Harvesting and Household Practices
Apple Harvesting: Apples ripen around the equinox and in the past people gathered, pressed or stored them. Apple picking at a fruit farm on this day could be a good way to bring this older ritual into your life and help you feel connected to the more ancient practices. Around where we live we have also seen many apple trees blooming in gardens and the countryside, and we have foraged a few to take home.
Storing for Winter: Drying herbs, pickling vegetables and making preserves were all things that people in past times would do around this stage. The equinox could make a good day to preserve something from any foraging you might have done (hello, blackberry jam) or perhaps bake an apple pie if you have gathered any.
Make a harvest knot: The “last sheaf” of wheat was seen as important, and often wheat from this last harvest were used to make a harvest knot, as a symbol of celebration. I have yet to make one myself but it is definitely on my to do list next year! Here is a video showing you how to make one.
Fire Rituals
As the equinox is a balance of equal light and dark, it figures that fire and light are central themes of how ancient communities marked this day.
Lighting a fire: If you are lucky to have a hearth or a wood burner outside, today could be a great day to light a little fire. Communities would light bonfires to honor the waning sun and keep celebrate warmth and light as the nights grew longer.
Balancing rituals: As the equinox is about balance, symbolic acts such as weighing seeds, balancing stones or lighting a candle at days start and days end would occur. I like the idea of making a tower out of balancing stones and contemplating and appreciating natures balance. Lighting candles at the beginning and end of the day is also a simple way to tap into this practice and incorporate fire and light.
Feasting and Community Traditions
An equinox feast: Closely linked with the harvest that has been gathered around this time, why not hold a “feast” today, with sharing bread, roasted nuts, seasonal fruit and vegetables?
Raise a glass: Cider, ale and new wine would have been in abundance at this time and part of the community feasting and sharing meals. To toast to the new season ahead, you could raise a glass of tea, warm cider, wine, whatever you fancy and celebrate the summers end and autumns beginning.
Nature Connection
Go on a seasonal walk: This is one I have done today to celebrate. If you get the chance, you could go on a seasonal walk and collect little signs of autumn that you see around you, such as acorns, pretty leaves, chestnuts, conkers or seeds. You could then use them to decorate your home if you wish to help bring the new season inside.
I hope you have fun trying a few of these to embrace the day and the turning of the season. Happy Autumn!
