The Spiritual Meaning of the Autumn Equinox | Spirituality+Health
When it’s too cold to be outside hunting, building, or farming, it’s time to go inside and listen to your teachers. Explore the spiritual meaning of the Autumn Equinox.
The word equinox is a Latin word meaning equal night. The Autumn Equinox, usually falling around the 22nd of September, is a time when day and night are roughly equal in length. At this turning point, the fall season begins and nights become longer than the days in the Northern Hemisphere. (In the Southern Hemisphere, the Autumn Equinox falls around March 22nd.) Energetically, the Autumn Equinox is a time of balance and pause, a transitional moment between the bright half of the year and the dark half of the year.
The spiritual energies of the spring and summer season are very different from fall and winter. As we enter what could be considered Moon Season, we begin to spend more time in darkness and see the moon in the sky for longer periods of time. This is a shift between the extroverted spring/summer period, which is all about play, pleasure, and connection, and the introverted fall/winter, which is a time for rest, intimate connection, solitude, and reflection.
The Roots of the Autumn Equinox
Traditionally, the Autumn Equinox marks the end of the harvest season, where we take stock of what we have grown and gathered and give thanks for what we have received.
In Canada, Thanksgiving is celebrated on the second Monday of October, much closer to the Autumn Equinox than the American Thanksgiving, which is in late November.
Many modern pagans celebrate this harvest season during the holiday of Mabon, a time for apple picking, feasting, and giving thanks to the gods for the harvest. Indeed, American Thanksgiving, at least according to legend, was originally a harvest celebration shared with the Indigenous Wampanoag people from what is now known as Massachusetts.
How the Autumn Equinox Can Help Us Balance
In addition to gratitude, the Autumn Equinox is an appropriate time to consider and invite balance into your life. The idea of balance may need to be redefined as we move from the bright to the darker half of the year; what kept you balanced in the heat of summer may not work the same way on cooler days. Balance is a constantly shifting equilibrium, and our daily routines and rituals may need to shift with the transition to a new season.
During this time, you may notice yourself naturally turning your attention from the outside world and other people to yourself, your body, your spirit, and your heart. Take a moment to slow down and listen inwardly. Is there something your body is asking you for? Is there a project you have been wanting to begin that needs some deep focus? Is your spirit calling for quieter reflection, or to begin a new commitment?
For many of us, the idea of September as back-to-school season is deeply imprinted. Whether or not we have any engagement with school, this month marks a time to move our attention to the proverbial classroom, encouraging us to seek out learning of all kinds. While late summer is a time for rest and enjoyment, the darker season is a time for more intellectual pursuits.
We may have less energy for physical movement outdoors (though it’s always a good idea to get outside if we can), but there is often an intellectual energy that is ready for a challenge at this time. In many Indigenous cultures, the wintertime was and still is devoted to sitting around the fire while Elders teach children important lessons about life. When it’s too cold to be outside hunting, building, or farming, it’s time to go inside and listen to your teachers.
However this energetic and spiritual shift is landing for you, mark this midpoint moment of the year and welcome the shift to a new type of energy. Happy Autumn Equinox!
Want more autumn magic? Try one of these druid fall rituals for the autumn equinox.
Autumn Spiritual Meaning Neo-Paganism
About the Author
Julie Peters (MA, E-RYT, YACEP) has been practicing yoga and meditation for 25 years and ran Ocean and Crow Yoga Studio in Vancouver, BC, for over a decade. She has written two books: Secrets of the Eternal Moon Phase...
Click for more from this author.
On this day in
1969 Occupation of Alcatraz Island by Native American Activists
On November 20th, 1969, a group of Native American activists, known as the Indians of All Tribes, occupied Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay. This symbolic protest aimed to draw attention to Native American rights and issues.
On this day in
1911 The Doom Bar Shipwreck
The clipper ship "Hera" ran aground on the Doom Bar sandbank off the coast of Cornwall, England, on November 19th, 1911. This maritime disaster became a legendary event, and the shipwreck is still visible during low tide.
