The Autumn Equinox is a day when the day and night are of equal length. Equinox is from the Latin, meaning “equal night.”
Autumn Equinox marks the shift from summer yang/male/outward energy to yin/female/inward energy.
Fall is my favorite time of the year when activities slow down, and cool air is blowing through my windows once again. It is a time when we can pause to reflect on what has passed and what is yet to come. A time to seek balance, and to nourish ourselves as we prepare for a deep rest that comes during the upcoming winter months.
I came across this quote about this time of year from Diana Gabaldon that made my heart sing.
“It was a beautiful bright autumn day, with air like cider and a sky so blue you could drown in it.”
In many traditions, this season of transition is a time to be still, a time to retreat, reflect, and to restore.
There are various traditions and holidays that are celebrated this time of year. Mabon is celebrated in Pagan traditions. Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish new year is celebrated on the first new moon in September. Michaelmas, a Catholic feast that honors Archangel Michael is celebrated on September 29th. A Japanese Buddhist tradition called Ohigan takes place during this equinox for a 7-day period in which this period of transition is honored and graves of ancestors are visited. China and Vietnam celebrate the Moon Festival, or Mid-Autumn festival, which is on the full moon nearest to the equinox.
This is also a time of year when many delve into “shadow work.” Shadow work is focused on consciously bringing forward unconscious aspects of yourself that often remain hidden, buried or ignored for various reasons. Many times, these aspects of the “hidden” self are qualities, traits or memories that we have suppressed. To restore balance and let the light in, we need to open the door to our shadows.
Retreat:
Set aside some time to disengage from the outside world, draw inward and reflect.
Journaling, meditation, writing a gratitude list, building an altar, soaking in a crystal filled bath, smudging to clear energy, creating rituals and taking a walk amongst some trees are just a few ways that you can retreat from the outside world and create a respite for yourself.
Reflect and Release:
Take time to pause and reflect on what has been working for you and what you want to release. Release what is no longer serving you, be it relationships, habits, or thought patterns that do not serve your highest good.
What areas of your life do you want to bring more balance to? Your eating habits, time dedicated to respite, sleep, exercise?
What are you grateful for?
Do you have a spiritual practice, is it one that is sustaining you?
Fill in the blank, I release___________, I want balance in __________area of my life, I am grateful for __________.
Crystal Allies:
Black Onyx for its grounding and its protective properties. Also used in past life work.
Black Tourmaline for its ability to transmute and transcend lower energy frequencies. Also, a protective stone.
Labradorite for new beginnings. Mystical, magical labradorite lifts the veils in our minds supporting self-reflection.
Quartz for clarity. You can program a quartz crystal with your intentions.
Selenite for clearing and restoring the chakras and aura. Selenite is pure white light.
These crystals work well collectively or individually to balance the light and dark
Plant Allies:
Acorn for strength, potentiality, and new beginnings.
Apple for luck, love, harmony, peace, and serenity.
Corn: for prosperity, longevity, abundance, and sustenance.
Marigold: to honor the light of the sun, ancestors and loved ones who have crossed over.
Sunflower: as a symbol of abundance, harvest, sun, fire, longevity, fortune, vitality, and magic.
Animal Allies:
Owl for seeing through the veils of illusion. She is an ancient, wise being that whispers in your ear that which you need to know revealing wisdom, intuition, and magic.
Raven for transformation and mystical vision. Helps you to embrace your intuition. Raven’s realm is the shadow as the Wheel of the Year turns towards winter.
Essential Oil Allies:
Cedarwood: calming, restorative, and soothing.
Cinnamon: protective, psychic- heightening and cleansing properties.
Clove: protective, transmutes negative or lower energies, manifesting, and abundance.
Frankincense spiritual endeavors of all kinds, success, and protection.
Autumn Colors: Brown, gold, orange, and yellow.
You can use these colors in decorating your home or altar, using fabrics, candles, crystals, plants, leaves, anything that you can dream up to bring in the elements of the season.
Be still and listen.....enjoy this season of transition.
With love,
Chrysalis Chris
chrysalischris.etsy.com