In the northern hemisphere, September 23nd marks the Fall or Autumnal Equinox. Now is the time that trees and other plants draw their energy and life force inward, chipmunks and bunnies settle into their burrows and all of nature slows down and rests. People, as part of nature, instinctively do the same; though, many of us struggle against our own innate biological and spiritual cycle. As such, the Autumnal Equinox is for Turning Inward. This blog is meant to offer you lots of ideas on how to turn inward and explore!

What is the Autumnal Equinox?

Every year the earth’s equator crosses the center of the sun creating a day where daylight and
nighttime are approximately equal in duration: twelve hours for each. In a year, there are two days of “equal” night and day called: 1) the fall or autumnal equinox and 2) the spring or vernal equinox.

Northern Hemisphere Autumnal Equinox

For the northern hemisphere, the autumnal equinox defines the beginning of fall when days diminish and nights grow long. There’s a transition to colder and darker conditions of dormancy and rest. Emotionally and spiritually it’s a time for turning inward, personal reflection, and deepening perspective. 

In contrast, the southern hemisphere is moving into a period of vibrancy and expansion: spring arrives and progresses toward summer. So, when it’s the autumnal equinox in the north, it’s the spring equinox in the south, and vice versa. (See my blog on the spring or vernal equinox).

Why Turn Inward in Winter?

Nighttime is critical for mental and physical integration. This is a time when the mind, brain, and body sift and sort through the experiences of the day, integrate the new with older memories and information, re-evaluate and tweak the current logical frameworks, and update the biological filing system. Longer nights imply a greater capacity to sort, assess, and evolve. With more time to process, winter is an ideal time for spiritual reflection and personal growth and development.  

Darkness is Restorative and Nurturing

Many people associate darkness with bad and evil. On the contrary, the increasing darkness of fall and winter implies a well-deserved prolonged deep period of rest that follows the vigorous growth and productivity of summer; this applies to plants and animals alike. The very act of drawing inward, resting, and recharging signals the potential for another colorful spring and productive summer. 

Furthermore, the opportunity to slow down, go inside, reflect, and listen spawns important insights and learning from the past spring and summer’s successes and failures. This allows one to reawaken from winter with new perspectives and vigor. (see also my blog post Going Inside For the Winter)

How to Turn Inward For the Autumnal Equinox

Not everyone has the luxury to turn down the volume on life and all its responsibilities. In fact, work and study tend to intensify over the fall and winter months. Still, setting aside a few minutes each day or maybe 20 minutes to a half-hour several times a week allows you to follow your natural rhythms, and can be highly beneficial. Small steps equal small shifts, and they do add up.

Journaling:

Regular journaling is an excellent way to be cognizant of how daily experiences relate to your lifelong journey and knowledge. Writing can focus and train a distracted mind as well as provide an opportunity to entertain a number of different perspectives on a given situation. It also challenges existing logic and rewires your thinking. Writing promotes creativity and can expand perceptions. Even writing short notes and key phrases can create some space for shifts.

Meditation:

Meditation can help you to slow down as well as soften and expand your focus. Research provides ample evidence that meditating, especially when practiced regularly, can reduce signs and symptoms of stress and settle the mind. A clearer, more settled mind is more open and creative and is thus able to identify more opportunities and form better more self-affirming decisions.

See my blog post Why Meditate for more on the benefits of meditation. Also, see my blog on ideas on how to best combine meditation with the benefits of essential oils and subtle aromatherapy.

Energy Healing:

Energy Healing (e.g., Reiki, Integrated Energy Therapy (IET), ThetaHealing, Shamanic practices, Subtle Aromatherapy, and Fall Essential Oils) encompasses numerous ancient and modern modalities. Near all clear and balance the mind, body, and spirit, creating more ease, well-being, and health. Various modalities help release blockages, clarify goals, and support shifts and life moving forward. Energy healing can be practiced on the self or for others.

Personal Growth and Self Development:

Personal growth and self-development are processes. It can include any of the above activities as well as workshops, classes, reading, and exercises that create or reinforce open discovery, broader and deeper perspective-taking, embodied listening, and shifts that support self-ascribed vision and goals.

See my Spiritual Life Coaching and Natural Healing and Wellness workshops as examples.

Three Simple Steps to Turning Inward For the Autumnal Equinox

1) Set aside a little time before September 22 and decide what you’d like to reflect on and cultivate over the darker, quieter months:

• Where and/or how would like to see a change in yourself or in your life?
• What have you been putting aside over and over again, and you would now like to bring into your life, at least in some form, to some degree?
• Is there something that you would like to explore and reflect upon more?
• Do you have a burning personal question that begs your attention?

2) Once you have a topic or an area of intention and attention, decide how will you approach it. Options could include writing, meditating, dancing, walking and engaging with nature, participating in personal growth workshops, practicing or receiving alternative healing, focused spiritual practice, or perhaps a combination of activities.

3) Make your practice an important part of your life: one of your priorities. Commit to doing it, and do it!