On this day in
1307 William Tell Shoots the Apple
Legend has it that on November 18th, 1307, Swiss folk hero William Tell shot an apple off his son's head with a crossbow. This iconic tale has become a symbol of resistance against tyranny.
On this day in
1558 Elizabeth I Ascends to the English Throne
On November 17th, 1558, Elizabeth I became the Queen of England, marking the beginning of the Elizabethan era. Her reign is renowned for its cultural achievements, including the works of William Shakespeare and the flourishing of the arts.
On this day in
1532 Pizarro Captures Incan Emperor Atahualpa
On this day, Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro captured the Incan Emperor Atahualpa in the Battle of Cajamarca. This event played a pivotal role in the Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire and altered the course of South American history.
On this day in
1777 The Articles of Confederation Are Approved
On this day, the Continental Congress adopted the Articles of Confederation, the first constitution of the United States. This document served as the nation's governing framework until the ratification of the U.S. Constitution in 1788, shaping the early years of American governance.
On this day in
1940 Walt Disney's "Fantasia" Premieres
Walt Disney's groundbreaking animated film "Fantasia" premiered on November 13th, 1940. Featuring classical music pieces accompanied by stunning visuals, "Fantasia" revolutionized animation and became a timeless classic.
On this day in
1990 Tim Berners-Lee Publishes a Formal Proposal for the World Wide Web
Tim Berners-Lee, a British computer scientist, published a formal proposal for the World Wide Web on November 12th, 1990. This groundbreaking concept revolutionized information sharing and communication, leading to the internet as we know it today.
On this day in
1918 World War I Armistice Day
On this day, at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918, an armistice was signed, ending the hostilities of World War I. This day is now observed as Remembrance Day in many countries, honoring the sacrifices of military personnel who have lost their lives in the line of duty.
On this day in
1969 Sesame Street Premieres on Television
November 10th, 1969, marked the debut of Sesame Street, a beloved children's television program that revolutionized educational TV. Created by Joan Ganz Cooney and Lloyd Morrisett, Sesame Street has since become an integral part of early childhood education worldwide.
On this day in
1965 The Great Northeast Blackout
A massive power outage struck the northeastern United States and parts of Canada on November 9th, 1965, leaving millions of people without electricity for hours. This event underscored the vulnerabilities of modern infrastructures and led to significant improvements in power grid systems.
On this day in
1895 Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen Discovers X-Rays
On this day, Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen, a German physicist, discovered X-rays while experimenting with cathode rays. This groundbreaking discovery revolutionized the field of medicine, enabling doctors to see inside the human body without invasive procedures and leading to numerous advancements in diagnostics.
On this day in
1944 FDR Wins an Unprecedented Fourth Term as U.S. President
President Franklin D. Roosevelt made history on November 7th, 1944, when he was re-elected for a fourth term as the President of the United States. His leadership during World War II and the Great Depression solidified his legacy as one of America's greatest presidents.
On this day in
1528 Shipwrecked Spanish Conquistadors Begin Journey Through Florida and Texas
On this day, the ill-fated expedition of Spanish conquistador Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca reached the shores of present-day Texas. Shipwrecked and stranded, the survivors began an extraordinary journey through the American Southeast, an ordeal that lasted nearly a decade.
On this day in
1872 Susan B. Anthony Votes Illegally
Pioneering suffragist Susan B. Anthony made history on November 5th, 1872, by casting a vote in the U.S. presidential election, despite women not yet having the right to vote. Her courageous act challenged gender norms and contributed to the ongoing fight for women's suffrage.
On this day in
1957 The Soviet Union Launches Sputnik 2 with Laika, the First Living Creature in Space
The Soviet space program achieved another milestone when they launched Sputnik 2 on November 3rd, 1957, with Laika, a dog, aboard. Laika became the first living creature to orbit the Earth, contributing to the early days of human space exploration.
On this day in
2000 The First Crew Arrives at the International Space Station
The International Space Station (ISS) welcomed its first permanent crew on November 2nd, 2000. This multinational collaboration in space exploration has since been a hub for scientific research and international cooperation, showcasing the potential of humanity's endeavors beyond Earth.
Today is Dia de los Muertos.