FALL EQUINOX RYTHM & RITUALS
Today is the Fall Equinox (Mabon as it’s referred to in the Celtic Wheel of the Year).
A powerful time of solar balance when night and day are the same length.
It’s time to be in harvest and in appreciation for all that you feel nourished by, and also time to release what you’ve outgrown and make space. To rest. To Digest. To Heal. To simply be.
Create your own self guided ceremony to celebrate this season of clearing and release. Let your intuition and senses guide you.
Consider creating Fall Altar with meaningful symbols of what you’ve been nurturing this year, as well as symbols of harvest and release (leaves, apples, corn, wheat, dried flowers). Include colours reflected in nature such red, yellow, gold. Let your senses and intuition guide you!
On the day of the equinox, light your favorite candle and create a self guided ceremony using these journaling prompts as a guide:
1. Reflect on the blessings you’ve received this year.
The Autumn Equinox is the time of the final harvest. When people lived more closely connected to the Earth, and grew all their food, this was the time of year they’d celebrate the summer’s abundance.
What abundance did you experience this summer? What blessings have you received? Take a moment and express real gratitude for these harvests.
2. Reflect on your personal harvests.
These are the things you’ve put energy and effort into over the last several months. And, the fruits of that beautiful effort.
What are the things in your life and within yourself that you’ve been tending and nurturing?
Think about things outside of yourself–your projects, and creations … What important projects have you brought to fruition? What are some accomplishments that you’re proud of?
But, also reflect on the things within yourself you’ve been working on. What changes have you been working on? And how have you grown since the beginning of the year?
3. Be proud of yourself.
Take a look at the things you wrote about above. Sit with those for a moment. Really recognize the things you’ve accomplished and the hard work you’ve put in.
And, even if it feels cheesy, (because we’re not used to praising ourselves. Far easy to tear ourselves down, right? Which makes this next reflection so important) …
Write a note to yourself and express how proud you are of all the hard work you’ve done this year. Talk to yourself like you would a beloved friend, or your child, and let yourself know how proud you are of all your accomplishments.
4. Reflect on balance in your life.
The Autumn Equinox is 1 of only 2 days throughout the year when the Earth is in perfect balance. That makes it an ideal time to examine balance in our own lives.
In what areas of your life to you feel really well balanced? Where do you feel like you’re rockin’ it?
Where do you feel out of balance? Why do you think that is? Give yourself 1 action item to bring things back into alignment.
5. Prepare to let go.
In Autumn we are drawn, in particular, to the balance between life and death. Everything is dying all around us. And that death is necessary, in order for new life to grow in the spring.
That’s true for the trees and the flowers, and its true for your Self as well. In order to experience new Soul growth, we need to let go of our old leaves–old patterns and habits that no longer serve us.
What are you ready to let go of? What do you need to shed in order for new life to grow?
Ayurveda
With the arrival of Fall, we move into the dark half of the year, an ideal time to reorient our attention towards wise strategies for the winter months, and to create balance and structure.
In the fall Vata Dosha (air + space elements) predominates. To balance the drying, cooling aspects of vata:
Think “warm and wet” for all life experience. Warm baths, wam stews, warming spices, and warm words of encouragement (to self and others) will melt vata’s cool nature.
Oiling your skin, doing things that “turn you on” sensually, taking a dip in the ocean (if the water’s warm), and putting avocado oil on your salad are ways to get more “wet”.
Reduce the amount of raw, light foods in your diet.
Eat warm, oil rich foods like avocados, sweet potatoes, and other “mushy” vegetables.
Eat foods that are whole and natural but also heavy, warming, sweet, sour and salty.
Spice your foods (think turmeric, ginger, cinnamon).
Reduce (or stop altogether) alcohol, smoking and coffee consumption.
Get a good night’s sleep. Give yourself the luxury of sleeping for as long as you want.
Get on a routine of regular meditation, slow moving yoga, and specific mealtimes.
Be in warm environments.
Get some loving touch, either from a friend or lover, child or body worker. Excessive vata is reduced by touch. Use warm sesame oil.
Get out in nature. Talk a long walk.
Deep gratitude as we journey back into the nourishing dark of the year,
Chantal