Honoring the Autumnal Equinox: A Ritual of Balance, Reflection & Surrender
The Autumnal Equinox arrives as a sacred pause…a threshold where day and night come into perfect balance before we descend into the darker half of the year. It is a moment to honor transition: from the outward energy of summer to the inward turning of autumn, from radiance and expansion to reflection and surrender.
In the Return to Rhythm Ritual Guide, this season aligns with the luteal phase of the cycle—what I call Inner Autumn. Just as the trees soften their hold and allow their leaves to fall, our bodies and spirits ask us to release what no longer serves, to forgive what feels heavy, and to prepare for sacred rest.
The Medicine Wheel & the West
On the medicine wheel, autumn corresponds with the West…the direction of letting go, transformation, and deep wisdom. The West invites us to honor what has come to fruition while also having the courage to release what is ready to be composted.
This is the season to lean into:
Reflection on what this cycle has taught you.
Softening your grip on outdated stories or expectations.
Surrendering into the mystery of what is to come.
A Simple Equinox Ritual
Here is an adaptation from the Inner Autumn: Reflection & Surrender ritual in the guide:
Create Your Altar
Place a bowl of water at the center and add lavender or rosemary. Water reminds us of flow, forgiveness, and cleansing.Breathe Into Release
Inhale through your nose, then sigh out of your mouth. Repeat eight times, letting each exhale carry away a layer of tension.Write & Fold
On a small piece of paper, write what you are softening around…habits, stories, or relationships ready to shift. Fold the paper and place it beneath your bowl of water.Candle & Invocation
Carve the word SURRENDER into a candle, light it, and say aloud:
“By this flame, my heart will flow. I honor the tide, I let it go.”Seal Your Practice
Place your hands on your heart and whisper:
“The waters cleanse me. The cycle begins again.”
Reflection for This Equinox
Take time this week to journal on:
What am I ready to soften around?
Where is forgiveness needed in my life?
How can I prepare myself for the season of rest ahead?
The equinox is not just a seasonal shift, it is an embodied reminder that balance is fleeting, but surrender is always available.
If you feel called to deepen into these seasonal practices, my Return to Rhythm Ritual Guide offers rituals for each phase of the cycle, reflections, and breath practices to support you in living attuned to the wisdom of your body and the Earth.
✨ Download your free guide here »
And as we cross this threshold into the darker months, you’re invited to join the Return to Rhythm: Winter Journey, a self-paced immersion with breathwork, ritual, and seasonal practices to carry you through the inner winter with grounding and grace.
