Celebrating the Autumn Equinox
Celebrating with gratitude and honoring the balance of light and dark.
I grew up in the beauty of Northern Michigan, surrounded by the contrast of sparkling fresh water and rolling agricultural land. While each season had its own reason to show off, there was something exceptionally special about fall. The colors of maple trees turning so bright it looked as though their leaves could be flames. The pumpkin patches and apple orchards that line the county roads offering sweet cider and warm donuts that lure in children and adults alike. The cooler days that encourage you to cozy up with a blanket on the porch, favorite cup of coffee or tea in hand, to witness the moments of the year moving on. We’re spoiled here in Michigan with idyllic “fall vibes”.
I sometimes wonder if part of the reason autumn is so treasured is because it feels like the first big exhale of the year. After we came alive in spring and after we’ve embraced the long days of summer, the wheel turns to autumn and we perhaps find ourselves ready to slow down a bit, to regain a touch more balance in our lives, and to reflect on what is worth letting go of… no different than the trees do when it’s time to let go of their leaves.
The Autumn Equinox - also known as Mabon - is the official start to the season and a time when day and night stand in perfect balance. This unique moment marks the second harvest of the season and encourages us to reflect on the year’s growth, express gratitude, and prepare for the coming winter. My hope with this post is to share with you the significance of this celebration, and the meaningful ways you can honor this time of balance, gratitude, and reflection.
Mabon is the second of three harvest festivals (preceded by Lughnasadh and followed by Samhain) and is a time to gather the fruits, grains, and vegetables that have ripened through summer, such as apples, pumpkins, and squash. In ancient cultures, feasts were held to celebrate the hard work of farmers, and offerings were made to the gods to thank them for a bountiful harvest. The Greeks held festivals in honor of Demeter, goddess of the harvest, the Romans celebrated Ceres and in Celtic traditions they honored Mabon (named after the Welsh god Mabon, who symbolized youth and harvest). This time of year also signaled preparation for the colder months, where communities ensured their food supplies were stocked for the winter ahead.
From an astronomical perspective, the Autumn Equinox occurs when the sun crosses the celestial equator, and day and night are of equal length. This rare moment of balance symbolizes harmony and equilibrium in both nature and our own lives. As we move from the brightness and warmth of summer into the darker, cooler months, this day invites us to find balance within ourselves—between light and shadow, activity and rest.
Astrologically, the Autumn Equinox takes place when the sun moves into the sign of Libra, ruled by Venus, the planet of love, beauty, and harmony. Libra, the cardinal air sign of the zodiac, is known for its focus on balance, fairness, and relationships, making this a powerful time for introspection and recalibration. The energy of Libra encourages us to reflect on how well we are balancing our personal, professional, and spiritual lives, and how we can align ourselves more fully with our values and the rhythms of the natural world.
Common Themes of the Autumn Equinox (Mabon) Celebration
Balance:
The core theme of the Autumn Equinox (Mabon) is balance. Just as the earth shifts from light to dark, this day offers us a chance to assess our inner balance. Are we dedicating enough time to both work and rest? Are we nourishing our relationships while caring for ourselves? This is a time to explore what harmony means to us in all aspects of life.
Gratitude and Reflection:
It is also a time to express deep gratitude for what the earth has provided. Whether it’s the physical harvest of food or the metaphorical harvest of personal achievements, this festival invites us to pause, reflect, and give thanks for everything we have received. Gratitude rituals and journaling can help us connect with the blessings we’ve gathered this year, especially as we make our way into darker months.
Preparation for Winter:
While the Autumn Equinox (Mabon) celebrates abundance, it also marks the beginning of our journey into the darker half of the year. Just as ancient communities stored food and prepared for winter, this season encourages us to prepare our inner selves for the quieter, more reflective months ahead.
Rituals and Activities
Simple Rituals:
Gratitude Meditation: Begin your Mabon celebration with a simple gratitude meditation. Find a quiet space, close your eyes, and reflect on everything the past year has brought into your life - both the joys and the challenges. Breathe deeply, and visualize yourself in a state of balance, aligned with the rhythm of the earth. What does that feel like to you? Allow gratitude to fill your heart as you acknowledge the abundance in your life.
Harvest Altar: Create a harvest altar to honor Mabon. Use seasonal items such as apples, pumpkins, autumn leaves, corn, and wheat to decorate the space, and add candles in deep autumnal colors like orange, red, and gold. This altar can serve as a focal point for reflections and mindful moments throughout the season… a spot to help you slow down and honor the season you’re in.
Outdoor Activities:
Nature Walks: Make time to be outside and take a mindful walk in nature to celebrate the changing season. As you walk, collect autumn treasures like colorful leaves, acorns, pinecones, and berries. Notice the shifts in the air, the falling leaves, and the cooler temperatures. Notice the smells of the season like that of fresh apples or the sounds of leaves crunching under your feet. Let this be a time to connect with the natural world through all of your senses.
Autumn Feasts: Gather family and friends for a seasonal feast that celebrates the harvest. Create dishes using root vegetables, apples, squash, and grains - any foods that reflect the abundance of this time. As you eat, express gratitude for the food on your table, the earth’s fertility, and the hard work (from yourself or the farmers) that brought the harvest to fruition.
Creative Projects:
Seasonal Crafts: The Autumn Equinox (Mabon) is a wonderful time to create autumn crafts. Consider making a centerpiece using natural materials like pinecones, corn husks, dried flowers, and colorful leaves. Harvest grapevine to make a wreath or perhaps try your hand at weaving a basket. These projects not only help you celebrate the season but also bring the energy of autumn into your home to be celebrated.
Personal Reflection:
Journaling: Take time to journal about your personal balance and the “harvest” you’ve gathered this year. What goals have you achieved? What relationships or projects have flourished? What do you need to release or let go of as you prepare for winter? Use this reflective process to gain clarity on where you need more balance in your life.
Gratitude Rituals: Create a gratitude list to honor the blessings in your life. Write down everything you’re thankful for, from personal achievements to relationships, from the earth’s abundance to moments of joy… for people, for animals, for work… anything and everything. If you want to take it one step further, perhaps write thank-you notes to people who have supported you throughout the year as a way to spread gratitude and further your connections.
However you choose to honor the day, Mabon is a special time to celebrate the earth’s abundance, find balance in our lives, and prepare for the colder months ahead. Whether through a simple mindful moment, a harvest feast, or an autumn inspired craft project, the equinox offers us the opportunity to slow down, give thanks, and connect more deeply with nature as we honor the balance between light and dark, giving and receiving, work and rest.
Enjoy this celebration, friends.
photo ©Arlyn Flower Farm, 2024