17 Autumn Equinox Activities and Rituals

From hosting a harvest festival and apple picking to setting up your altar for the Autumn season, here’s plenty of ideas on how to celebrate.

ByRebecca SwannerSeptember 3, 2024

As the days start getting shorter and the leaves turn those gorgeous shades of red, orange, and gold, it’s the perfect time to dive into some autumn equinox activities.

The fall equinox, also known as Mabon, is all about celebrating balance—between light and dark, work and rest, and of course, summer and winter. It’s the perfect excuse to get cozy, enjoy the changing season, and reflect on everything you’ve gathered during the year (both literally and figuratively!).

From honoring the deities connected with this second harvest holiday to enjoying a festive meal or a relaxing nature walk, there are so many ways to connect with the energy of the season. Here are some ideas to get you started.

1. Throw a Harvest Festival

A harvest-themed party is a wonderful way to celebrate the Fall Equinox, as it honors the abundance of the season. Focus on showcasing fall recipes that feature apples, pumpkins, squash, and root vegetables—think apple pies, roasted squash soups, pumpkin bread, and hearty root vegetable stews. (Here are some we gathered for the Fall Equinox!)

You can also incorporate a communal element by encouraging your guests to bring their favorite fall-inspired dish to share, creating a sense of togetherness.

Beyond food, enhance the festival atmosphere by setting up autumn-themed games like apple bobbing, sack races, or a pumpkin carving contest.

2. Go on a Nature Walk

Taking a walk in nature during this time of the year is a great way to connect with the shifting energies of the season and reflect on the balance between light and dark.

As you stroll through a park or forest, take time to notice the small details—how the air feels cooler, the way the sunlight filters through the trees, and the rich tapestry of colors in the leaves. Collect a few natural items that catch your eye, like acorns, pinecones, or vibrant leaves. These collected treasures can later be used in fall crafts, or as part of your altar.

3. Make Some Seasonal Crafts

There is countless inspiration for seasonal crafts on TikTok and Instagram. But, here’s a few more ideas to consider. Create leaf garlands by gathering colorful leaves and stringing them together with twine to make a natural decoration for your mantel.

I plan on knitting some pumpkins in my favorite colors. They add a cozy touch, look cute on your work station or couch, and can be made in pretty much any size. (They also make a nice gift.) Here’s an easy pattern for them.

You could also try making homemade candles with autumn scents like cinnamon and clove, using natural wax and essential oils. Or, simply paint pumpkins. They’ll last a bit longer this way than if you carve them.

4. Enjoy a Candlelit Dinner

Enjoy a meal by candlelight to symbolize the balance between light and dark. Set the table with seasonal dishes and consider adding symbolic touches, such as using a centerpiece made of gathered autumn leaves, acorns, or a bowl of seasonal fruits.

This dinner can be a quiet, reflective moment to express gratitude for the harvest and the balance of light and dark that Mabon represents.

5. Plan an Outdoor Picnic

If the weather permits, have a picnic outdoors to celebrate the fall weather. Choose a scenic spot, like a park, forest clearing, or lakeside, and pack a basket filled with seasonal treats—think spiced cider, sandwiches, fresh apples, and pumpkin muffins. Bring cozy blankets to sit on and enjoy the crisp autumn air.

As you relax in nature, take time to appreciate the changing leaves, the cooler temperatures, and the peacefulness of the season. And the fewer mosquitos.

6. Apple Picking

Visiting an orchard allows you a hands-on experience that can help make you feel closer to the earth and the natural cycles of growth and abundance. After picking, you can use your apples in various ways, such as baking pies, making homemade applesauce, or even crafting apple cider.

7. Create a Bonfire

Gather friends and family around a fire pit or bonfire, and enjoy the soothing crackle of the flames as you toast marshmallows and share stories. Set up cozy seating with blankets or outdoor chairs, and consider adding some seasonal snacks like spiced nuts or apple cider.

The bonfire can also be a time for reflection and intention-setting. As you watch the flames, you might take a moment to discuss what you’re grateful for, share goals for the coming months, or simply enjoy each other’s company.

8. Snap Some Photos

Capture the beauty of the fall season by taking some photos, focusing on the vibrant colors and textures of the changing landscape. If you can, head outdoors to explore parks, forests, or countryside areas, and focus on the rich hues of changing leaves, the texture of fallen foliage, and the contrast of bare branches against a clear autumn sky.

