The fall equinox is a significant time in the pagan calendar, as it marks the transition from summer to autumn. In 2022, pagans will gather to celebrate this event with a ceremony that is rich in symbolism and ancient traditions. The main idea of the fall equinox ceremony is to honor the balance between light and darkness, as the day and night become equal in length. This balance is seen as representative of the harmony and interconnectedness of all things. During the ceremony, pagans will typically create an altar adorned with symbols of the season, such as autumnal leaves, acorns, and candles. The altar serves as a focal point for prayers and offerings.
The Autumn Equinox, at 6:03pm PT on Thursday Sept 22, marks the turning point when the days get shorter and the nights get longer, as we head into a season of harvest, followed by a dormant slumbering period before the fertile rebirth of Spring.
The Autumn Equinox, at 6 03pm PT on Thursday Sept 22, marks the turning point when the days get shorter and the nights get longer, as we head into a season of harvest, followed by a dormant slumbering period before the fertile rebirth of Spring. These celebrations are significant because, at the moment of the equinox, the sunsets exactly at due west and Japanese Buddhists believe the afterlife is located westward.
The altar serves as a focal point for prayers and offerings. The main highlight of the ceremony is the ritual of giving thanks for the harvest and acknowledging the abundance of the earth. Pagans will often take part in a communal feast, where they share seasonal foods and drinks.
Celebrate Mabon and the Autumn Equinox Thursday Sept 22, 2022!
The balance of light and dark, the Autumn Equinox, is also marked by the celebration of Mabon. A pagan holiday, a harvest feast, a time of gratitude and giving thanks to the Earth, and gathering together.
The Autumn Equinox, at 6:03pm PT on Thursday Sept 22, marks the turning point when the days get shorter and the nights get longer, as we head into a season of harvest, followed by a dormant slumbering period before the fertile rebirth of Spring.
Since ancient times, this balancing point between the light and the darkness has been marked by the feast of Mabon, a pagan holiday. It is the second of three harvest festivals that take place in the pagan “Wheel of the Year.” This “Second Harvest” is when farmers gathered foods like gourds, pumpkins, grapes, and apples.
It’s a time to give thanks for the summer and to pay tribute to the coming darkness. It is known as the “pagan thanksgiving,” and is celebrated by gathering friends and family for a feast, decorating your home with autumn colors, and going apple picking.
Symbols associated with Mabon include the cornucopia (horn of plenty) and pinecones.
Autumn Equinox in Mexico and Japan
The Mayan temple at Chichén Itzá in Mexico, known as El Castillo, is dedicated to a serpent god. During the fall equinox, people gather to see the “snake of sunlight”—at the precise moment the equinox arrives, it appears as if a snake made of sunlight slithers down the temple steps.
In Japan, the Buddhist celebration known as Higan or Higan-e happens during the week of both the spring and fall equinoxes. These celebrations are significant because, at the moment of the equinox, the sunsets exactly at due west—and Japanese Buddhists believe the afterlife is located westward. To honor the dead, people visit the graves of ancestors and loved ones, cleaning them and bringing decorations. It’s also a traditional time to visit relatives and to meditate.
Learn about Rituals, Recipes and Lore for the Autumn Equinox
Llewellyn's Sabbat Essentials Guide to Mabon shows you how to perform rituals and work magic that incorporates the shifting balance between light and dark that reaches its pinnacle during the equinox.
Contains recipes, rituals, lore, spells, prayers, meditations, to help you explore the old and new ways of celebrating the seasonal rites that are the cornerstones of the witch's year.
The balance of light and dark, the Autumn Equinox, is also marked by the celebration of Mabon. A pagan holiday, a harvest feast, a time of gratitude and giving thanks to the Earth, and gathering together.
This act of sharing reflects the importance of community and gratitude in pagan beliefs. In addition to giving thanks, pagans may also take part in rituals and dances that symbolize the changing of the seasons. These actions serve to connect individuals with the natural world and honor the cyclical nature of life. Overall, the fall equinox ceremony in 2022 is a time for pagans to come together in celebration of the changing seasons and the interconnectedness of all things. It is a time to express gratitude for the harvest and to honor the balance between light and darkness. Through ritual and community, pagans seek to deepen their connection with the natural world and bring harmony into their lives..
Reviews for "The Spiritual Significance of the Fall Equinox: Pagan Observations for 2022"
1. Jennifer - 2 stars - I attended the pagan ceremony to mark the fall equinox in 2022 and I was sorely disappointed. The event was disorganized and lacked structure. It felt more like a random gathering in a park rather than a spiritual celebration. The rituals performed were confusing and the meaning behind them was not explained to the attendees. Overall, I left feeling unsatisfied and frustrated that I had wasted my time and money on this event.
2. Mark - 2 stars - As someone curious about pagan ceremonies, I was excited to attend the fall equinox celebration in 2022. However, I was quickly disappointed by the lack of inclusivity and diversity in the event. The organizers seemed to cater only to a specific group of people, leaving others feeling left out and unwelcome. Additionally, the ceremony lacked a clear structure and direction, leaving attendees confused about what was happening and why. I would not recommend this event to anyone looking for an inclusive and well-organized pagan celebration.
3. Lisa - 1 star - The pagan ceremony to mark the fall equinox in 2022 was a complete letdown. The location was poorly chosen, with limited access to amenities and uncomfortable seating arrangements. The event felt disorganized, with unclear instructions and a lack of proper coordination. The rituals performed were rushed and didn't provide any sense of spirituality or connection to the natural world. Overall, I regretted attending and would not recommend this event to others.