The Autumn Equinox
What the Autumn Equinox Can Teach Us About Balance, Energy, and Cycles
By the UWM editors
The Autumn Equinox provides valuable lessons about how to achieve equilibrium and manage our life force while respecting the natural patterns of existence.
Earth pauses its continuous rotation to achieve equilibrium twice per year during the Equinox period. Equal day and night. Equal light and dark. These periodic pauses during Equinoxes remind us that achieving balance requires ongoing adjustment and flexibility. The autumnal transition demonstrates how to establish balance and maintain stability while respecting the natural cycles that link our physical selves to Earth's rhythms.
Seasonal Energetics + Hormonal Cycles:
The autumn season operates with a distinct energy pattern which differs from summer. The social and bright nature of summer gives way to fall, which invites us to direct our focus toward internal growth. Traditional Chinese Medicine links autumn to the Earth element, which provides grounding energy for nourishment and transition. Our bodies follow the same pattern as farmers do by storing energy while building up their defensive capabilities.
The body follows natural patterns which match the seasonal changes. Women experience autumnal characteristics during their luteal and menstrual phases because their energy levels decrease, their bodies require warmth, and they need more rest. People from all backgrounds experience a natural inclination toward spending their days in more quietly and sleeping earlier. We may even find ourselves craving comfort foods. Our inner body rhythms follow the Earth's natural cycles, and we can benefit from working with them.
Earth Element Rituals for Balance:
Morning grounding tea: Blend roots and adaptogens like burdock, ashwagandha, and ginger. Sip slowly to set the tone for steadiness.
Breath and balance: Begin the day with alternate nostril breathing (nadi shodhana) to harmonize nervous system energy and support focus.
Seasonal foods: Favor squash, sweet potatoes, apples, and mushrooms — foods that grow close to the ground and stabilize blood sugar, mood, and digestion.
Evening reset: End the day with a simple ritual: journaling at sunset. Try asking yourself, “Where do I feel out of balance?”
Cultural Lens: Global Equinox Traditions
The Autumn Equinox has always been a marker of meaning. Around the world, cultures recognize this time as sacred, a pause between abundance and contraction.
Mabon (Celtic/Pagan): A harvest festival honoring gratitude, balance, and the turning wheel of the year. Families share meals of apples, nuts, and grains, symbolizing the Earth’s generosity.
Tsukimi (Japan): Known as the “moon-viewing” festival, Tsukimi is an autumn celebration of the harvest moon. Families prepare rice dumplings (tsukimi dango) and arrange pampas grass to offer thanks for the harvest.
Andean traditions: Many communities in South America practice rituals of reciprocity with Pachamama (Mother Earth), offering chicha, flowers, or coca leaves to honor cycles of planting and harvest.
By weaving these traditions into our own awareness, we remember that balance is a shared human aspiration — one that connects us across continents and centuries.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
The equinox reminds us that balance is never static. It’s about noticing the tilt, feeling the shift, and responding with rituals that keep us grounded. As autumn unfolds, lean into the structure that feels nourishing. Let go of what is heavy. Reset with the cycles, and you’ll find yourself not just surviving the season but rooted, resilient, and whole.