Autumn Equinox September 22, 2023

September 12, 2023

Autumn Equinox September 22, 2023

Fall is finally here! As the leaves change color and the days get shorter, it's time to celebrate the Autumn Equinox on September 22, 2023. Get ready to snuggle up with a warm cup of cider, carve some pumpkins, and enjoy the crisp fall air. Don't forget to take some time to appreciate the beauty of nature during this magical time of year. 

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The September Fall/Autumnal equinox occurs the moment the Sun crosses the celestial equator – the imaginary line in the sky above the Earth’s equator – from north to south. This happens on September 22 – 24 and will mark the Autumnal Equinox which signals the beginning of Fall in the northern hemisphere (our friends in the southern hemisphere are celebrating the Spring Equinox). There will be an equal amount of light and darkness during this time, and afterwards the nights grow longer and we head towards winter.

The Autumnal Equinox is much more than marking the season before the nights get longer and the leaves change color, soon to parachute from branches to the ground below. The sun is rising later now and nightfall comes sooner. At this equinox, day and night are approximately equal in length. For us in the Northern Hemisphere, people are enjoying the cooler days of autumn even as preparations for winter are underway.

Fall is my favorite season.  I seem to come alive more at this time than any other time of the year.  I have always noticed the change that comes over me this time of year.

It’s also such a powerful spiritual time of year.  The veil between the two worlds thins and it’s the perfect time to communicate with deceased loved ones, ancestors, angels, and spirit guides.

In the rhythm of the year, the Fall Equinox marks a time of rest after hard work. The crops are gathered in, and winter is still a month and a half away! Although the nights are getting cooler, the days are still warm, and there is something magical in the sunlight, for it seems silvery and indirect.

There is a wonderful Opportunity to set the pattern/s of your Life to exactly how YOU want it to look, like or be. A beginning of a true quickening of “Realty” shifts based on your “output” of energies of your thoughts, words, intentions, and deeds. A great time for creating with an open -heart based Consciousness. Positive, loving, benevolent, life affirming, compassionate energies bring quick” like” experiences.

On the other hand, Negative, harmful energies No longer have the use or support of Universal Life Force and so will falter…So.. May All Blessings and Good be Yours! Create Wonderfully and Joyfully!

On the Fall Equinox you may want to honor abundance and shift your consciousness in some way through a small ritual or ceremony.

  • Start by lighting a candle
  • Burn incense such as Pine
  • Give thanks for all that you have
  • Express gratitude for being here now.

Fall Equinox Traditions

Equinox, meaning “equal night”, has its share of folklore and tradition as well. Some are rooted in Mythology; others are more grounded and carry their tradition to this day.

Those surrounding Autumnal Equinox included the following:

This is also the start of the traditional Cherokee New Year.  So it gives us lots of reasons to celebrate.  This New Year’s celebration lasts 14 days.

In Greek mythology, Persephone (formerly named Kore) returns to the Underworld on Autumnal Equinox to live with her husband, Hades, for half a year after living on Earth with her mother, Demeter, starting at Vernal Equinox.

Higan (meaning “the other shore”—nirvana), a Buddhist memorial service, occurs around the time of Autumnal Equinox (as well as Vernal Equinox), for seven days and serves to comfort ancestral spirits with loved ones visiting family graves.

Michaelmas is the Christian holiday honoring the Archangel Michael. As Michaelmas is the time that the darker nights and colder days begin – the edge into winter – the celebration of Michaelmas is associated with encouraging protection during these dark months. It was believed that negative forces were stronger in darkness and so families would require stronger defenses during the later months of the year.

Mabon, the Witch’s Thanksgiving, was a Welsh god and the male “counterpart” to the Persephone myth. Taken from his mother while only days old, Mabon gestates in the womb of Modron (the Great Mother) waiting to be reborn.

Clearly, this time of year has a variety of cultural observances spread around the world, diverse in custom, yet united in season. This September, when experiencing one of the biannual “Balancing of Nature”, remember the multitude of celebrations that share the advent of Autumn.

To welcome in this beautiful and magical season use some of the following to embrace all that is good:

Incense or scents to use: Pine, sage, sweetgrass or myrrh.

Seasonal Herbs: Rue, yarrow, rosemary, marigold, sage, walnut leaves and husks, mistletoe, saffron, oat leaves, apple. 

What will happen for you this Fall? Find out what’s in store for you during this fall season with one of my Spiritual Services.  This could be the beginning of a New You!

Learn about the Full Harvest Moon September 29, 2023

Autumn blessings,
Cherokee Billie



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