Rituals, Reflections, and Cozy Vibes for the Autumnal Equinox!
AUTUMN IS HERE!!!!!!! I’m shouting with my chai tea latte in hand, Noah Kahan playing in the background, and Gilmore Girls starting at season 1 on the tv. It might still be 86 degrees where I am, but that’s not stopping me from making butternut squash bisque or pumpkin ravioli with goat cheese.
But in all seriousness, with autumn here we find ourselves standing at a beautiful threshold between the seasons. On Sunday, September 22, 2025, the day and night will fall into perfect balance, offering us a moment of harmony before we tip into the darker, quieter half of the year.
This is more than just the first day of fall, it’s an invitation to pause, reflect, and realign with nature’s rhythms. The Equinox calls us to release what no longer serves us, ground deeply, and set our intentions for the months ahead.
Why the Autumn Equinox is So Special
I’m a sucker for history and folklore when it comes to anything spiritual or seasonally related (and honestly anything nature related), the Autumn Equinox has long symbolized the dance between light and dark, life and rest, growth and release.
· Celtic and Pagan traditions celebrate this time as Mabon, a harvest festival honoring gratitude, balance, and the gifts of the Earth.
· In Greek mythology, the Equinox marks Persephone’s descent (I’m a Persephone and Hades STAN) into the underworld, signaling nature’s slow withdrawal into winter with the promise of renewal come spring.
Whether through myth, ritual, or modern mindfulness practices, the message is the same: autumn invites us to honor cycles of change, celebrate the harvest (literal and personal) and find the peace and benefits that comes in letting go.
Simple Rituals to Celebrate the Equinox
You don’t need a big ceremony to honor this shift. A few intentional practices can help you ground, release, and welcome the season’s energy. Below are a few general practices and then I’ll share some I’ll be doing. These should all be accessible, require few (if any) gathering of materials, and assist you in aligning your mindset and spirit to the rhythms and themes of the season.
1. Create a Nature Centerpiece
Forage for leaves, pinecones, fruits, or flowers on a nature walk and arrange them around candles on a small table or windowsill. Add handwritten intentions or gratitude notes for what you’re calling in this season.
2. Harvest Gratitude Ritual
Make a cozy, seasonal meal (roasted root vegetables, apples, or pumpkin) and give thanks for everything the past few months have taught you.
3. Letting Go Ceremony
Write down fears, limiting beliefs, or habits you’re ready to release. Safely burn (or rip into itty bitty pieces) the paper and imagine the smoke carrying those old patterns away.
4. Light and Shadow Journaling
Grab your journal and freewrite on any (or all) of the prompts below:
· Where in my life do I feel balanced right now?
· What am I ready to release before winter arrives?
· What intentions do I want to set and work on for the months ahead?
5. Home Cleansing and Cozy Transitions
As you swap out summer clothes for warmer layers, give your wardrobe and living space an energetic cleanse with sage, palo santo, or sound. Thank summer for its gifts and set intentions for what you’re inviting in with autumn. In addition, LIT-TRALLY get rid of stuff. Clean out, declutter, donate, etc. With energetic cleansing comes physical cleansing and with physical cleansing comes physical AND energetic space for new manifestations and gifts to arrive.
Seasonal Tools: Crystals, Colors, and Scents
· Crystals for fall: Smoky quartz for grounding, pyrite for abundance, carnelian for creativity, and labradorite for navigating transitions and tapping into intuition.
· Colors to wear or decorate with: Orange for harvest energy, burgundy for grounding, gold for abundance, brown for earth connection.
· Seasonal foods: Apples, squash, pumpkin, root vegetables, nourishing foods that align with the energy of harvest and grounding.
Fall Diffuser Blend for Cozy, Balanced Vibes
This blend combines uplifting, grounding, and protective energies for the perfect autumn vibessss:
· 6 drops Orange – Abundance, creativity, optimism
· 6 drops Clove – Clarity, courage, spiritual protection
· 3 drops Vetiver – Grounding, inner peace, calm
Adjust the number of drops based on your diffuser size and scent preference.
Simmer Pot for Seasonal Magic
In a pot of water, add:
· Apple slices for abundance and gratitude
· Orange slices for joy and new beginnings
· Cinnamon sticks for protection and prosperity
· Bay leaves for wisdom and release
· Ginger for courage and energy
· Clove oil for purification and clearing
· A splash of vanilla for love and comfort
Let it simmer gently and fill your home with the COZY scents and energies of the season.
The Autumn Equinox isn’t just a date on the calendar, it’s a seasonal reminder that we, too, are part of nature’s rhythms. As the trees release their leaves, we can release what no longer serves us. As the Earth prepares for rest, we can make space for stillness, reflection, and renewal.
So light a candle, brew some herbal tea, take a deep breath, and let this season guide you back into balance, baby!
