Happy Fall Equinox
Mindful Ways to Celebrate the Fall Equinox and Welcome the Fall!
Happy Fall 🍂
Happy Fall Equinox 🌅
All about coming back to balance 🧘🏻♀️
WHAT IS FALL EQUINOX? The equinox is the point in time that the sun crosses equator. It is an astronomical event that happens at the exact same moment across the world but is converted to local time. On the exact moment of the equinox, the sun shines directly on the equator before continuing its journey south or north, depending on the time of year.
The word equinox is derived from Latin, meaning “equal night.” On each equinox, the sun shines directly on the equator and the length of day and night are said to be approximately the same on the day that the equinox happens. Here in the Northern Hemisphere, once the sun crosses over earth’s equator in the month of September, it will continue south, and the we will begin to experience the cooling temperatures and golden foliage characteristic of the fall. This means that after the autumnal equinox, each day will get shorter, and, each night will get longer until the sun reaches it’s southernmost declination on the night of the winter solstice–the longest night of the year- on December 21st.
All things must die before they can be reborn, and all spiritual ascent requires descent first. We are a reflection of the universe that surrounds us, what takes place outside of us, also takes place within us.
This means that those who long for the light must first face the darkness within themselves.
It is on the autumnal equinox, that this stage of inner preparation. In order to make way for the return of the sun on the winter solstice, and it’s rebirth on the spring vernal equinox.
This is why it is so important to use this time of universal balance to hold gratitude in your heart for the life lessons that have helped you grow, and let go of everything else.
For the soul, the autumnal equinox is also a time of harvest. Long ago, when we were connected to the Earth, this was the time we celebrated the harvest before the darker days ahead. Early societies understood the importance of feasting with your neighbors to create a village. Without each other, they could not survive, so they feasted together to celebrate, to create community, and to give thanks.
Celebrate autumn equinox, or Mabon, by harvesting your inner fruits of awareness and finding gratitude for the seeds that you have both reaped and sown… The good, the bad, and the ugly. Celebrate by cooking a bountiful fall meal to welcome this new season.
HOW TO CELEBRATE FALL EQUINOX
1. MAKE A GRATITUDE LIST
The autumnal equinox is a time of harvest. Make a list of everything you are thankful for as a way of reaping your inner harvest. Better yet, start a gratitude journal. Gratitude brings abundance.
If you don’t know where to begin, start with the food you have to eat and the roof over your head. It will flow naturally from there. May your inner harvest be bountiful!
2. RESTORE BALANCE IN THE HOME
Because night and day are approximately the same lengths, the equinox is a great day to create equilibrium in the home. Restore balance by doing a fall deep cleaning. Get rid of anything that you no longer need to make space for inner abundance.
Next, use the power of rhythm and routines to help you get organized and provide a framework for your day. A daily rhythm can also increase productivity and assist you with time management.
3. BEGIN SOMETHING NEW TO PREPARE FOR AN ABUNDANT (INNER & OUTER) HARVEST
The fall equinox is a great time of year to create goals or start a project.
Make a list of everything you’ve been wanting to do.
Pick your top three choices.
Make a plan to start one and go from there.
We also like to establish seasonal routines that create a connection to the world we live in, and, add meaning to our family life. This is one of the many reasons that we like to celebrate the fall equinox.
4. VISIT A LOCAL FARM
Head to a local farm, or your local farmers market. You can also go apple and pumpkin picking with your family! Pick up some traditional autumn harvest foods: corn, squash, zucchini, apples, pumpkins, etc.
5. EAT A FALL HARVEST MEAL
Create a meal from local seasonal foods!
Spend some time this season educating your children with farm to table experiences that they will remember for the rest of their lives. It’s the traditional things that we do with our families that create the most meaning in our lives.
Check out my Fall Recipes on Pinterest.
Here are a few recipes to get you started:
Breakfast ideas:
Lunch Ideas:
Dinner
6. ADD FALL DECOR TO YOUR HOME
Autumn decorations are fun to make on or after the fall equinox to add to your DIY home decor. Decorate your home with fall arts, and autumn crafts to welcome the season of fall.
One of our favorite ways to decorate for the fall is with a Fall Nature Table.
9. MEDITATE AND/OR PRACTICE YOGA
Practice yoga or spend time meditating on the equinox, and dive deep into the spiritual meaning of the Fall Equinox.
10. GO HIKING
New York has so many beautiful hiking trails to offer within 1hr from the city. And the fall foliage is magnificent to witness at the top of the mountain. Grab your family and head upstate! It feels good to step out of the city from time to time.
May you find balance, may you find peace in letting go, and may your inner and outer harvest be bountiful!
Happy Fall!
Love & Light
Diana