by Sheyna Haisman-Holmes

At the moment, September 22^nd is the autumn/fall equinox right here within the Northern Hemisphere. We’re transitioning from summertime pitta season to the vata season of fall. Vata season is characterised by colder climate, dry and windy situations. The solar has been setting slightly bit earlier every day for the reason that summer time solstice in June, on the longest day of the 12 months. At this equinox we’re experiencing equal hours of day and evening. Daytime will proceed to slowly lower till the winter solstice in December, which is the shortest day of the 12 months. The climate will begin cooling off extra within the subsequent month till we discover ourselves in fall. This season is an invite to go inwards, combine and relaxation after the fireplace & productiveness of the summer time.

We’re transitioning from sizzling, extroverted, touring our bodies into chilly, dry and light-weight autumn time. The bushes and crops are doing the identical by transitioning from a lot development and meals manufacturing right into a time of relaxation and reset. Bushes will lose their leaves and their power will go inwards. This inward power will final all through all of fall and winter, till spring power wakes us all up into extroversion. Throughout this time, we have to take extra care in conserving our our bodies heat and properly nourished.

This time of 12 months can be marked by the Pagan vacation of Mabon. This vacation is a celebration of harvest and the cornucopia is a basic Mabon image, representing the abundance of crops on the finish of summer time. It’s a widespread ritual to choose apples on this present day and a good time to make baked apple recipes for nourishing the tissues of the physique. This time of equal mild and equal evening is a time to mirror on stability. Am I creating an atmosphere for stability and concord in my life, or is one thing out of stability?

“Letting go” is considerably of a buzzword or pattern of a follow inside astrology, birthdays, moon cycles, the seasons, and so forth. After we actually lean into this, there are literally many necessary inquiries to ask on the theme of letting go because the season attracts us inwards. What are we prepared to deliver with us into the instances of fall and winter? What could also be saved in our our bodies and minds that don’t want our consideration and power anymore? There could also be some energies which can be too heavy or misaligned that should be decreased and eradicated for the sake of our peace and interior development. Whereas we experience the tails of summer time power, we could contemplate letting issues undergo making some choices to the waters. This may be accomplished with flower petals, ash, milk, flower essences, and so forth. (one thing that’s protected and never dangerous to the water or water life). Having this intention to supply and let go could deliver up unconscious components that we weren’t conscious of. It might be extra widespread to consider spring cleansing and detoxing after the winter, however it’s equally as necessary throughout this seasonal transition the place we’re bringing all the things with us into our burrows for the autumn and coming winter.

Some methods to rejoice the equinox:

~Celebrating the summer time bounty with a feast! It is a nice time to have a potluck and celebration with household and pals.

~Give thanks for all of the blessings in your life. Those that you just simply skilled this summer time and those but to come back. Take these blessings and positivity into fall and winter with you as a prayer for deep nourishment and mandatory transformation.

~Mild a candle to take a seat with these blessings and prayers. Write them out and intend for readability.

~Make an earth mandala with fallen leaves, flowers, apples, or no matter you discover in abundance on the bottom!

Suggestions for transitioning into Vata season:

~Begin consuming warming meals once more. Favor candy potato, acorn squash, broth, delicata squash, rice and root veggies. Enhance warming spices reminiscent of cinnamon, cardamom, pepper, turmeric, hing.

~Keep away from chilly meals and drinks, uncooked veggies and dry meals (popcorn, crackers, chips).

~That is the season the place immune programs are additional susceptible, so shield your self by conserving the neck and toes heat.

~Rid the physique of saved toxins by sipping on sizzling water (with lemon in the event you want) within the mornings and all through the day.

~Assist the physique proceed to sweat! It’s simpler to sweat in the summertime when it’s sizzling. Because it cools down, we need to preserve releasing toxins via this pathway and preserve the physique heat whereas we’re doing it 🙂

Joyful Autumn Equinox & Mabon!

9/22/23