Celebrate Autumn Equinox

Honoring the seasons has been a part of my personal spiritual practices for more than 20 years. Connecting with the nuances of the eight holidays associated with the Celtic Calendar or the Wheel of the Year, has been a way for me to access my spiritual practices, throughout the year, with a specific theme at each event.

Below are some suggestions for celebrating the season of Fall Equinox, the second of three harvest celebrations. Autumn Equinox happens on September 22nd this year. Enjoy the turn of the wheel of the seasons!

Autumn Equinox Qualities and Associations

Energy- Middle harvest, Quieting, Finishing projects, beginning of introspection, “putting up” your harvest.

Colors- orange, gold, brown and red

Crystals- Peridot, Amber, clear quartz, Citrine, tangerine quartz, smokey quartz

Herbs- Chamomile, saffron, marigold, rue, rose hips, passion flower, sunflower

Food is a great way to signal your friends and family that Autumn Equinox is a special day. One way to design a holiday that may be new to you or your family or friends is to create a feast. In our family it is common to serve a protein and starch or protein and veggies, as everyday meals are simple. But when I serve a protein, starch, veggies, salad and dessert, then people know something special is happening. This larger and possibly more complex meal will help this day feel special. You could even make this meal a potluck which would be in alignment with the energy of this harvest season. Humans have shared food since the beginning of time. When creating this seasonal feast I like to use special plates and glassware. This adds another unconscious signal to my guests (and myself!) that this moment in time is special.

Autumn Equinox Feast

Apple Cider and/or Hard Apple Cider

Baked Acorn squash with quinoa stuffing

Roasted chicken/Vegan Field sausages

Roasted beets and potatoes

Green Salad with herb vinaigrette dressing

Rosemary Garlic bread wreath

Apple pie and ice cream

Crafting is another way to honor the change of the season. This a great activity for kids or a group of friends. As you craft, spending time talking about the way Autumn impacts the way we feel, can be nourishing as you do some creative task together.

Crafts ideas Leaf chains

Wreaths of fall leaves

Fruit and vegetable candle holders

Make and preserve applesauce

Dehydrate fruits and veggies

Preserve/can fruits and veggies

Creating seasonal rituals can be a way to honor the progression of the seasons. Some rituals can be elaborate and deeply spiritual and other rituals can be quiet solo quick experiences. The lovely thing about working with the Wheel of the Year is that you can dive in as deeply as would like, each time you meet another turn of the season. Ask yourself these questions- What do I have time to create? What would be most nourishing to my mind, body and spirit? This is a time to not over-commit or try to push too hard. This time of year is all about winding down, slowing down, simplifying. If you have a tendency to over-commit then try creating the most simple celebration you can imagine. Spend more time experiencing Autumn Equinox then preparing for an event/ritual. Happy Autumn Equinox!

Ritual Ideas

Clear and Clean Cluttered spaces

Make a gratitude list

Honor the animals

Candle Magic

Share food with friends

Plant bulbs with intentions

Karin Olsen is a healer, a seer and a teacher. She has been studying plants for more than 20 years, owning a herb shop and metaphysical store for 15 years. She has been a massage therapist for over 25 years. Karin learned her psychic medium skills from her mother and see clients via zoom. She teaches classes on earth-based spirituality through Moonhill Mystery School in the Salish Sea area. In 2021, she earned a Master of Ecopsychology from Naropa University.