Autumn Equinox

The Autumn Equinox is when the sun is aligned with the equator and the day and night are of equal length. The first time I celebrated the Autumn Equinox was in 2012 in Madrid with my friend, Julia.

I remember I looked up ways to make a shrine and set up a spread with objects symbolizing earthly entities in the direction of a compass. I brought the red scarf to encircle the space, a multitool to represent masculine energy in the north, and a mini lightbulb for feminine energy in the south. Julia brought elemental representation to surround the compass: the candles, a glass of water, and a rock in the top right. I don’t remember why we put a heart lollipop and tik-tacs, maybe something about nourishment, love, freshness, and silliness.

My approach to this year’s equinox was a bit different. I looked on Pinterest for info guides, examples of shrines, and inspiration for different objects of nature and picked up spices, produce, and flowers to include in this year’s shine.

Putting the elements of the shrine together is like collaging with objects. Part of my process to assemble my shine is to keep trying different combinations and not be afraid to look silly. I had plenty of less interesting photoshoots but out of that spawned these cute apple cinnamon aliens.

Setting up a shrine of gratitude is a reflection of me, my energy, and my emotional state. My first impressions of my shine are very thoughtful and sweet, like a signature dotted with hearts, attracting love, abundance, and silliness.

I watched a couple of videos about celebrating the equinox, also called Mabon in the Wicca custom. Traditional practices include spending time with trees, incorporating clear quarts in shines for attracting positivity, and a diy broom to physically and metaphorically cleanse the space. Also baking, making soups and preserves, and eating seasonally.

Casual rituals suggest getting into the autumn spirit by watching autumn films, reading a cozy book, pressing leaves, and making autumn photo albums.

I learned an Apple Spell for abundance by cutting it across the core to reveal its pentagonal star that matches the star anise and the stars within our core. Using apples in a shrine is similar to crystal therapy, it’s adapting a special living energy into my prayers and intentions. My hopes for this autumn are to attract kind people around me from strangers to loving relationships.

This Autumn Equinox fell on a beautiful weekend in Los Angeles. By practicing gratitude through ritual, I feel a stronger connection to this blessing. In these ways, I am thanking nature for a gracious summer and blessing this autumn with a clean space, new goals, and good intentions.

2012 Madrid, Spain / Equinox picnic with Julia

2012 Madrid, Spain / Our Shrine

September 29th, 2024