The Autumnal Equinox: Reflecting on Abundance, Celebrating Transition
As the summer fades, we prepare ourselves to welcome the autumnal equinox – a time when the sun is perfectly balanced between night and day. This astronomical event is steeped in history, having been celebrated by ancient and medieval pagan cultures as a time of reverence and reflection. Nowadays, we can also appreciate the significance of the autumnal equinox, as a time of abundance and celebration for all that we have done and nurtured throughout the year. In this blog, we will explore the history of this event and why it still resonates with us today, especially for women in midlife who wear many hats and are in the midst of building their legacies.
The September Equinox has been celebrated by many cultures throughout history. The ancient Mayans, for example, celebrated this astronomical event by building massive temples and monuments that were oriented precisely towards the sun on this day. The Hindu festival
of Navaratri celebrated for nine days around the equinox, signifies the triumph of good over evil. In ancient Greece, the equinox marked the return of Persephone, who was the goddess of harvest and fertility, from the underworld. From these celebrations, we see the importance of this astronomical event in ancient and medieval cultures.
In modern-day life, the Autumnal Equinox still holds significant spiritual and personal growth opportunities. It’s an ideal time to reflect on our growth, the lessons learned throughout spring and summer, and manifest abundance in our lives. Taking a cue from pagan cultures, we can celebrate the bounty of the season by creating an altar with corn, wheat, and seasonal vegetables or decorating our house with autumnal colours and elements.
The Autumnal Equinox represents harvest, reflection, and balance. We can use this time to celebrate our own abundance and accomplishments, as well as to acknowledge the challenges and growth opportunities we’ve encountered. We can reflect on the balance of light and dark within our own lives, and how we can find equilibrium between them. It’s also a time when the natural world starts a period of rest and rejuvenation, reminding us that it is important to take the time to slow down and focus on self-care.
The autumnal equinox is a time of transition, where we prepare ourselves to go within, hibernate during the winter months, and emerge renewed in the spring. This powerfully feminine energy invites us to embrace this transition, to honor all that we have accomplished, and to reflect on what is to come. We can focus on our own personal growth, nourishment, and self-care during this period, and take the time we need to rest, reflect, and rejuvenate – both physically and mentally.
One way to celebrate the autumnal equinox in a meaningful way is to start a gratitude journal. Write down everything you are grateful for and all that you have done throughout the year so far. This simple act of reflection can help to shift our focus away from what we may be lacking or want more of, and towards an appreciation for all that we have already achieved. It also sets a positive tone for the coming months,
creating a foundation of gratitude and contentment.
The autumnal equinox is a time of transition, transformation, and abundance. It has been celebrated and revered throughout history and continues to hold resonance in our modern lives. As women in midlife, this can be a powerful time to focus on our personal growth, embrace the abundance we have already created, and set the tone for the coming months. By honoring the rhythms and cycles of nature and taking the time for self-care, reflection, and gratitude, we can successfully transition into the quieter, introspective months that lie ahead.
