The Autumn Equinox is around the 21st-23rd of September, it changes year to year. Celebrating the Autumn Equinox is about the appreciation for Mother Earth's bounty through. crop, fruits and vegetables. It is also about showing gratitude for the season that is ending and preparing for the dark winter coming. The colours are changing, the nights are getting longer and the temperature is dropping. This causes our bodies to prepare for a state of 'hibernation'.
I was NOT excited about Autumn
I have NEVER been one to get excited about Autumn and pumpkin spice and sweater weather. As I took time to reflect this year on WHY this season didn't excite me, two things came up.
Flowers and warm weather make me happy
I am always cold, so Autumn was one step closer to the dead of winter (which can get pretty cold here in Canada)
SAD - Seasonal Affective Disorder, where the darker, colder weather has a direct affect on our mental health.
Why Did I Choose To Celebrate This Year?
With all the reading and research I had been reading about the Equinoxes, something hit me. It's about gratitude. Without gratitude we're stuck in the 'used to be's, wanted to get back to the better weather and sunny carefree days. But when you take a moment to appreciate those days and all they had to offer, it becomes a little easier to release.
I also know that there is no light without shadow or darkness and I wouldn't love the sunny days of summer as much if I had them all the time (again gratitude). So here I am ordering Pumpkin Spice Lattes, making a pinterest board of Autumn things, and deciding that as well as celebrating Thanksgiving in October with my family, that I was going to do a special Autumn Equinox celebration in my home this year.
Where To Start with Preparing?
I LOVE to plan so this part excited me. If you're less into planning things by the book, then I encourage you to listen to your intuition and prepare things in a way that feel meaningful to you in the moment. Although I have been researching and preparing for about a month in advance, that does not mean you cannot gather these items in a weekend. You may even have a lot of the items I'll mention already in your home.
Autumn Equinox Correspondents: There are colours, herbs, vegetables, crystals, and essential oils that correspond to the Autumn Equinox. Gather the ones that feel meaningful to you.
Harvest Inspired Meal: Gathering around food is the basis of many traditions around the world, so this was also important to me. There are drinks, breads, bakes and desserts that are representative of this celebration. PS Pumpkin Spice anything is a good place to start.
Autumn Equinox Rituals: Now if this is your first one like mine, you may want to keep it simple. Think of ways you can show gratitude with your loved ones.
My Autumn Equinox
I hope this gives you an idea of how simple (or complex) you can make this celebration. I have gathered a list of correspondents, recipes, and rituals I will be incorporating into my celebration. Here's a sneak peek!
Candles.Colours: Gold, Orange, Yellow
Crystals: Carnelian, Pyrite, Orange Calcite
Herbs/Spices: Clove, Cinnamon, Frankincense
From The Earth: Corn Husks, Acorns, Gourds
Recipes: Bread, Apple Cider, Pumpkin Pie
Rituals: Taking a moment for gratitude, to reflect on all the things that happened this season we are grateful for.
I hope this give you an idea of the amazing things you can do around this time of year to celebrate the Autumn Equinox. I'll be updating this post with more pictures of my altar when it is completed. Check out @Roreymoon on instagram for some sneak peeks.
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