How to Celebrate the Fall Equinox

An equinox sunset ritual to perform before the September 22 autumnal equinox

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Who's ready for fall? On Sunday, September 22, 2024, at 8:43 AM EDT, and 12:43 PM UTC, the northern hemisphere will once again experience autumnal or fall equinox. This special event marks the beginning of the autumn season. In the southern hemisphere, this will be the spring equinox heralding the start of the spring season.

On a personal note, as the seasons shift, I know that many of you are coming on one year as paid subscribers to my Substack. My astrological work brings me so much joy, and I thank all of you for your generous support!

I am planning to publish two more paid articles soon: one about the upcoming four-month retrograde transit of Jupiter (which will begin on October 9), and one about the upcoming three-month transit of Mars (which will begin on October 20). If you would like access to these guides and my other paid articles, please consider upgrading or renewing your paid subscription.

Understanding the Equinoxes

The term "equinox" comes from Latin aequus (equal) and nox (night). The equinox occurs twice a year when the Sun crosses the Earth's equator in September and March. At this time, the Sun appears directly above the equator, rather than north or south of the equator. During the equinox, day and night are of equal length all over the Earth.

Special Points of Equilibrium

The equinoxes signify points of equilibrium when the forces of light and dark come briefly into complete balance. For those of us living in the northern hemisphere, the upcoming equinox will mark the beginning of fall. This is the point where the yearly cycle shifts away from outward ebullience and growth. It is the harvest time, and the beginning of the turning-in season of the year. It is a time to reflect, give thanks, and let go of what no longer serves us.

In contrast, for those living in the southern hemisphere, the upcoming equinox will mark the beginning of spring. The spring equinox celebrates rebirth just as the solar cycle begins to expand. The days will grow longer and warmer, and all of nature will begin to come back to life.

A Three-Day Period of Spiritual Reset

On the day of the equinox, the Sun will pass over the celestial equator. This will create a still point in which the Earth’s electromagnetic energy field becomes temporarily motionless before it resets itself. At this time, the entire Earth will become intensely bathed in higher astral vibrations. This period of increased etheric radiation will extend from the day before to the day after the equinox, so for about three days in total.

At the still point of the turning world. Neither flesh nor fleshless;

Neither from nor towards; at the still point, there the dance is,

But neither arrest nor movement…Neither movement from nor towards,

Neither ascent nor decline. Except for the point, the still point,

There would be no dance, and there is only dance. (Excerpt from The Still Point of the Turning World by T. S. Eliot)

An Annual Revival of the Spirit

For those of us who will experience the autumnal equinox, the time around this special event will mark a turning point. During this period of deep inner adjustment, all of nature will slowly begin to turn inward. As the natural world begins to let go and draw within, we are also asked to take time for contemplation and healing in order to restore balance in our lives. This is why the fall equinox and ensuing autumnal season have long been celebrated as an annual revival by many of the world’s spiritual traditions.

As Mother Earth reboots her energy system at the equinoxes, a temporary period of destabilization is also mirrored within us. Some may even experience a sense of vulnerability or unsteadiness at this time. It is best to use the three-day still point period from September 22 to 24 to harmonize, rejuvenate, and strengthen your body, mind, and spirit.

Why We Should Not Begin New Actions From September 21-23

The equinox is known as a sankranti in Vedic astrology. In Sanskrit, the term "sankranti" means "course, passage, or entry into." A sankranti refers to not only the equinoxes, but also to the solstices and the Sun's entry (ingress) into a new sidereal sign every month.

According to classical Muhurta (Elective Astrology), we should not begin new actions like starting a job or new program of study, making a significant purchase, setting out on a journey, establishing a new business venture, or getting engaged or married during a sankranti. In this case, it is suggested to avoid the day before, the day of, and the day after the equinox.

We should avoid beginning new actions during this time because the Sun is the soul of the world and the vitality of everything in life. The Sun needs to be strong when we set anything new into motion if we want that matter to have positive lasting results.

The sankrantis are transitional times when the Sun's energy is “on the edge of change." Often what we set into motion on sankrantis will not have the expected outcome. On the other hand, these days are great periods for inner reflection.

How to Perform a Simple Sunset Ritual Before the Equinox

I recommend performing an equinox sunset ritual on September 21, the evening before the equinox occurs. If you have clear skies, you can go outside and watch the sunset on this special day. If not, you can do this ritual inside your home at the time of sunset, facing west and invoking the image of the setting Sun within your mind’s eye.

As the day draws to a close, you can give thought to everything that you have accomplished since the spring equinox. You can give thanks for all your blessings and also think about the challenges you have faced since then, and the worries and troubles that you want to let go. 

As the last sliver of the sun sinks below the horizon, you can imagine your worries slipping away, and your goals and intentions for the rest of the year becoming clearer and stronger.

Performing this ritual on this  auspicious day will help you reconnect with Divine Spirit, to release certain concerns of the past, and to reaffirm your highest intentions. Tune in and with a grateful heart, offer your prayers for your highest good and the highest good of all! I wish you a blessed equinox!

We bless you,
God of Seed and Harvest
And we bless each other
That the beauty of this world
And the love that created it
Might be expressed though our lives
And be a blessing to others
Now and always (God of Seed and Harvest, author unknown)