL
In the Celtic Wheel of the Year, Mabon (Autumn Equinox) is a festival that bridges the physical and spiritual realms. The name “Mabon” is derived from a Welsh deity of the same name, who was said to be a child of the Earth, connected to the harvest and seasonal cycles. Mabon as the second harvest celebrates the abundance of the earth and the balance of light and dark. It is a time to give thanks for what has been nurtured and to reflect on the seasons of life that we have journeyed through.
This is a time of feast and preparation, where grains and fruits are gathered and the first wine presses are made. Foods like apples, pumpkins and root vegetables—symbols of fertility and sustenance—are prominent to Mabon celebrations, often represented as offerings to honour the earth’s generosity. The rituals around Mabon remind us to reflect on the richness of the year’s experiences while making peace with the inevitable turn towards the quiet of winter.
THE DESCENT OF PERSEPHONE (Greek Mythology)
One of the most profound myths tied to the Autumn Equinox is the story of Persephone, the Greek goddess who is taken to the Underworld by Hades. Her descent symbolises the transition from the light half of the year to the darker months. In her story, Persephone’s journey underground represents not only the seasonal cycle but also the cycles within ourselves—the ebb and flow of our internal light and shadow.
Persephone’s descent is seen as an integral part of the natural world’s cycle. It is through her descent that the earth’s fertility wanes, leading to the quieter, darker months of winter. Yet she also holds the key to the spring’s eventual return embodying the cyclical nature of life, death and rebirth. Persephone’s story invites us to honour the depths, to embrace the darkness as a necessary part of transformation and to allow ourselves to rest before the eventual renewal.
THE WHEEL OF THE YEAR (Pagan Traditions)
For those who follow the Wheel of the Year, the Autumn Equinox is not just about the harvest but also a moment to honor the God and Goddess. It is a time when the God— often depicted as a figure of light— begins his descent into the underworld, representing the dying of the sun. The Goddess begins her transformation into the Crone, the wise one and this marks the beginning of her reign through the dark months.
The Wheel of the Year reflects the eternal dance between light and dark, creation and destruction, birth and death. During the Autumn Equinox, Pagans may celebrate with rituals that mark the balance of day and night; acknowledging the gifts of both. Rituals often include lighting candles, offering fruits and grains and honouring the cycles of the harvest, all while reflecting on what they are ready to release.
THE SABBAT OF MABON: RITUALS & OFFERINGS
In many traditions, Mabon is celebrated with bonfires, feasts and offerings to the land. The fire which symbolises the sun’s dying light, is lit to honor the passing of the light and the upcoming dark months. This fire can be used in rituals where you burn herbs or incense, sometimes accompanied by the singing of songs or the telling of ancient stories. Rituals may include gathering around the fire to dance, share food and celebrate the community’s connection to the earth.
Mabon also aligns with the traditional harvest of wine, symbolising abundance and celebration. Wine— especially elderberry or apple wine— is often used in rituals as a gesture of giving back to the earth. This offering connects us with the ancient practice of giving thanks for what has been provided and sharing the harvest with the spirits of the land.
THE AUTUMN EQUINOX IN NATIVE AMERICAN TRADITION
In many Native American cultures the Autumn Equinox is seen as a time of harvest, yet it also has spiritual significance. The balance of day and night symbolises the balance within ourselves—the dance between light and dark, the seen and unseen. Certain Native American tribes celebrated the equinox with ceremonies that invoked blessings for the harvest and set intentions for the coming winter months. These ceremonies were often marked by prayers of thanksgiving, songs and dances that honoured the earth and its cycles.
THE ROLE OF THE FULL MOON CLOSE TO THE AUTUMN EQUINOX
When the Full Moon shines near the Autumn Equinox, her energy amplifies the themes of release, reflection and harvest. The Full Moon’s light invites us to examine our lives more fully, to gather up the fruits of our emotional labour and to release what no longer serves our growth. Grandmother Moon, representing the feminine and cyclical nature of life, mirrors the rhythms of the Earth and guides us in both celebrating our abundance and honoring our shadow.
