Celebrating the Harvest
One of my favorites turns of the wheel through the year is the Autumnal Equinox- equinox translates into "equal night". A time of things coming back into a sense of equilibrium between the intense light and action of summer, and the waning light and time of reflection in winter. I love this time, although autumn is being somewhat elusive this year in Colorado. I can still pretend.
The equinox represents the time to slow down long enough to celebrate the harvest that has resulting from your nurturance of your dreams all year, the fruits of you labor. A time to be in gratitude for your abundance, and the abundance yet to come. And a time of giving and supporting the circle of abundance.
So I encourage you, besides being excited about the Pumpkin Spice lattes, to really take some time to get quite and honor and celebrate yourself. Take time to be with, (and by be with I mean fully present) with your family (soul and/or blood family) and friends, make food from the harvest of the land, and enjoy each others' company. Take time alone and create a sacred space to write or paint all of the things you are grateful for and celebrating this year.
For me, I get to be on retreat on the equinox, time for myself, and also time for sisterhood, with some hot springs dipping thrown in. I am very excited. Its also why the newsletter has arrived in your inbox a little bit early. So I could take the time I need, but also so I could give you some ideas for creating a small ritual of gratitude and honoring, and give you time to prepare.
Take a walk in nature, stop to look at the leaves changing color and gather some of them for your sacred space, or use some to collage onto a journal page.
Light burgundy, orange, or gold candles on the evening of the equinox (Sept. 22nd) also place marigold or chrysanthemum plants on your altar or table. And ears of corn.
Place springs of rosemary or pine needles (I save mine from my Christmas tree from the year before for my equinox bowls) or pine cones in small bowls throughout your spaces.
Take time to journal and reflect on what you are celebrating and what you have accomplished this year. Thank your Creator (or whatever works for you) for all of the abundance you have received, and that you are yet to receive. Cut out leaves in different colors and write on them those things you desire to call in for next year.
Thank anyone who has supported you this year. Or get together with your beloveds and have a meal, and create your "leaves" together. Meals that include corn and grains to honor the harvest, and a comforting soup of veggies is wonderful.
Step out of the madness matrix of social media, being external, and claim time for you to be in reflection as much as possible between now and early January. Seriously, block some time at least once a week on your calendar to step out of the holiday madness and just reflect and vision.
These are some very basic suggestion for an equinox celebration, it can be as simple or as elaborate as you wish. But I do encourage you to take some time on Sunday to be in reverence for all that you have received this year. As always I am here to offer suggestions, and I would love if you do create a sacred space to share some photos with me on my Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/pg/amusedwomanstudios