The Spiritual Significance of the Fall Equinox

Today is the autumn equinox marking the first day of fall! While I’m not loving the rainy start to the season here in Toronto, I love fall and I have grown to love the changing of the seasons.

The word equinox descends from the latin words aequus & nox, meaning “equal night”. This refers to the equal hours of light and dark experienced during the two equinox days each year (spring & fall).

Nature is a powerful teacher, in our modern world we have lost touch with nature. We are all connected to this Earth as living, growing beings and are affected by the forces in nature. The cyclical changes in nature resonates with our spirit and in honouring these changes we can connect deeper with the earth, with our spirit and with the cycle of life itself.

In all her infinite wisdom nature shows us that all things must come to an end and there is no need to fear that change. The seasons represent a constant cycle of growth, harvest, death and rebirth. The seasons also serve a deeper purpose in the evolution of the human consciousness and spiritual journey.

During the Autumn Equinox we honour the harvest, whether that is a literal harvest, or the symbolic harvest of the growth, expansion and blessings in your life. This is a time to shift from a consciousness of lack to prosperity and gratitude in honour all that you have in your life. Fall is a time to create space for our greater vision to flourish in the new year. It is a season of culmination and transition as we prepare for the hibernation of the cold, dark winter months which bring healing in preparation for our rebirth in spring. Much like the full & new moons I like to mark this with a simple ceremony or ritual. I invite you to light a candle and spend some time reflecting with the below journal prompt

1. What blessings have made their way into your life this year? Express gratitude for the abundance of life.

2. The equinox is a time of perfect balance between night & day, light & dark. Where do you need more balance or harmony in your life?

3. Reflect on your personal harvests, what have you put your energy and intention into creating this year? What are some accomplishments you are proud of? What personal growth have you experienced?

4. Fall is a transition into the death of winter, in order to experience soul growth we need to experience this death and rebirth cycle as well. What is no longer serving you? What is calling to be released? What old patterns, habits, emotions, goals, belongings, relationships etc. need to be released to make room for the new in the spring?

As always, I strongly encourage you to get outside in nature and take some time to unplug and make space to reconnect with the energy of nature, mother earth and father sky.

Happy equinox!