A FINAL REFLECTION ON FOLKLORE & SPIRITUALITY
The Autumn Equinox is a liminal space which stands between the light and dark, offering us an invitation to pause and reflect on what we have harvested in our own lives. Across cultures and traditions, the stories of the season offer potent teachings. Whether through the myth and story of Persephone’s descent, the offerings to the earth during Mabon, or the quiet rituals of Native American peoples, the turning of the season invites us into a space of deep reverence for both life and death, light and shadow.
By leaning into these traditions, we too can find our place in the cycle, honouring the turning inward that is required of us at this time of year. We are reminded that it is not in resistance, but in surrender that we find balance. The Autumn Equinox calls us to be both present and at peace with the turning of the seasons.
Offerings & Rituals
Many traditions mark this time with offerings of wine, fruit and bread, honouring the land that has given so generously. Fires are lit, candles burned and intentions set for the coming months. It is a time of reflection, of sitting with what is, of honoring the transitions both within and without.
Navigating the Descent in Winter with Grace
As the days shorten and the cool air whispers of winter’s approach, we are invited into a slower, more intentional rhythm. In a world that often resists rest, autumn reminds us that rest is not a luxury—it is a sacred part of the cycle. It can be easy to forgot the cycles, to dismiss the natural and ancient ways, though we are in a time of Remembrance. We are calling forth the old ways, the ancient ways, the natural ways. We are remembering the rhythms of nature and surrendering to these rhythms.
Slowing Down & Honouring Rest
Now is the time to ease into a gentler pace, to listen to what the body and spirit need. Consider shifting from high-energy practices to more nourishing ones: yin yoga, breathwork, herbal infusions and long, grounding walks beneath golden canopies. What practices are to be let go of and what ones are ready to come through to support you?
Releasing & Letting Go
Much like the trees that shed their leaves, we are called to release. Old patterns, beliefs, relationships, or commitments that no longer serve us—this is the time to let them fall away with grace. Journaling, burning rituals, or simply speaking aloud what you are ready to release can be powerful practices. Ritualising release is something I am deeply passionate about, bringing tangible practices into the space. Ritualising the change of seasons and honouring what is needing to be let go of is a powerful way to deepen your connection into the rhythms of nature and life.
Winter’s approach does not need to be met with resistance. There is wisdom in the darkness, a call to go within, to reflect, to replenish. Let this be a season of deep nourishment—physically, emotionally and spiritually.
A SIMPLE AUTUMN EQUINOX RITUAL
YOU WILL NEED:
• A candle (gold, orange, or deep red)
• A bowl of soil
• A fireproof bowl
• A piece of paper and a pen
THE PRACTICE:
1. Light your candle and take a few deep breaths, settling into the moment.
2. Reflect on the balance of light and dark—both in nature and within yourself.
3. On the piece of paper, write down something you are grateful for (your harvest) and something you are ready to release (your shedding).
4. Hold the paper, speaking your gratitude aloud, then tear off the part that represents what you are letting go. Burn the piece you are letting go of. Watch as it turns to ash as you release it.
5 With the piece that has your gratitude, bury it in the earth as a symbolic offering. You have been given this and now you are offering it back to the Earth.
6. Sit in stillness, feeling the presence of the shifting season and when you are ready, blow out the candle, knowing the cycle continues.
Closing Thoughts
The Autumn Equinox is not an ending—it is a threshold, a sacred in-between where we can pause, breathe and honour all that has been before stepping into what is to come.
Let yourself soften into this season. Let yourself be held by the rhythms of the earth. The journey inward is not one of isolation, but one of deep nourishment and remembering.
May you walk this descent with grace, knowing that in the darkness, new seeds are waiting to be planted.
With love,
TJ