Three Meaningful Ways to Observe the Autumn Equinox

Welcome Fall with Ayurveda, Mabon and Traditional Chinese Medicine

Ghosties and Goblins and Pumpkin Spice Lattes

Warm Fuzzy Sweaters and leaves that turn yellow

Air popping popcorn for rewatching Scream

These are a few of my favorite fall things

Soups left to simmer and hot apple cider

Fragrant cranberries and mystery novels

Frostbitten mornings that shimmer and gleam

These are few of my favorite fall things

Today is the autumn equinox— the first, official day of fall in the Northern Hemisphere. Many people count fall as their favorite season and for good reason! The comforting warmth of seasonal food, cozy clothing and celebratory occasions invite us to slow down, count our blessings and enjoy life’s little indulgences.

In honor of this transitional day, I’m sharing some ancient wisdom to help you tap into the energetics of fall. From the traditions of Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine to the celebrations of Mabon, there are many meaningful ways to align with the rhythms of this beloved season.

Ayurveda

Ayurveda, the ancient Indian system of holistic medicine, is known as the science of life. It seeks to bring balance to the body, mind, and spirit by working with five elements: ether, air, fire, water, and earth

At the heart of Ayurvedic wisdom are three categories called doshas. Each person is born with a unique constitution made up of all three doshas in varying proportions.

Here are the doshas, the elements they represent and a few of their characteristics:

Kapha (earth+water) - heavy, slow, soft, stable, sweet

Pitta (fire+water) - hot, sharp, intense, oily, mobile

Vata (air+ether) - cool, dry, spacey, light, brittle

According to Ayurveda, the year is divided into three doshic seasons. The Autumn Equinox coincides with the shift from the fiery heat of pitta season to the cool, dry atmosphere of vata. As vata season begins, the weather cools, moisture fades and nature prepares for dormancy.

Ayurveda follows the principle that "like increases like, and opposites create balance." During vata season, it's important to counter its light, dry, and airy qualities with grounding practices. Opt for warming foods like soups and spiced teas, swap raw salads for cooked vegetables, and replace the fast-paced activities of summer with slower, gentler pastimes. Reading, baking, and grounding yoga or meditation practices will help you reconnect with your roots and stabilize your energy.

Here are a few articles to take you deeper into this subject:

Embracing the Autumnal Equinox: Health and Wellness Tips

Fall Equinox: An Ayurvedic perspective on transitioning into fall

Mabon

If you're feeling drawn to nature, consider celebrating Mabon, the pagan harvest festival centered on balance, harmony, and gratitude

Mabon is the time to harvest the fruits of our labor and pause to appreciate the abundance around us. Sometimes called the pagan Thanksgiving, it’s the perfect occasion to gather friends and loved ones for a seasonal potluck. Enjoy apple cider, stuffed squash, pumpkin soup, and cranberry desserts while expressing gratitude for the harvest and the company you share it with..

As one of the eight festivals on the Celtic Wheel of the Year, Mabon reflects the seasonal cycles. To connect with its spirit, spend time in nature observing the quiet wisdom of the changing landscape.

Finally, embrace the comfort of fall by decorating your home with autumnal decor. Surround yourself with reminders of the season, letting their warmth and beauty guide you toward a sense of balance.

Here are some additional resources for those who would like to explore further:

Mabon 2024: A Witches Guide to Embracing and Celebrating the Harvest Season

Mabon House

Traditional Chinese Medicine

Traditional Chinese Medicine revolves around the idea that a vital life force, known as Qi, flows through all living beings. When Qi flows freely, the body is healthy. Illness arises when there are blockages, or imbalances in Yin & Yang— complimentary, yet dualistic forces that are constantly interacting with each other.

At this time, the active Yang energy of summer is receding and restful Yin energy is increasing. Compliment this seasonal shift by going to bed/getting up earlier and dining on soups, stews and root vegetables to ground your energy and prepare for winter.

Traditional Chinese medicine uses five elements—earth, fire, water, wood, and metal—to explain the relationship between the body’s internal organs and the external environment.

Autumn is linked to the metal element. Metal governs the lungs and large intestine, influencing respiration and elimination. It’s important to counteract dryness and protect the lungs this time of year with moistening foods like honey— hot tea’s favorite companion!

In terms of elimination, we can honor this aspect of our lives with a willingness to let go. We take our cue from the ease with which the trees release their leaves. It is a time of introspection. What has served its purpose and run its course in your life? What are you ready to let go of?

Here is an excellent article to help you explore the wisdom of traditional Chinese medicine further:

Autumn & Chinese Medicine - The Way of Yin

Rise / Practice

Sometimes, when I’m looking for classes to match the theme of an issue, I have to dig really deep. This was not one of those weeks! I was actually shocked at the amount of classes that felt like a perfect fit. For that simple fact, I’m sharing more than usual. It was hard to whittle all of the amazing classes down. Lucky You!!

Dru Yoga Autumn Activations | Akasha Yoga With Veronica

9 Minutes | All Levels | Beginner Friendly

This class is truly one-of-a-kind—uplifting, fun, and full of energy! I loved every moment from start to finish. The teacher's vibrant, bubbly energy is absolutely contagious. I can honestly say I’ve never experienced anything quite like it.

I couldn’t stop smiling during, and long after, the class. Within minutes, I felt a sense of giddiness that stayed with me well into my day. I’ll definitely be coming back to this class often

Equinox Slow Flow | Magical Autumn Yoga | Wheel of the Year | Moon Medicine Yoga

30 Minutes | All Levels | Beginner Friendly

I practiced this lovely class on a sunny Sunday while waiting for my husband to return home from moose hunting. I had a big pot of chili simmering on the stove, cornbread cooling on the counter and an empty house all to myself.

This class was such a nice way to bide my time. This teacher offers lots of poses with varying degrees of difficulty. She often demos the most advanced version before settling into a less intense, beginner friendly modification. I almost always go with the most basic modifications because they feel the best in my body.

Autumn Equinox Yoga | Coy 30 Minute Flow to Celebrate Mabon & The Beginning of Fall | Amara Flows

35 Minutes | All Levels

Out of all the Autumn Equinox/Mabon classes I tried this week, this one surprised me the most—it was the most challenging, yet so enjoyable. I fell out of half moon pose multiple times, got completely lost in a tricky transition, and completely skipped a few poses. But I loved it! I just did what I could.

Amara’s teaching style is encouraging, and her pacing felt just right. Even though parts of the class were difficult, she never left me behind. There was always enough time to breathe, adjust, and find the version of the pose that worked best for my body.

I like to practice “advanced” classes like this (from time to time) because they give me the chance to try new things, test my limits, and play. I had fun experimenting with some of the tougher poses. I simply made my attempts (or didn’t), laughed at myself, and then settled into the variations that felt right for me.

I’m looking forward to trying more of Amara’s classes soon.

Autumn Equinox Yoga Nidra to Restore Balance | Kristyn Rose Yoga

1 Hour | All Levels | Beginner Friendly

I waited all week for the perfect moment to practice this long, luxurious Yoga Nidra class, and it finally came on Saturday when my teen was fast asleep and my husband was out for an early morning moose hunt.

It was worth the wait!! I savored every minute of this soothing session. If you can carve out an hour for yourself, I highly recommend settling in with this beautiful practice from Krysten Rose. You will not regret it.

Though the Autumn Equinox is technically today, the energy it brings will be felt for weeks to come. Which is good news because there are so many themes to explore! Take your time with the information offered today and feel into what seems the most relevant for your life.

I hope you have a comfy, cozy week.

See you next Sunday!