by Sheyna Haisman-Holmes

At this time, 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 circumstances. The solar has been setting slightly bit earlier every day because the summer season solstice in June, on the longest day of the yr. At this equinox we’re experiencing equal hours of day and night time. Daytime will proceed to slowly lower till the winter solstice in December, which is the shortest day of the yr. 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 hearth & productiveness of the summer season.

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

This time of yr can also be marked by the Pagan vacation of Mabon. This vacation is a celebration of harvest and the cornucopia is a traditional Mabon image, representing the abundance of crops on the finish of summer season. It’s a frequent ritual to select apples on today and a good time to make baked apple recipes for nourishing the tissues of the physique. This time of equal gentle and equal night time is a time to replicate on steadiness. Am I creating an atmosphere for steadiness and concord in my life, or is one thing out of steadiness?

“Letting go” is considerably of a buzzword or development of a observe inside astrology, birthdays, moon cycles, the seasons, and so on. Once 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 keen to carry with us into the occasions of fall and winter? What could also be saved in our our bodies and minds that don’t want our consideration and vitality anymore? There could also be some energies which can be too heavy or misaligned that should be diminished and eradicated for the sake of our peace and internal progress. Whereas we experience the tails of summer season vitality, we could think about letting issues undergo making some choices to the waters. This may be achieved with flower petals, ash, milk, flower essences, and so on. (one thing that’s secure and never dangerous to the water or water life). Having this intention to supply and let go could carry up unconscious components that we weren’t conscious of. It could be extra frequent to consider spring cleansing and detoxing after the winter, however it’s equally as necessary throughout this seasonal transition the place we’re bringing the whole lot with us into our burrows for the autumn and coming winter.

Some methods to rejoice the equinox:

~Celebrating the summer season 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 season and those but to come back. Take these blessings and positivity into fall and winter with you as a prayer for deep nourishment and needed transformation.

~Gentle 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 corresponding to 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 techniques are further weak, so shield your self by preserving the neck and ft heat.

~Rid the physique of saved toxins by sipping on sizzling water (with lemon in case 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 hold releasing toxins by this pathway and hold the physique heat whereas we’re doing it 🙂

Blissful Autumn Equinox & Mabon!

9/22/23