September Equinox and the First Day of Autumn

The Start of Fall and Ancient Customs Linked with the Autumn Equinox

The September equinox marks a time when day and night are near enough equal throughout the world. On the day of the autumn equinox which is usually between 21st and 23rd September, the Sun enters the sign of Libra, the sign of the Scales and balance.

Autumn Equinox Celebrations and the Druids

In ancient times it was customary to celebrate the spring and autumn equinoxes and the summer and winter solstices. The druids called the celebrations at this time Mea'n Fo'mhair and would honour the Green Man or the gods and goddesses of the forest by making offerings to the trees. Mabon celebrates the second harvest; a time when winter preparations begin.

Ancient people honoured the seasons and linked occurrences on the outside, in nature, with their lives and their spirituality. They acknowledged the gradual disappearing of the sun and gave thanks for the harvest being safely gathered in. During this time they would consider how well their crops had done and prepare for the winter ahead. All the hard work of the past few months had been brought to fruition and food was stored for the coming months of scarcity.

Traditions Associated with the Autumn or Fall Equinox

Whereas the Spring equinox is a time of 'promises of things to come' the Autumn equinox brings a time of 'fulfilment and preparation.' Man might reflect on his achievements, let go of aspects of life that have served their purpose and gets ready for the winter ahead.

It is traditional at this time of the year to reflect on the balance in life, honouring both the darkness and the light. Traditional practices also include walking in forests and wild places, gathering seeds, herbs and dried plants. These would be used to decorate the home or to make herbal medicines.

Mabon is named after the Welsh God, the Great Son or Great Hunter who was abducted from his mother and imprisoned in the Otherworld. Here he remained until the Spring when he was rescued by Merlin and restored to light.

Demeter and Persephone and the Seasons

This tale is similar to the Greek myth of Demeter and Persephone. In Greek mythology, the start of autumn coincides with the time the goddess Persephone returns to the underworld to live with her husband Hades. Persephone was abducted by Hades who fell in love with her and took her to the underworld. Persephone's mother, Demeter, goddess of grain and the harvest was so distressed by the loss of her daughter that in her grief, she withdrew her nurturing presence from the earth. Flowers wilted, and crops on earth died and became dormant. The earth became cold and barren.

It was eventually agreed that Persephone could return to her mother for two thirds of the year but would spend the remaining months with Hades. While Persephone is with her husband in the underworld, seeds lie hidden in the barren ground and when she returns to her mother, Demeter celebrates by resuming her divine duties and restoring fertility to the earth. Seeds bust forth in crops and fruits and life reborn.

Mooncakes and Moon Festival

In China the mid-Autumn Festival (the Moon Festival) occurs around the time of the September equinox. This celebration which dates back more than 3000 years rejoices in the abundance of the summer's harvest and takes place when the moon is at its maximum brightness in the whole year. Moon cakes are the food of this festival (which will be on October 3rd in 2009). Mooncakes are Chinese pastries filled with lotus, sesame seeds, dried fruit and containing one or more whole salted egg yolks in its centre to symbolise the full moon. Mooncakes themselves symbolise the gathering of friends and family.

Other names for the Autumn Equinox include:

Fall, Night of the Hunter, the Second Harvest, the Witch's Thanksgiving, Mabon, Michaelmas, Feast of Avalon, Festival of Dionysus

First Published in Yahoo Voices, 2009