The September equinox, also known as the autumnal equinox, is a significant event in many pagan beliefs and practices. This astronomical event marks the transition from summer to autumn and holds great spiritual significance for pagans around the world. In pagan traditions, the equinox is seen as a time of balance and harmony between light and darkness. It is a time when day and night are of equal length, symbolizing the equilibrium between opposing forces. One common belief is that the September equinox is a time of reflection and gratitude. Pagans often take this opportunity to express gratitude for the bountiful harvest and to give thanks for the abundance of the earth.
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I am grateful for the challenges presented by sharing my home with my elderly father-in-law because they provide a sometimes too-consistent opportunity for lessons in communication, boundaries, and compassion. I m a board member of Mystic South, an annual conference held in Atlanta, and a member of Everglades Moon Local Council, which is part of Covenant of the Goddess.
Pagans often take this opportunity to express gratitude for the bountiful harvest and to give thanks for the abundance of the earth. It is a time to celebrate the fruits of their labor and to acknowledge the interconnectedness of all things. The equinox is also considered a time of transition and transformation.
Happy September Equinox!
TWH – Happy Equinox! This year, the September Equinox arrived today, Wednesday, September 22, 2021, at 3:21 PM EDT. In the Southern Hemisphere, it marks the vernal equinox and the autumnal equinox in the Northern hemisphere.
Earth daylight distribution on the September Equinox (Northern Autumn; Southern Spring) – Image credit: Wikihelp7586 – CC BY-SA 4.0
The equinoxes occur when the Earth’s axis is perpendicular to the Sun’s rays. The Sun’s rays enter along the “celestial equator” which is the equatorial circle of the imaginary celestial sphere that occurs on the same plane as Earth’s equator.
Because of the Earth’s tilt at about 23.44 degrees, the planet will experience equal hours of day and night. From today, the Northern Hemisphere will experience shorter days and the Southern Hemisphere will experience longer days.
The equinoxes mark more the wane of the previous season than the beginning of the coming one. The North will soon see longer nights. As an Irish proverb reportedly says, “Autumn days come quickly, like the running of a hound on the moor.”
But the Southern Hemisphere will see longer days, more flowers, and the growing light and warmth of summer. Our friends and family living in the Southern Hemisphere begin the journey toward summer. For them, the days will begin to lengthen and become warmer as light triumphs over dark, and the Earth reawakens from its winter slumber.
Beginning tomorrow, the Sun will enter Libra in the traditional Zodiac (the sidereal zodiac, the sun’s transit to Libra occurs much later, usually after October 31). Libra is the only zodiac sign represented by an object, the scales. They represent justice and are held by the Greek Titaness, Themis, the personification of divine order, fairness, custom, and law. Libra is also the cardinal sign of air, sharing that element with Aquarius and Gemini.
Image credit: AnotherGypsy – CC BY-SA 4.0
In the Northern Hemisphere, the full moon closest to the September Equinox is called the Harvest Moon. The rose two nights ago in the constellation of Pisces, on the evening of September 20 at 7:13 EDT. It was accompanied by the planets, Venus and Jupiter. Saturn made a brief appearance also.
Outside of religious life, the Fall of the North season is well celebrated. It is punctuated by harvest celebrations, craft and arts festivals, outdoor sports, pumpkin picking, scarecrow contests, corn mazes, and the aromas of spice and apple cider.
Pumpkin spice has already been unleashed on an unsuspecting world a few weeks ago. Pictures of early colored leaves sailed through Facebook posts accompanied by anticipation and trepidation.
Famed French author Albert Camus said, “Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.”
Many Asian cultures and overseas Chinese communities celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival beginning on the full moon falling on the 15th day of the 8th month of the Chinese lunisolar calendar. The festival is based on the legend of Chang’e (嫦娥), the moon goddess. Open-air altars are built for her and delicious mooncake pastries are made as part of her veneration.
From ancient to modern cultures, the harvest period was a time of both work and celebration. Many of these celebrations are marked by thanksgiving, whether religious or secular in nature. Gratitude is given to deities, ancestors, family, friends, community, self, and nature.
In some modern Pagan traditions, the autumnal equinox is the second of three harvest festivals, with the first being Lughnasadh and the third being Samhain.
The Pagan holiday, or Sabbat in some traditions, occurring at the September Equinox in the Northern Hemisphere is known by a variety of names. For Wiccans and Witches, it is often called “Harvest Home” or “Mabon.” In Druidic and Celtic-oriented Pagan groups, it can be called “Mid-Harvest,” “Foghar,” or “Alban Elfed.” In modern Asatru, it is sometimes called “Winter Finding.” The Greek term for it (using Latin letters) is “Phthinopohriní Isimæría.” In Old English, it was called “efnniht.”
Some just call it “Fall.”
We reached out to some Pagans about what they are thankful for.
