Fall Equinox

We are officially in Fall! September 22nd was the Fall Equinox ,which is the day that the Sun crosses across the equator from the Northern hemisphere to the Southern Hemisphere.What this means is that from today forward our nights will be longer than our days until the winter solstice in December.

This is the harvest season. You may be noticing pumpkins popping up in gardens and markets as well as gourds and other large, hearty produce. The air is getting a bit crisper and the earth is starting to get both crunchier and quieter as plants and animals prepare for colder months. You might notice acorns falling to the ground and the squirrels grabbing them to fatten up.

The equinox is symbolic of balance. As the sun crosses the equator, we have roughly the same amount of light and darkness. We are at a precipice as we leave Summer and enter Fall. Summer is the season of abundance, sun, and warmth. As we enter fall, we focus on slowing down and start to turn an introspective eye. This is a good time to check in on the projects you have active and see how you might find a good pause point or milestone. This time of year is about bringing in the harvest so you are prepared to rest for the winter.

Here are some journal prompts to engage with this time of year:

• Do you feel balanced or is there anything off kilter?

• What have you been giving too much energy to?

• Is there anything sapping your energy with worry?

Ritual Ideas for the Fall Equinox

1. Engage in conversation with you shadow self. As the darkness comes upon us, we can use this to embrace and explore the parts of ourselves we hide from the light. In front of a mirror, try asking yourself questions about what aspects of yourself you are resistant to accepting and what fears you harbor (and why). Be slow and gentle with this process, keeping your gaze while allow answers to come.

2. The harvest season is a time to express gratitude. Set a timer for 3 minutes and, without stopping, write anything that comes to mind that you feel any kind of gratefulness for. This is a brain dump exercise, so don't allow yourself to think too much about what comes forth. When you're done, trying making some art out of this list.

3. Look for signs of fall. As you are out and about in the world, be tuned to nature's signs of slowing down. Perhaps you find the top of an acorn or a particularly nice dried leaf. If anything you come upon feels particularly meaningful, bring it to your home and place it in a spot of honor to remind yourself that you too are preparing for rest coming this winter.