The Significance of the Autumn Equinox

On Sunday the 22nd we experienced the equinox, after a long summer, the days are as of now equal length to the night with the nights growing longer. The browning of the leaves and smells of decomposing in the air contrast to the dryness and heat we’ve known for months; and for some this time of the year can be a struggle.

With the summer being our busiest season, we spend our time outdoors, charged by the sun, seeing projects through and making the most of our long days,. As our warmer, brighter days begin to fade there can be a sense of loss that presides. Perhaps the waning of the sun signifies a time pressure to get our last stints of projects finished? Maybe we would have liked more time or feel guilty that we are facing conditions that force us to slow down?

Regardless of what is going on in our respective lives, there’s no getting around the fact that the days draw to an end sooner; and as our climate shifts towards its resting period, we might have to do the same. 

For me, my brain does not stop whirring in summer – there’s too much to do, its rare I actually get to stop to rest. I spend it gardening, riding my motorbike and camping – this year we managed to start decorating the flat. Giving my own hallway a touch of paint was therapeutic in ways I couldn’t have imagined, even though we did vastly underestimate how long one small room would take! Despite getting so much done this year, my brutal never-ending-ADHD-fueled-to-do-list keeps adding and adding. As quickly as something is ticked off, another to-do is put on, it can very much feel like 2-steps-forward, 3-steps-back. I do not have time to rest much as my productive surge snowballs until I’m physically forced to. 

That’s where autumn comes in… as I walk the dog in the morning, observing the brown leaves littered on the floor, colouration transforming from greens to browns – I take a deep sigh. Finally, my local landscape emanates the message to start slowing down. The earth begins to let go, shifting its focus from production, to harvest and hibernate. The skies are so changeable now its hard to predict when I can get on my bike, the dog towel comes out as he gets soaked from dewy grass in the mornings. Fruit and leafy greens become less appealing and root vegetables become my main staple. Summer hippy wardrobe goes into the loft, gothy dark layers come down. It’s a transition period, one that keeps us inside occasionally, thinking more about food, and less about decorating. 

Instead of resisting, how can we feel like part of the natural energetic fabric around us? In my practice, I’ve began to incorporate moon salutations as part of my regular routine – honouring the night as much as the day helps to shift our perspective that its just as imperative in our life balance. Pranayama techniques encourage us to take our focus to the breath, and slow down our internal worlds through simplicity. Simply counting to 4 for an inhalation, holding for 4, breathing out for 4, and holding for 4, for a few minutes can bring your mind back to the present. Begin to consciously take your time a bit more, when driving or getting about, try to think to yourself, “there… is… no… rush…”.  The sooner we can begin to just tip our busy minds in the direction of slowness, as the season does so with us, the more ease we will feel throughout our days. 

You’ve worked hard, revel in your abundance and slow down the treadmill just a notch. Soon enough, it’ll be winter. Take care my lotuses.

Om shanti, namaste ‘an-all that.  

~ Wavy ~