Autumn Equinox: A Seasonal Shift
- Alice Abel
- Oct 15, 2024
- 4 min read
The term ‘Autumn Equinox’ is a term I have only just discovered this year, as we step into Autumn and begin to feel the shift that this time of year brings. The technical meaning, an Equinox, signifies two moments in the year when the Sun is exactly above the Equator, so day and night are equal length, the second Equinox being in Springtime: involving different spiritual meanings and rituals. However, the Autumn Equinox wants us to focus on ‘harvesting’, so acknowledging a time of growth and expansion. This year, it happened on the 22nd of September, the official start of Autumn.
September feels like a fresh start to me, and I believe that is because whilst at school, we entered a new school year, giving us a fresh start academically, and I do feel this has carried through with me, into my first September not starting an academic year. I have decided to really consider my goal setting and reevaluating what is important to me during September and now into October. As we are nearing the end of the year, making the most of the last few months of the year seems productive, being able to complete those goals we created at the start of the year, ending the year off strong. That is what I see the Autumn Equinox providing me, a time to reevaluate what goals are most achievable within the next few months.
Like nature flowing through cycles, so do we. And within this point of the cycle, we can reevaluate and begin to slow down as we enter Autumn and soon the Winter Solstice (the beginning of Winter). If you look around you, you can quite literally see nature starting to slow down. Orange and red trees, crunchy leaves beneath our feet, frosty car windows, the warmth of your breath fighting the cold air around you, thick scarves and coats to beat the cold nip of winter, and the sun setting in the afternoon. But as Spring arrives, we see flowers blooming and lighter nights. It’s all about embracing every cycle of seasons that the year brings us.
Even though nature is slowly and subtly encouraging us to slow down, and to prepare for the Autumn and Winter months, it still does feel like a sudden shift that happened overnight. You suddenly start to notice the leaves falling, and a coldness to the air, which I feel is getting slightly colder every day, I am just waiting for the darker nights to appear, which you know are not far around the corner. Summer is so energetic, fast paced and all about embracing every moment of the warm days, and lighter evenings, so when this Autumnal shift in the season occurs, it is slightly startling.
How I like to embrace the shift, and alleviate the daunting feeling of Winter...
- Get outside, enjoy the leaves, the colours, and the crisp air. Go for a walk!
- Indulge in self-care, baths and steamy showers, facemasks, and cosy pyjamas. Or making time to read the book you have been meaning to start, or cooking yourself a new recipe you have always wanted to try…
- Take care of your space, whether that means decorating for the seasons with pumpkins and extra blankets or cushions to make it cosy or just simply keeping it clean and tidy, anything to make your space cosy and inviting for those shorter days. After all, your space is where you come back to after a long day, you want it to feel comforting and relaxing.
- Have at least one thing to look forward to a week, this could be a meal out with friends, or having a cosy film night at home!
- Bake with autumnal spices and flavours, there are so many amazing recipes out there, pumpkin spice, banana bread, or a hearty, warming soup.
- Drink allll the hot drinks, coffee shops embrace all the Autumnal flavours!
- Embracing Autumn/Winter style, wear your favourite jumpers!
- My Autumn blog post last year has all the necessities needed to help you enjoy this time of year…
As much as I encourage slowing down during the Autumn Equinox, it is not always possible with how busy life can be; sometimes life can pull you in unexpected directions, and that is okay, you should seize every opportunity! When life takes me by surprise or there is a goal I would like to achieve, I like to ensure I have balance. The word ‘balance’ continuously shows up for me, as I feel that’s how I work best, balance in slowing down yet still ensuring I feel productive, ticking off my to do lists and goals! Within my first blog of the 2024, I discussed the same goals of balance, and even ten months on, it continues to support my goals as I know it genuinely helps me the most. I would not have been able to tick off the never ending to do lists, if I hadn’t had rest, had hobbies, or time with friends and family. When to do lists do seem so never ending, it can feel that time away from the project, or job, or goal is unproductive. But in the long run, it is massively productive and will fill up your cup and help you feel rejuvenated and ready to complete those goals.
If you feel this resonates with you, I encourage you to try adding in some balance into your day to day during this Autumn season, whether that means a crisp walk after a busy day at work or buying yourself a pumpkin spiced latte. Immersing yourself as much as possible into each season, and acknowledge the beauty that each season provides us, it can make the colder shift in the air, feel a bit less daunting.
Nature is quite literally encouraging you to slow down and to embrace the colder months to the fullest!
All Images/Edits/Words By Alice Abel
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