Autumn Equinox is Upon Us

Written by Epifania Arriagada. Photography by Simom Caban

The wheel of the year turns once more, and we find ourselves standing in the sacred balance of the Autumn Equinox. Day and night are equal, light and shadow woven into perfect harmony. For witches, mystics, and seekers alike, this is a holy pause — a moment between seasons that asks us to breathe, reflect, and realign.

As the sun begins its descent into the darker half of the year, we are reminded of the cycles that govern all life: growth, harvest, release, and rest. The equinox is not just about the turning of the leaves or the cooling of the air. It is about the balance within ourselves — the recognition that we too must carry both the light and the dark.

The Harvest Within

Traditionally, the Autumn Equinox marks the second harvest. It is the time when fields, gardens, and orchards overflow with abundance — fruits, grains, and herbs gathered to sustain the community through the coming cold. On a spiritual level, this is the harvest of our inner work.

Ask yourself:

• What seeds did I plant earlier this year?

• What has ripened in my life?

• What can I now gather, celebrate, and give thanks for?

This is also a moment of gratitude. Every apple picked, every loaf of bread broken, every candle lit upon the altar is an act of honoring the earth’s generosity.

The Call to Release

Yet balance requires not only harvest but surrender. Just as the trees let go of their leaves, we too must release what no longer serves us. The equinox invites us to loosen our grip on old stories, relationships, or habits that keep us out of alignment.

There is beauty in the falling. Release is not an end, but the beginning of transformation.

A Simple Equinox Spell: “The Balance Within”

You will need:

• A small bowl of water (element of flow)

• A candle (element of fire, symbol of the sun)

• A leaf or acorn (earth, symbol of harvest)

• A feather (air, symbol of change)

Ritual Steps:

1. Find a quiet space where you can sit undisturbed. Place the four items before you in a circle.

2. Light the candle. As the flame rises, take three deep breaths, centering yourself in the here and now.

3. Hold the leaf or acorn in your hands and whisper:
   “I honor the harvest within me — the growth, the blessings, the lessons gathered.”

4. Dip your fingers into the water, letting it wash gently over your palms. Say:
   “I release what no longer serves — I let it flow away with grace.”

5. Take the feather and wave it lightly over your head. Say:
   “I welcome change, and I walk into balance with open arms.”

6. Sit quietly for a few minutes, gazing into the candlelight. Feel both light and shadow resting equally within you.

When you are ready, blow out the candle and close the ritual with gratitude.

Walking Forward in Balance

The Autumn Equinox is not only a celestial event — it is an invitation to live in rhythm with the earth. It asks us to honor our abundance, embrace our shadow, and trust the cycles that guide us.

As we step into the darker half of the year, may we remember that the sun still burns within us. That even in darkness, there is beauty, rest, and renewal.

Blessed Equinox, witches. May your tables be full, your spirits balanced, and your hearts aflame with magic.