Happy Mabon!

Here's how you can celebrate the autumn equinox.

Happy Mabon! Happy fall! ‘Tis autumn! My favorite time of year.

Today marks the autumn equinox in the Northern Hemisphere, which is the beginning of “astronomical fall.” At 2:19 p.m. ET, the sun will cross the celestial equator, creating a balance of daylight and darkness.

My poet’s heart is just singing at that sentence!

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Autumn and balance

To me, autumn means a time for reflection, harvest, and when you prepare for the darker, winter months. This season is about shedding your worries and focusing on growth, keeping your roots strong so that when spring comes, you already have that strength to face the sun and grow grow grow.

Like many, autumn is also when my pesky seasonal depression parks itself into my cerebral cortex. That’s why it’s important that I practice regular rituals to help calm my brain and remind myself that this is just a season of life — and one that I enjoy!! (Come on, serotonin! Work with me here!)

Regardless of the need to break out my indoor light, I love autumn in New England. I love the pumpkins and hay bales everywhere. I love seeing crows and feeling witchy. I love Halloween and apple picking and baking. I love sweater weather (read: sweatah weathah) and the smell of crisp air. Donuts and cider and pumpkin ales. Flannels and slippers and black cats and spooky movies.

Welcome, autumn! I love ya.

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Ways to celebrate Mabon and the autumn equinox

As I stated earlier, I am a very ritualistic person. It is extremely important to me that I complete certain things every day to help bring calm in my very chaotic world (full time job, two girls, lots of activities). It’s so easy to get stuck in the endless cycle of well … everything. Then, you forget your peace and it’s screaming for you to come back and get it.

I journal, I move my body every day, I read — things that may seem so easy to do, but are even easier to put aside when you face external pressures. In order for me to be a good mom, a good employee, a good person, I need to prioritize my rituals.

And now, here some ways you can ring in the autumn equinox and celebrate Mabon.

• build a mabon altar: Grab a mason jar and fill it with flowers, herbs (rosemary, sage, thyme), spices (cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, cardamom), apple slices, or seed pods from your garden.

• start a manifestation jar: Find an empty jar and write down some manifestations on strips of paper. You can burn them safely in a bonfire or bury them, returning them to the universe.

• apple picking and apple baking: My family and our friends went apple picking yesterday, and we plan on baking an apple crumble tonight!

• light some candles: Become part of that balance by lighting a fall-scented candle in your home. I have one with apple and cinnamon scents that just smells so good and brings that coziness throughout your home.

• declutter: Clear your mind and cleanse your home with a quick declutter.

• get outside: Going for a nature hike or sitting outside with a cup of tea and a good book is the perfect way to celebrate the change of seasons.

• start a gratitude journal: Record your blessings and reflect on the good things that happen every day.

• visit a farmer’s market: Enjoy seasonal fruits and vegetables grown by local farmers.

• decorate your home for the season: Break out those decorative (or real!) pumpkins, leaf garlands, and special pillows or blankets!

• drink some cider: Apples represent harvest and abundance — they also are associated with wisdom. I love apple cider, so I know I’ll be enjoying a hot cup of cider tonight!

What are some ways you like to celebrate autumn? Share in the comments!