The Magic of the Autumnal Equinox

The Autumnal Equinox marks the moment when the Sun crosses the celestial equator and enters Libra, the sign of the Scales. On that day, Day and Night stand in almost perfect equilibrium as the balance of Light and Darkness begins to shift toward the longer nights of winter. In Hermetic symbolism, this celestial equilibrium reflects the reconciliation of opposing forces: up and down, left and right, light and darkness, fire and water, expansion and contraction, etc. Libra expresses similar qualities as the balancer and reconciler of opposing forces. The Sun now begins its descent through the darker half of the year, making the Autumnal Equinox both a threshold and a turning point in the solar cycle.

Magically, the Autumnal Equinox is a powerful time for equilibrium and inner transformation, as it marks the changing of the Solar current. It is an excellent time to turn spiritual work inward and to embark on shadow work, that is, naming, facing and releasing what no longer serves, and coming to terms with - and reconciling - inner conflicts. Ritual work at this time may therefore focus on balancing opposing forces within oneself, releasing the current of the preceding season, and “switching gears” as it were, to consciously draw the solar force inward, as the visible light of the year declines. The Equinox becomes a magical gateway through which the increase of darkness also enables taking stock of internal resources & preparing for the months ahead, and letting new ideas and intentions gestate and grow internally, if appropriate. It carries the mystery of descent, death, and eventual resurrection of the Solar principle - the consciousness of Self - suggesting that what appears to diminish outwardly may be gathering strength inwardly, until the Solar current changes once again in the Spring.

Simple One-Person Equinox Ritual:

You will need:
A white candle, wax or electric
Objects to place at the Elemental Stations* (see below)
* The stations will be using the elemental-directional allocations, that is, Fire, Water, Air, Earth = South, West, East and North respectively.
Optional: A Tarot deck to pull a card

Preparation

Place a single candle in the center of your working space on a small table or box. Make sure it is stable enough to hold a lit candle, or use an electric candle. If desired, place a ceremonial Cup or small bowl of water in the West, a Censor of incense, a rose, or ceremonial Dagger in the East, a red candle, ceremonial Wand or other object representative of fire in the South, and salt, earth, stone/crystal or ceremonial Pentacle in the North.

1. Opening

Face East. Perform the Qabalistic Cross. You may do the entire LBRP if desired, or use a Sage stick or Fan. The idea is to create a sacred space.
Turn and light the central candle and stand quietly before it, on the East side, facing West.

Say:
“At this turning of the year, I stand at the place of balance, where Light and Darkness meet and the forces of the year are brought into equilibrium.”

2. The Equinoctial Balance

Turn again to face East, take a moment to ground yourself, and then slowly rotate clockwise, in place, until you are facing West, while saying:
“Light. Darkness. East. West. Air. Water. I am the Reconciler between them.”
You may want to extend your arms as you do this, to accentuate the feeling of the turning.

3. The Autumnal Descent

Raise your hands toward the light of the candle, and say:
“The Sun passes into the western gate of the year.
The days diminish, and the nights increase.
Yet the Light is not extinguished.
What withdraws from the outer world is preserved within.
May the opposing forces within me be brought into balance,
and may that which has reached its fullness be released,
that the hidden work of transformation may begin.”

Lower your hands and spend a few moments in silence, contemplating what you wish to harvest, release, and carry inward during the darker half of the year.
Optional: Shuffle and pull a Tarot card that may influence or represent the next 6 months of the year. Spend a few minutes in contemplation and meditation.

4. Closing

Stand again at the center, facing East, and say:

“Between Light and Darkness, I stand at the point of equilibrium.
The balance is established.
The work of the season begins.”

Perform the Qabalistic Cross/LBRP/Sage/Fan once more.

Extinguish the candle.

Sources:
The Secret Teachings of All Ages by Manly P. Hall
The Equinox and Solstice Ceremonies of the Golden Dawn, by Pat and Chris Zalewski