When light meets dark: honouring the autumn equinox.

A simple re-alignment ritual to welcome the seasonal shift.

The autumn equinox arrives as a moment of balance when day and night are exactly equal. It’s a natural pause in the year that invites us to reflect on what has passed, let go of what no longer serves us, and set intentions for the months ahead. These seasonal thresholds are opportunities to pause and recalibrate, bringing ourselves back into alignment with both nature and our deeper purpose. In the northern hemisphere, the equinox falls on September 22, 2025.

Across cultures, this turning point has always carried meaning:The Mayans gathered at Chichén Itzá to watch sunlight form the shape of a serpent on the great pyramid.In Japan, Higan marks a time of reflection and honouring ancestors.In the UK, harvest festivals celebrate gratitude for the season’s abundance.

These traditions remind us that the equinox is more than just a date on the calendar — it’s a marker of transition. And while modern life rarely slows for the seasons, there is something grounding about pausing to acknowledge these shifts. They tether us back to nature, and to ourselves.

As summer fades, we feel autumn drawing us inward. The mornings turn cooler, evenings grow darker, and the pace of life subtly shifts. There’s often a bittersweetness in this transition as we say goodbye to long, golden evenings but give ourselves the chance to slow down, restore, and prepare for the quieter months ahead.

This season is a reminder that balance comes not only from growth and activity, but also from release and rest. Autumn gives us the perfect moment to recalibrate; an opportunity to step back, take stock, and realign with what matters most.

A Simple Ritual for the Equinox:

You don’t need elaborate ceremonies to mark the shift of the season. Even a short moment of reflection can bring alignment. Here’s a simple practice to try around the time of the equinox.

Create a seasonal altar: Honour the moment by creating a shrine in your house, as simple or elaborate as you please. This can include things like seasonal flowers from your local florist, candles, crystals and a few drops of essential oils in a burner. With the essential oils you could try mixing a heavy, dark base fragrance like sandalwood with a light mid / top not such as rose or bergamot to create the perfect blend for the season.

Write it out: Acknowledge the dark as well as the light. Jot down what you’re grateful for from the past season, as well as what you’d like to leave behind. Make a note of what you’re excited about in the future.

Breathe: Exhale old, inhale new. Sit quietly for ten minutes, focusing on your inhale and exhale. Count to four on your inhale, and eight on your exhale. Longer exhales help to balance your parasympathetic nervous system.

Introduce a new practice: Just as autumn brings a shift in rhythm, it also offers a fresh start. This is an ideal moment to begin a small new practice, for example:

• Journalling first thing in the morning

• Walking in nature after work

• Limiting screen time by only checking your phone at set times during the day

• Creating a set time each day to pause, breathe and check in

  
  

By honouring the equinox, we realign ourselves with nature’s cycles. We remember that balance is not something we chase, but something we have the power to create — through gratitude, reflection, and small daily acts of intention.

So as the season turns, may you find clarity in what to let go of, courage in what to begin, and peace in the balance of light and dark.