9. Watch the Sunset

Watching the sunset is a serene way to celebrate the Autumn Equinox, as it symbolizes the balance between day and night. Find a scenic spot with a clear view of the horizon, and take a moment to unwind as you witness the sky transition through shades of orange, pink, and purple.

Bring a cozy blanket or a comfortable chair, and perhaps a warm drink like cider or chai. Use this peaceful time to reflect on the changing season.

10. Enjoy a Fall-Themed Treat

Whether you make it yourself or pick something up, this is a delightful way to celebrate the arrival of the season. You could bake some pumpkin bread, apple muffins, or cinnamon cookies at home, filling your space with the comforting aromas of autumn. Alternatively, visit a local coffee shop to savor a pumpkin spice latte or a warm apple cider.

11. Make a Homemade Broom

Making a broom is a meaningful craft to celebrate the harvest season and embrace the energy of Mabon. Start by gathering materials like broomcorn, or even sturdy branches or twigs for the handle and broom bristles. You can weave or tie the bristles together, ensuring they’re securely attached to the handle.

To infuse your broom with the scents of fall, add cinnamon sticks, dried orange peels, or cloves to the bristles or handle. As you create your broom, focus on the symbolism of sweeping away the old and making space for new beginnings, aligning with the themes of harvest and balance. The broom can serve as decor or have its own spot on your altar.

Here is an excellent guide on how to make your first broom.

12. Decorate for Fall

If you haven’t leapt straight to Halloween decorating, decorating for fall is a wonderful way to embrace the season and create a cozy atmosphere. For your color palette, I recommend using red, orange, and brown tones to accent your decor.

Add a fall-themed wreath for your front door, using natural materials like dried leaves, acorns, and seasonal flowers. Then, incorporate pumpkins and gourds into your decor elements. Place them on porches, tables, or entryways to add a festive touch.

13. Journal about Balance and How It Relates to Your Life

Start by reflecting on how balance manifests in your daily routine. Consider areas where you may need more equilibrium, such as work and personal time. Or, time spent with others, versus time spent on your own.

Write about the ways you strive for balance, such as setting boundaries, prioritizing self-care, or managing responsibilities. Reflect on the successes and challenges you’ve faced in maintaining this balance, and explore any changes or adjustments you might make to better align with a sense of inner harmony.

14. Set up Your Altar to Reflect the New Season

Setting up your altar to reflect the new season is a meaningful way to honor the autumn equinox.

Add seasonal items like pumpkins, acorns, and autumn leaves and incorporate colors of red, orange, and brown to evoke the mood of the season. Add incense made from autumn scents, such as cinnamon to represent the element of air.

15. Hold a Gratitude Ceremony

While many of us love a vision board, it’s also important to reflect and be grateful for what you have. Start by writing down what you are grateful for. Reflect on moments, people, and experiences that have enriched your life.

Once you have your list, read each item aloud to acknowledge and give thanks for them. For a symbolic gesture, you can burn the list in a safe way to release your gratitude into the universe, or keep the list as a way to remember that season. This ceremony helps you connect with the spirit of gratitude and transition, setting a positive tone for the season ahead.

16. Give Back to Your Community

Giving back to your community is a meaningful way to embody the spirit of abundance. You can volunteer your time at a local charity, food bank, or community center. You could also organize or participate in a food drive or fundraiser to help those less fortunate.

Alternatively (or additionally), consider reaching out to neighbors or local organizations to see if there are specific needs or projects where your skills or resources can make a difference.

17. Honor the Gods Associated with Fall

Honoring deities associated with the fall season is one more way to deepen your connection to the season’s energies. Here’s how you might honor these gods:

Persephone: Create an altar with symbols like pomegranates, autumn leaves, and deep red candles. Offer prayers or reflections on transformation and renewal. Light a candle in her honor, and meditate on themes of balance between light and dark. Here are more ways to work with Persephone.
Cernunnos: Decorate your space with natural elements such as acorns, pinecones, and forest finds. Offer a small ritual or symbolic gift like a handcrafted item. Reflect on the cycles of nature and the harvest, and give thanks for the abundance in your life.
Epona: Set up an altar with items related to horses, such as small horse figurines, oats, or apples. Light a candle and offer gratitude for the harvest and the abundance it provides. Meditate on the themes of fertility and protection.
Hades: Create a somber, respectful altar with dark candles and symbols of the underworld, like skulls or obsidian. Reflect on the balance between life and death, and offer meditations acknowledging the cyclical nature of existence.

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