The festival of the autumnal equinox in the pagan tradition is a celebration that takes place around the time when the Earth's tilt causes the length of day and night to be approximately equal. In 2022, this festival will occur on September 23rd. This festival is a significant event for pagans who follow nature-based spiritual practices. It is viewed as a time of balance, when light and darkness are in harmony before the days become shorter and colder. During the festival, pagans come together to honor and give thanks to the Earth and its cycles. Many pagans view it as a time to express gratitude for the harvest season and appreciate the abundance that the Earth provides.
Many pagans view it as a time to express gratitude for the harvest season and appreciate the abundance that the Earth provides. Rituals and ceremonies are an integral part of the autumnal equinox festival. These rituals often involve offerings to the Earth, such as fruits, vegetables, or grains.
Autumn Equinox
There are three harvest festivals in the Pagan Wheel of the Year. The first is Lammas (also known as Lughnasadh) which is the grain harvest (wheat and barley). The second is Autumn Equinox, which is the fruit harvest (particularly relevant in southern Ontario with the huge fruit-growing region of Niagara). It is also the time when day and night are of equal length, but the nights are going to get longer until the Winter Solstice. The third harvest is Halloween (known in Scots Gaelic as Samhain, in Irish as Samhuinn, and in Manx as Sauin), which is when farmers would traditionally slaughter any animals they could not feed during the winter, and salt down their meat for food supplies over the lean cold months.
The Pagan Wheel of the Year was originally based on the cycle of the seasons in Great Britain, which is a bit different than the seasons in Canada, where I live now. For example, when Brits are posting photos of snowdrops on Instagram, Ontario is still covered in snow! It is definitely a good idea to observe the seasons in your locale and adapt the festivals accordingly.
Mythologically, many people associate Autumn Equinox with the Greek myth of Demeter and Persephone, which was the basis of the Eleusinian Mysteries (a Pagan tradition of late classical antiquity). Persephone was abducted by the underworld god Hades, and Demeter’s mourning for her caused the first winter. Then the gods searched for her, and found her with Hades. They negotiated her return to the upper world, but Hades offered her pomegranate seeds, and however many she ate, that would be the number of months she had to stay in the underworld every year. Her annual absence causes Demeter to mourn all over again, hence the return of winter.
I associate Autumn Equinox with the story of Pomona and Vertumnus, goddess of apple orchards and god of the turning seasons. Pomona was courted by several woodland gods, but wasn’t interested in any of them. Then Vertumnus disguised himself as an old woman and came courting her, telling her what a handsome chap Vertumnus was; then she was interested. There are some interestingly queer overtones to this story.
The first person to call the festival “Mabon” was Aidan Kelly in 1974, but this is a misnomer, as Mabon is a Welsh deity or culture hero who has no historical connection with Autumn Equinox. The name has caught on and can be found in many online images of the Wheel of the Year.
In OBOD Druidry, Autumn Equinox is called Alban Elfed, the Light of the Water. I think Alban Elfed is a wonderful name — light and water are a natural pairing and the reflective nature of water does amazing things with light. Water is sacred in most Earth-based traditions, including ancient and modern Pagan traditions, and many of the Indigenous traditions of Turtle Island (North America).
Wiccans often celebrate the Autumn Equinox by re-enacting an aspect of Pagan mythology, and the cooler Fall weather. A typical coven meeting starts with everyone sharing what they have been doing since we last saw each other, and discussing an aspect of life or the significance of the festival we are celebrating. Then we move on to the ritual itself. In Canada, we start with a land acknowledgment. All Wiccans would then cast a circle and call the four sacred directions. Then we perform a ritual drama on the theme of the festival. After that we often do spells for healing. This is followed by a feast.
The purpose of seasonal festivals is to reconnect us with Nature. Wicca (and Paganism in general) is a life-affirming religion with a reverence for Nature. Some people call it a fertility religion, but I disagree – there is more to life than fertility. Rather, it is a religion that celebrates the pleasures of life: consensual sex, food, being with friends, and the beauty of Nature. Both ancient and contemporary forms of Paganism also celebrated same-sex love and gender-variance, and LGBTQ2SIA people are welcome in the Pagan community. It acknowledges that we are part of a cycle of birth, life, death, and rebirth. In Wicca, darkness does not symbolise evil. Darkness and cold are necessary for rest, growth, and regeneration. Death is not evil, but a necessary adjunct to life. If there was no death and dissolution, there could be no change or growth. Suffering is also part of the process of growth; just as a tree is shaped by the wind, we are shaped by our experiences.
If you would like to celebrate Autumn Equinox, you could gather fruit such as blackberries, pomegranates, apples, peaches, and persimmons, and share them with your friends. The dark half of the year, when the evenings and nights are longer, are a time for introspection and creativity, so now is a great time to start creative projects like knitting, crochet, and baking.
You can also create your own ritual, celebrating the cooler weather, the drawing-in of the nights, your personal harvest, fruit, and creativity. There are many templates available online for solo and small-group rituals, or you can create your own.
If you enjoyed this post, you might like my books.
In theory, this means that everywhere on the planet should get 12 hours of daylight and darkness on those days, although this is complicated slightly by the Earth’s atmosphere affecting the way we see sunlight.
Pagan participants may also create altars adorned with symbols of the harvest, such as gourds, corn, or sunflowers. One common practice during this festival is the lighting of bonfires. The bonfires symbolize the transformative power of fire and are seen as a way to release negative energy and welcome new beginnings. In addition to the rituals, gatherings, and feasts, the autumnal equinox festival is also a time for reflection. Pagans may take this opportunity to connect with the changing seasons and reflect on their own personal growth and transformation. Overall, the festival of the autumnal equinox in the pagan tradition is a celebration that honors the Earth's cycles and the changing of the seasons. It is a time of gratitude, rituals, and reflection, marking the transition from summer to autumn..
Reviews for "The Joy of Community and Unity at the Autumn Equinox Festival"
1. Sarah - 1 star
I attended the Festival of the autumnal equinox in the pagan tradition in 2022, and let me just say, it was a complete disappointment. The organization was lacking, the activities were dull and unengaging, and the overall atmosphere was lackluster. I expected to experience a vibrant and lively celebration of the equinox, but instead, I found myself surrounded by bored attendees and uninspiring performances. I would not recommend attending this festival if you're looking for an authentic and fulfilling experience.
2. Mike - 2 stars
I had high hopes for the Festival of the autumnal equinox in the pagan tradition in 2022, but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The event felt disorganized, with long lines for activities and a lack of clear instructions or schedules. The performances were lackluster, with performers seeming unenthusiastic and unpolished. The overall ambiance was also disrupted by a lack of proper facilities and amenities, making it a rather uncomfortable experience. It's a shame because the concept of celebrating the equinox in the pagan tradition is fascinating, but this particular festival failed to deliver a memorable and enjoyable experience.