What is the autumn equinox
The autumn equinox is the precise moment when the Sun crosses directly above Earth’s equator, marking the astronomical start of autumn. Equinox comes from Latin, meaning “equal night” as day and night are roughly 12 hours long worldwide. In the Northern Hemisphere, it happens in September, usually around 21st-23rd. In the Southern Hemisphere, it happens in March.Autumn equinox in Neopagan religions
The celebration is called Mabon. It honors the equal length of the light and dark before the nights grow longer. People give thanks to the earth’s abundance and the autumn harvest.It is a time to slow down, reflect, and prepare for the cold winter months.
Autumn equinox in Mesopotamia
In Mesopotamia, the autumn equinox was the time of sowing; there was a festival dedicated to the moon god Nanna (or Sin) to bless the newly planted seeds. It was the turning point signaling the transition from the scorching dry summer (Emesh) to the cooler planting months (Enten). It was also a time to honor the major deities, like Anu, Enlil, and Enki.Simple ritual for the autumn equinox
Ingredients
• A white candle.• A black candle.
• A brown or deep orange candle (or any autumn-related color, or use white as a universal color).
• A needle, or some tool to carve into the Autumn candle.
• A vegetable oil.
Preparation of the Autumn candle
Carve the following symbol into the candle:As you do so, recite the following: “May the arms of Chaos reach down and embed this candle with the powers of Autumn. May you bless me with the rejuvenation before the longest night comes.”
After this is done, rub a vegetable oil on the candle; while doing so, recite the following: “I bless you with the power to grow what is planted deep within.”
Do what is described above either one day before the autumn equinox, or on the same day as the ritual.
The Autumn Ritual
Place the 3 candles on your altar in a triangular pattern. The triangle should point at you, with the Autumn candle being right in front of you. The black candle should go to the left far corner and the white candle at the right far corner. If you want to use any incense, put it at the center of the triangle, if the space permits.1. Close your eyes and take a couple of deep breaths.
2. Say: “As above, so below.”
3. Light the black candle.
4. Say: “As within.”
5. Light the white candle.
6. Say: “So without.”
7. Stay silent for a while to get a feeling for the moment.
8. Say: “With the power of the second breath!”
9. Light the Autumn candle.
10. Say “May my power flourish just like Nature flourishes before the long night!”
11. Close your eyes.
12. Say: “Bless what is seeded within as it may grow unhindered!”
13. Open your eyes and say “As above, so below.”
14. Take the black candle with your left hand; as you blow it, say “As within,” but keep holding it.
15. Take the white candle from the right side with your right hand; as you blow it, say “As without,” but keep holding it.
16. Say: “As below, so above.” Now you can put the candles aside.
17. You can let the Autumn candle lit, or you can blow it out and store it for the next year; this concludes the Autumn ritual.