The Autumn Equinox is upon us, a day that ushers in fall and says 'so long' to summer. The outdoor activities we've been engaging in since early June are now winding down, only to be replaced by new ones, like tailgating at football games or taking drives down country lanes to appreciate the lovely colors of the leaves now turning. It is a mysterious time when we bid a fond farewell to yet another cycle of summer. The annual equinox falls on September 22 this year, a day that divides the day and the night equally. These energies whisper and prompt us to pay our respects to the impending darkness soon to come. Long considered a time of mysteries, many religions observe seasonal days of celebration during late September.
Some common themes that weave through this period are balance, harmony, harvesting, hunting and a remembrance of the dead. In Japan, there is a widely practiced ceremony conducted on the Autumn Equinox called 'Higan-e.' This is practiced on this day not only because the length of daylight and darkness are exactly the same but because the Sun rises due east and sets directly in the west. The word 'higan' translated means arriving at the other shore and therefore signifies 'going across.' This ceremony speaks to crossing from an impure world to a sacred one, and these energies can be easily accessed on this day.
Give thanks for the abundance that the long days of summer allowed us to accrue and take these moments to balance, to rest, simply to be. Try to recognize and remember that what often appears as a 'death' is merely a preparation for another birth to come. What is reaped as reward in this harvest becomes a seed for our next birthing energies and efforts as we each head towards that 'other shore.'
On this night, light a white candle and stare into the flames. Ask for guidance and assistance in 'seeing' clearly. On this evening of beginnings and endings, ask for the power to fully understand the past while also fully experiencing the present. Ask what you need to know to experience success in your future. Breathe deeply and relax. Take a few minutes to ponder that last question as you gaze into the flames. Close your eyes and 'listen' for your answer. After a few minutes with your eyes closed, you will receive a thought that will be a guiding light for you. Write it down and give gratitude for this personal harvest. May you walk in beauty in a sacred way, and may you rest in beauty each and every day!
