Reaping what we sow: the Autumnal Equinox

The Fall is a favorite season for many: the weather gets cooler, holiday season approaches, and often there is the start of something new. The Autumnal Equinox arrives on September 23rd at 3:50 AM EST. Just as with the Spring equinox, this day is significant because we have precisely half the day in the sun, and half the day in the dark. Yin and yang. Because of that, this Equinox is the perfect opportunity to reflect on the light and dark within our year thus far.

Fall is known for the harvest. This time of year, we will begin to see the trees and plants produce the fruits of our labor. Just like nature, this is a great time of year to reap what we sow spiritually. It is an ideal time to reflect on what changes, growth, and abundance we have channeled since the start of the year. One of my favorite ways to do this is to reflect back on some of my previous intentions or journals and see how life has changed. Even by looking back at my old gratitude journals, I can see how I have grown and achieved things in my career, relationships, and in myself. Take a look back through photos, social media posts, journals, resolutions, and intentions to see how life has changed for the better since the start of the year. By focusing on this positivity and abundance, we attract more abundance! Celebrate the seasonal change with some of your favorite abundance-inducing crystals such as Citrine, Jasper, and Peridot. Here are some ideas for reaping your bounty this equinox:

• Create an altar. By creating a visual representation of abundance, we are keeping our thoughts primed for opportunities that could get us there. It also helps remind us that the things we hope to manifest are important to us. Start simple by finding a small space in your home to arrange your favorite manifesting crystals with whatever speaks abundance to you- other spiritual items, coins/money, or images are all welcome.

• Create a vision board: put together some images from magazines that represent what you are hoping to manifest over this harvest season. I would particularly focus on intentions you set at the start of the year that you hope will come to fruition before winter. Keep it in a place where you can visit it. Consider surrounding it with a few abundance-manifesting crystals to up the energy.

• Meditate: Simply meditating on the abundance you wish to attract can be a strong tool for manifesting during this season. Hold your manifesting crystal of choice in your hand or at the solar plexus- the chakra for confidence. While meditating you could create a mantra to repeat (“I attract abundance effortlessly”), visualize what you’d like to attract, or use a guided meditation if that’s more your speed.

If we think of the harvest as representing the light on this equinox, we must also have an appreciation for the dark. Just as the leaves that no longer serve the trees will fall away, we can also start to consider what we are ready to release. Do we have habits that are no longer serving us? Relationships that are doing more harm than good? Thought patterns that only bring us down? Let them go this equinox. Some crystals that are helpful with letting go include Jet Selenite, or Tiger Eye. Take some time to reflect on what you can release in order to live a happier and more fulfilling life this season. An imagery technique I like to use during this time of year is to think of each thing that is stressing me out as a leaf on a tree, with each leaf changing color and falling to the ground. Remember that just like with the leaves, change doesn’t come overnight; be gentle with yourself if it takes baby steps to let go of the things holding you back.

The most important message to remember during this time of year is that we all have light and dark. Most of the light in our world would not be appreciated as much if not for the darker experiences. Appreciate all that you have grown and harvested this year.

I am always open to new topics you’d like to hear about on this blog. Message the Crystal Council with your requests and we’ll get them up here for you!

Diana Fuller is the host of Watered Grass, a podcast that introduces different self-care services and strategies. She is also a children’s yoga instructor and co-founder of Self & Sisters, a self-care platform for women. You can find out more at www.wateredgrass.com and www.selfandsisters.com