Raven, a Witch who lives on the Atlantic Coast in Florida, shared, “In spite of a difficult year, I find much for which to be thankful. The birth of my grandson in August, and that my daughter and he came through a difficult birth safely. That I have not lost any family or friends (knock on wood) to this horrible Covid-19. For family and friends that keep in touch, and help keep my spirits up in a difficult time. For all of the great people involved in animal rescue and fostering. And for my chosen Path, the Gods, Elementals, and all that that entails, to keep me steady and balanced. ”
Janine Nelson, Public Information Office of the Covenant of the Goddess shared, “I am thankful for my Pagan Community and the amazing gifts they share. Through The Covenant of the Goddess, I have met strong, creative Wiccans and Witches, a diverse group of individuals, who strive to make their personal, professional, and spiritual lives better through Magick.”
Sheri Barker, a columnist at TWH, said, “I am grateful for this body that is still willing to work with me on healing and improved health and fitness, no matter how many times I have let it down. I am grateful for the challenges presented by sharing my home with my elderly father-in-law because they provide a sometimes too-consistent opportunity for lessons in communication, boundaries, and compassion. I am grateful for an ever-evolving cast of companions as I continue to journey through this time and space.”
Marla, a Witch near the Florida-Georgia line said, “Thinking about thankfulness today and it occurs to me, that even in this time of pandemic and social media unrest, I personally have much to be thankful for. Primarily I am thankful for my spouse and the life we are developing on our farm in North Florida. Even when the free-ranging chickens poop on the front porch, I know that I will benefit from the eggs they leave all over the farm. I am thankful for the ease of communication with my relatives that do not live in the same state as I do so that we can text and video call multiple times a week.
“Finally, I am thankful for my Pagan community. I’m a board member of Mystic South, an annual conference held in Atlanta, and a member of Everglades Moon Local Council, which is part of Covenant of the Goddess. I’m also an Elder in the Georgian Tradition and a Faery Seer apprentice. All these affiliations have given me the opportunity to develop friendships and life bonds. This Mabon harvest, I am thankful. ”
Chrismar, a “not too dedicated” Pagan in South Florida, said when asked about Mabon, “Given everything going on in the world, I’m grateful to live in a safe and loving environment.”
Others were thankful for more pragmatic and immediate events.
Sable, a Pagan in Northeast Ohio, after taking a moment to consider various options, shared, “I am thankful that my familiar, FloofyCat, jumped down from the table to vomit a hairball rather than use the obviously more convenient but dry clean only altar cloth.”
Tiber in Miami looked outside and just said, “air conditioning.”
Whether you are celebrating the Ostara, Mabon, spring, or fall, may your blessings be abundant this equinox.
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But the Southern Hemisphere will see longer days, more flowers, and the growing light and warmth of summer. Our friends and family living in the Southern Hemisphere begin the journey toward summer. For them, the days will begin to lengthen and become warmer as light triumphs over dark, and the Earth reawakens from its winter slumber.
Pagans believe that as nature undergoes a shift from summer to autumn, so too do they experience personal shifts and transformations. It is believed that the energy of the equinox can help individuals let go of what no longer serves them and embrace new beginnings. Many pagans also celebrate the September equinox as a time of ritual and ceremony. They may gather in groups or individually to honor the changing of the seasons and to connect with the natural world. Rituals may include offerings to deities or spirits, meditation, divination, and the casting of spells or intentions. Overall, the September equinox holds deep spiritual meaning for pagans. It is a time of balance, gratitude, transformation, and ritual. By honoring this celestial event, pagans seek to align themselves with the rhythms of nature and to cultivate a greater sense of connection with the earth and the cycles of life..
Reviews for "The Seasonal Shift: Exploring the September Equinox in Pagan Beliefs"
1. Emily - 2/5 stars - I attended a September equinox pagan beliefs gathering out of curiosity, but I left feeling disappointed. The event lacked structure and direction, with no clear explanation of the rituals and beliefs involved. It felt like a jumbled mess of various pagan practices with no cohesive theme or purpose. Additionally, the organizers seemed disorganized and unprepared, which further hindered my experience. Overall, it felt more like a chaotic social gathering rather than a meaningful pagan celebration.
2. Michael - 1/5 stars - I consider myself open-minded when it comes to spiritual practices, but the September equinox pagan beliefs event I attended was just downright bizarre. There were people dressed in strange costumes, chanting incoherently, and engaging in odd rituals that made no sense to me. It all seemed like a bunch of pseudoscience and nonsense. Not to mention, the event attracted some eccentric individuals who were more interested in being seen and heard than genuinely engaging in meaningful spiritual practices. I left feeling confused and rather unimpressed.
3. Sarah - 2/5 stars - As someone who has studied various belief systems and practices, I was hopeful that the September equinox pagan beliefs gathering would provide insightful perspectives. However, I found the event to be shallow and lacking in depth. The rituals performed felt superficial, with no real connection or understanding of their origins. The organizers didn't provide much information or context, which left attendees like me feeling disconnected from the experience. Overall, it felt like a missed opportunity to delve into the richness and complexity of pagan beliefs surrounding the equinox.
4. John - 1/5 stars - I attended the September equinox pagan beliefs event with an open mind, but it only served to disappoint. The gathering was disorganized, with little structure or clear purpose. The rituals performed were seemingly random and lacked any meaningful explanation. It felt more like a group of individuals going through the motions, rather than a genuine celebration of pagan beliefs. I left feeling unfulfilled and frustrated with the lack of substance and coherence during the entire event.