The autumn equinox is an extremely important time of the year. It’s a time of harvesting the abundance and gathering up the fruits from the year’s work. This symbolism aligns perfectly with what this time of year means for the human cycle, too.

After planting the seeds early in the year, when we set our goals and intentions for the new year, and then tending to our gardens, which are our goals, it’s finally time to start reaping the benefits of our hard work from the year. Everything we have done up to now is paying us back and setting us up for the rest of the year so we can restart with new goals in the new year.

But autumn is also a time when the days are getting shorter and darker. It’s a time when we are looking for reflection on what we have accomplished and what happened during the earlier part of the year, as well as balance.

The autumn equinox is the day when we experience an equal amount of daylight and darkness. It’s the one day of the year when there is complete optimal balance. Nature is always a reflection of our lives and provides us with growth and guidance. 

During autumn, balance is created by the shedding of leaves. Nature sheds old patterns to prepare for new growth in the spring. Each year, it starts over and becomes a brand new version of itself. We can do the same thing.

Creating Balance In Your Life During The Autumn Equinox

Autumn is often the time of year when burnout and exhaustion start to hit. The autumn equinox reminds us that it’s time to create balance in our lives and be intentional about what we allow onto our plate during this time.

Make sure you’re focusing on only saying yes to things that help support the goals and intentions you set in January (or any other time of the year). If you don’t have room for something and it’s not supportive of your goals, the autumn equinox is a great reminder that it’s okay to say no.

Try these tips for finding balance in your routines, relationships and work during the autumn equinox:

• Routines: Try establishing a morning or evening ritual to ground yourself. Keep it roughly the same time and structure, but don’t keep it too rigid. Allow flexibility if something isn’t working. Integrate self-care practices, like meditation or journaling, to reflect on your day.
• Relationships: Set aside dedicated time for family or friends, ensuring you’re fully present by reducing distractions. But it’s okay to set boundaries and ensure you’re taking care of yourself and your peace. 
• Work: Prioritize tasks with a clear to-do list, setting boundaries on work hours to prevent burnout. Try creating easy-to-follow daily structures and work blocks to minimize adding extra things in that aren’t a priority and compromise your peace and balance. Try not to extend your day so you’re maintaining a balance between working and playing.
• Overall Balance: Schedule breaks and outdoor time, allowing nature to recalibrate your energy and promote mindfulness.

It’s also important during the autumn equinox to align your actions with the season energy. Remember, this time of year, the days are getting shorter and darker, the weather is becoming cooler and crisper. It’s a season of slowing down as we approach the hibernation energy of winter.

We also get themes of decluttering, shedding patterns to make room and start fresh in the new year. Your actions can reflect these priorities.

• Slow Down: Embrace the natural shift towards a slower pace as the days shorten. Add slower moments into your day, and don’t overload yourself with work and activities wherever possible.
• Focus on Gratitude: Reflect on what you’ve achieved and appreciate the blessings around you. Starting the darker season with gratitude and joy will set you up for a successful close to the year and keep your mental health in check.
• Declutter: Physically and mentally release what no longer serves you, much like the falling leaves. It’s time to shed the old patterns and stuff, go into the period of hibernation, and start fresh.
• Nourish Yourself: Focus on warm, grounding foods. This time of year is when things like squash become in season. Soups and warm, savoury meals are great at this time and can help your body strike a balance between the cool days.
• Balance Work and Rest: Make space for self-care and reflection. As mentioned earlier, don’t overload yourself or your family with things. Make sure you include slower moments and rest into each day. 
• Connect with Nature: Take mindful walks to absorb autumn’s beauty. The colours and energy of the autumn equinox are beautiful. Get out in nature and breathe in the season.
• Set Intentions: Reflect on your year and set grounded goals for the last quarter. We are about to go into the last quarter of the year, the last quarter to tackle and reach the goals you set at the start of the year. Take a quick review, and create a plan for the remainder of the year. Then, start to reflect and create your goals for the new year.

Using Reflection to Set Intentions

We have now experienced nine months of this current year, so reflecting on what you have already accomplished is important as you enter your final months of the year. As humans, we have something called a negativity bias. This is where we focus and remember the negative more than the positive. 

Knowing this, it’s important that you spend some time reflecting on the positives of the year, the things you’re grateful for, the lessons you’ve learned, and every small little thing that you’ve accomplished. 

Even if you haven’t reached your goals yet, think about what you can do to get there in the last quarter of the year, as well as what progress you made toward them.

Try these journalling prompts to reflect on past growth and set intentions for your future.

• Reflect on Your Progress: What areas of personal growth have you experienced this year? How have you evolved?
• Letting Go: What habits, thoughts or relationships no longer serve you? How can you release them?
• Gratitude: What are three things you’re most grateful for this year? How do they support your growth?
• Intentions: What do you want to focus on for the next three months?
• Action Plan: What steps will you take to align your daily actions with your intentions?

Rituals and Practices for the Autumn Equinox

Creating your own rituals and practices during the autumn equinox time will help you create more balance in your life as the days become shorter and darker. It’s about embracing the season, and aligning with the themes that this time of year brings. 

• Nature Walks to observe seasonal changes.
• Gratitude Journaling for daily reflection.
• Autumn Meditation for focusing on balance.
• Candle Lighting Rituals at sunrise or sunset.
• Seasonal Alter Creation with natural items.
• Herbal Tea Ceremony for grounding.
• Sun Salutations in the morning sun.
• Breathwork Exercises outside in fresh air.
• Mindful Eating of seasonal foods.
• Forest Bathing for relaxation.
• Harvest Rituals to celebrate abundance.
• Reflection Journalling on summer lessons.
• Letting-Go Ritual (e.g., writing and burning old intentions).
• Grounding Yoga Practice to connect with the earth.
• Mindful Crafting like leaf pressing or wreath-making.

Looking for support in shedding your old patterns that don’t support or align with your highest self so you can reach all of those big scary goals and live aligned with your highest potential?

Let go of everything that’s holding you back (for good), change your subconscious patterns, change the way you see yourself and what you deserve in life, and embody this most magnificent version of yourself. Step into this new power and live the life you know you’re meant to live.

If you want to rewrite your story, heal your inner child, and shift into your most liberated, confident self with ease, then it’s time to stop waiting for change. 

Release what no longer serves you, now, in the Highest Self Academy.