The fall autumnal equinox marks the official beginning of fall in the northern hemisphere. In the southern hemisphere, the vernal equinox occurs on the same day as the autumnal equinox. It marks the official beginning of spring.
Both the autumnal and vernal equinoxes happen at the same moment all over the world but are converted to local time. The September equinox will arrive on September 23, 2019 at 07:50 UTC.
This special time during Fall is often seen as a mystery. Although it is a vital part of the enlightenment and growth process for all of us, this equinox shift is glossed over and many people ignore its importance.
The Spiritual Meaning of the Autumn / Fall Equinox
Tanaaz from ForeverConscious tells us this about the Autumn Equinox: “Now, as the leaves begin to fall and the weather gets cooler, Mother Nature begins preparing for a type of death, and we too may feel called to let things go. We may also feel a need to ‘put things on ice’ or to release our attachment to taking action and making decisions in order to see where things may flow on their own.”
Tanaaz continues, ” Even though our location will determine how we will experience these Equinox energies, on this day, all of us will experience this equality and balance between light and dark energies. The scales will be balanced and we will be able to experience the merging of these two energies to the point where we can feel them as one.
“On a day like the Equinox however, everything is in balance. There is no you and me, or this and that, instead there is just one. One planet, one world, and even one soul.
As our home planet aligns in this perfect harmony and balance on the Equinox, we can feel into this idea, and recognize that we are as much the tree as it is us, and we are as much our enemies or the people we admire as they are us, we are all just an independent expression of the same soul.
Besides feeling into the expression of oneness, the September Equinox also serves as a reminder to bring some balance into our lives and to take ownership of the direction we are heading in.”
After the Fall equinox, nights become longer than days, bringing us into a period of darkness. It is time to respect and appreciate the darkness, because it is also necessary for growth.
Fun Ways to Celebrate the Fall Autumnal Equinox
Some of these suggestions are individual ways to celebrate the equinox while others can be done with family and friends. Feel free to do as many as you’d like or none at all. Up to you. Create something meaningful for you and your family and you can’t go wrong.
11 Ways to Celebrate the Fall Autumnal 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!
You may also like year round gratitude activities and crafts for kids or these gratitude books that inspire thankfulness.
2. Restore Balance in the Home
Restore balance in the home by doing a fall deep cleaning. Get rid of anything that you no longer need to make space for the new season. For chemical-free cleaning use essential oils for a healthy home.
3. Make Nature Crafts
Creating fall crafts is a great way to welcome in the season.
4. Begin Something New
Solstices and equinoxes are a great time to let go of the old and begin anew. As the temperatures begin to cool and people begin to spend more time indoors it is a great time to begin a new 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.
5. Visit a local Farm or Orchard
Head to a local farm to harvest items for a meal to celebrate the arrival of fall. Check out Visit an Apple Orchard, Visit a Pumpkin Patch, or Visit a Corn Maze for links to harvest dates and how to find a pick your own farm near you.
6. Eat a Fall Harvest Meal
Create a meal from local seasonal foods. Invite your friends and family over to enjoy the fall harvest. Have your guests join you in creating a gratitude and/or project list.
7. Add Fall Decor to Your Home
Decorate your home with fall decor and the fall crafts you made from suggestion #3
8. Meditate and/or Practice Yoga
On the equinox, day and night, dark and light are balanced. Meditate and/or practice yoga to create inner balance.
9. Have or Attend a Bonfire
A bonfire is a great way to celebrate the equinox. Dance, sing, beat drums, play music, and celebrate the fall. Please be safe and follow city or county laws and regulations.
10. Establish a Daily Rhythm
Want to get things done this season? Establishing a rhythm will help you get organized and provide a framework for your day. It increases your ability to stay focused and get things done. Children also thrive on rhythms in the home.
11. Get Outside & Connect
Get outside and connect with what matters on the equinox.
There are many ways to celebrate the fall autumnal equinox. Create something meaningful for you and your family and you can’t go wrong.