As the days shorten and the air cools, we arrive at one of my favourite points in the year, the autumn equinox. There’s something about this season that feels grounding and full of meaning. The light softens, the leaves begin to turn, and nature reminds us of the beauty in change.
What is the Autumn Equinox?
The autumn equinox marks the point when day and night are almost equal in length. It usually falls around 22nd to 23rd September each year, and in 2025, the equinox will occur on 22nd September. From this moment, the nights gradually become longer than the days as we move towards winter.
In the UK, it’s sometimes called the September equinox or the fall equinox, depending on where you’re reading. But no matter what name you use, it symbolises the same thing: a turning point in the year, a shift from light to dark, and a time to pause and reflect.
The Wheel of the Year & the Equinox
On the Wheel of the Year, the autumn equinox (sometimes called Mabon) is one of eight key points that honour the cycles of nature. These markers connect us to the shifting seasons, from the growth of spring and summer, through harvest and into the stillness of winter. The equinox sits opposite the spring equinox, balancing the wheel, reminding us that life moves in rhythm: growth, harvest, rest, renewal.
Following the equinox, the next great turning point is Samhain at the end of October, the traditional fire festival that marked the Celtic new year, honouring both endings and beginnings, the thinning of the veil, and the quiet transition into winter.
What Does the Autumn Equinox Symbolise?
For me, the equinox is about balance. Day and night, light and dark, it’s a reminder that everything has its place, and that one cannot exist without the other.
Traditionally, the equinox was a time of harvest celebrations. Communities gave thanks for what had grown, gathered their crops, and prepared for the darker months ahead. It was a moment of both gratitude and letting go.
Symbolically, it’s about:
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Gratitude: Honouring what has bloomed in your life this year.
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Balance: A reminder to check in with yourself, where can you invite more equilibrium?
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Transition: Letting go of what no longer serves you, just as the trees release their leaves.
How to Celebrate the Autumn Equinox in the UK
Celebrating the equinox doesn’t need to be elaborate, it can be as simple or meaningful as you’d like. Here are a few ideas:
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Take a nature walk 🍁 notice the changes in the leaves, the air, the light.
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Create a gratitude list ✍️ reflect on what you’ve harvested in your life this year.
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Light a fire or candle 🔥 the equinox is traditionally a fire festival, a way to honour the shift of the seasons and welcome balance.
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Share a meal 🥖 celebrate the harvest by cooking something seasonal with loved ones.
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Journal prompts:
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What am I grateful for right now?
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What feels out of balance in my life, and how can I shift it?
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What am I ready to let go of this season?
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Why I Love the Autumn Equinox
Personally, autumn has always felt like home to me. The crisp mornings, the golden leaves, the slower pace, the Hygge lifestyle, it’s a season that invites reflection. I keep a Wheel of the Year image in my bedroom, and I love how it reminds me that we’re always moving through cycles, each one with its own wisdom.
The autumn equinox, for me, is a little pause button. A chance to check in, rebalance, and set intentions for the months ahead, before the deep stillness of winter and the threshold of Samhain, where we gather around fires, candles, and stories to honour what has passed and prepare for what’s ahead.
Final Thoughts
The autumn equinox is more than just a date in the calendar, it’s a reminder of cycles, balance, and gratitude. However you choose to mark it, take a moment to honour what this season brings into your life. As the nights draw in, may you find comfort in the slowing down, joy in the beauty of change, and warmth in the firelight that carries us into winter.
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