Fall Equinox Rituals for Reflection & Gratitude

The Meaning of the Fall Equinox

The Autumnal Equinox, arriving on September 22, marks the first day of fall and the balance between day and night. It’s a season of thanksgiving, joy, and the second harvest. Just as the leaves turn and nature prepares for rest, we too are invited into introspection.

This is a time to pause and reflect:

• What am I harvesting in my own life?

• What is ready to be released?

• Where am I being called to go deeper within?

Rituals from the Past, Still Relevant Today

Altars were often adorned with acorns, pinecones, apples, and wheat stalks. Celebrations included creating horns of plenty, meditative walks, and quilting. Traditional foods such as root vegetables, corn bread, apples, and squash reminded people of the earth’s generosity.

We can still weave these practices into our modern lives:
✨ Place autumn leaves in a basket as a symbol of letting go.
✨ Take a meditative moonlit walk, breathing deeply and asking for clarity.
✨ Share a meal infused with gratitude, blessing both the food and the tools used to prepare it.

Reflection & Release

The equinox calls us to let go—of habits, objects, or even old beliefs—that no longer serve us. Like trees shedding leaves, we too create space for new growth. This is also a time to honour hidden talents, allowing them to shine.

A grounding practice:
Visualize yourself as a tree, roots deep into Mother Earth, branches reaching for Father Sun. Hold a clear crystal and light a red candle. Affirm:

"I have a gift to bring to this world. I have the power to create the perfect space for my authentic self to shine through."

A Season of Gratitude

As we enter this darker half of the year, let us also give thanks—for our harvests, our friendships, our growth, and the lessons learned. Just as nature turns inward, so too can we find strength, clarity, and renewal within.