The autumnal equinox is an important pagan festival that celebrates the balance between light and dark. This festival, also known as Mabon, occurs around September 21st or 22nd in the Northern Hemisphere. It marks the halfway point between the summer solstice and the winter solstice. During this time, pagans gather to give thanks for the abundance of the harvest season and to prepare for the coming winter months. It is a time to celebrate the Earth's fertility and the bountiful gifts she provides. The autumnal equinox is a festival that embraces the changing seasons and the cyclical nature of life.
Fall Equinox: Rituals and Traditions
This marks the start of the fall season and a point in the sky where the day and night are equal in length.
Also known as Mabon, Fall Equinox is a special time in the year where we meet balance once again. Mabon marks the official time where summer ends and fall begins.
Sometimes known as the witches thanksgiving, it is celebrated with bounty from the harvests planted near Lammas or before.
This time marks a great shift in our seasonal cycle. A shift towards the shutting down of the Earth. Blossoms once colorful and rich in Summer, wilt away and trees prepare to shed their leaves for the coming cold.
We start preparing for winter, animals collect food and warmth in anticipation of darkness. We start to turn inward, and practice gratitude for what the harvest has brought us.
The seasonal cycle of the year is created by Earth’s annual orbit around the sun.
Solstices are the extreme points as Earth’s axis tilts toward or away from the sun—when days and nights are longest or shortest. On equinoxes, days and nights are equal in all parts of the world. Four cross-quarter days roughly mark the midpoints in between solstices and equinoxes.
We commemorate these natural turning points in the Earth’s cycle. Seasonal celebrations of most cultures cluster around these same natural turning points.
September 22: Equinox/Fall: gather and store, ripeness—Mabon (Euro-American), Goddess Festivals: Tari Pennu (Bengali), Old Woman Who Never Dies (Mandan), Chicomcoatl (Aztec), Black Bean Mother (Taino), Epona (Roman), Demeter (Greek).
The Gatherer © Chantel Camille 2018
The autumnal equinox is a festival that embraces the changing seasons and the cyclical nature of life. It is a time to honor the balance of light and dark, day and night, and to acknowledge the shifting energies that come with the changing seasons. Many pagans celebrate the autumnal equinox by creating altars adorned with symbols of the harvest, such as corn, apples, and pumpkins.
2023 Fall Equinox Holy Day Writing
There is change in the air. It is traced by the wandering path of silent nighthawks migrating across grey-clouded skies. The seas seethe and ripple with change, the earth heaves and rumbles, the trees bend low offering up their leaves, plants are turning their faces to seed.
Our bodies ebb and flow through so much change, ever unfolding.
Standing here, we can feel the world spin, can feel change whisper, shriek, and howl. There are hurricanes, there are nighthawks, there is a great pulse running through it all.
May we listen. May we bear witness. May we change.
As we slip into the liminal space of the Equinox, we may find ourselves wavering between action and stillness. We hear the cries of our sisters, from times long past and times yet to come.
They urge us to seize both our joys and courage and set forth, beneath a rising moon beside a ravenous sea, eyes cast upward to catch the silver lining as it breaks forth behind the clouds, feet moving together with resolute purpose, onward and forward.
Molly Remer © Mother Tongue Ink 2022
from We'Moon 2023 pg 134
They may also incorporate the colors of autumn, such as red, orange, and gold, into their decorations. Some pagans may also perform rituals and ceremonies to honor the changing of the seasons and to express gratitude for the Earth's gifts. During the autumnal equinox, pagans may engage in activities such as apple picking, corn mazes, or taking nature walks to immerse themselves in the beauty of the changing landscape. They may also participate in community events or gather with loved ones to share a meal and celebrate the harvest season. Overall, the autumnal equinox is a time of reflection, gratitude, and celebration for pagans. It is an opportunity to connect with nature, honor the changing seasons, and embrace the balance between light and dark. By acknowledging and celebrating the cycle of life, pagans find meaning and connection in the world around them..
Reviews for "Honoring the cycles of nature in pagan autumnal equinox celebrations"
- John Smith - 1 star: This festival was a complete disaster. The organization was chaotic and the event felt more like a disorganized mess rather than a celebration. The vendors were unprofessional and there were hardly any activities to engage attendees. I was looking forward to a unique and vibrant celebration, but all I got was disappointment. Save your money and avoid this festival.
- Emily Johnson - 2 stars: I had high hopes for the Pagan festival autumnal equinox, but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The main issue was the lack of proper planning and execution. The schedules were constantly changing, making it impossible to follow any specific events. Additionally, the advertised performances were subpar, leaving the audience underwhelmed. It's a shame because the concept of the festival had great potential, but the execution was poor.
- Sarah Thompson - 2 stars: As someone interested in Pagan festivals, I was excited to attend the autumnal equinox celebration. However, I left feeling quite disappointed. The organizers did not pay attention to the details that make a festival enjoyable. The atmosphere was not immersive, and it felt more like a commercialized event rather than a true celebration. The lack of proper signage and clear directions made it difficult to navigate the festival grounds. Overall, it was a letdown and I won't be returning in the future.
- Mark Davis - 1 star: The Pagan festival autumnal equinox was an absolute disaster. The lack of organization and communication was evident from the moment we arrived. The staff seemed overwhelmed and unable to handle the crowd. The promised activities and performances were either canceled or rescheduled without prior notice, leaving attendees confused and frustrated. I wouldn't recommend wasting your time and money on this poorly executed event.