The Balance of Autumn Equinox

The Equinox is often seen as a time of the final harvest, gratitude, and reflection. Just as our ancestors gathered their crops, we too are invited to gather the fruits of our efforts, to honour what has flourished in our lives, and to release what no longer serves us. Walking through woodland or open fields at this time, the golden hues of turning leaves whisper of transition and transformation, teaching us to flow gracefully with the rhythm of change.

A Ritual of Balance: On this day, you might pause outdoors, placing a stone in one hand and a fallen leaf in the other. The stone symbolises stability and grounding, while the leaf represents change and release. Holding them together, breathe deeply and reflect on the balance you seek in your own life.

Forest Bathing & Seasonal Wellbeing

The Equinox is also a reminder of how deeply we are connected to the natural world. As the sunlight begins to wane, many people experience shifts in mood and energy. For some, this manifests as seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a form of depression linked to reduced daylight hours. Spending intentional, mindful time outdoors can act as a soothing balm during this transition.

Forest bathing (Shinrin-yoku), the Japanese practice of immersing oneself in nature with all the senses, has been shown to reduce stress hormones, regulate mood, and increase feelings of vitality. A study published in Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine (Morita et al., 2007) found that participants who spent time in forest or woodland environments experienced significantly lower levels of anxiety and depression compared to those in urban settings. This suggests that equinox rituals or mindful walks in nature spaces could help to ease the impact of darker days, supporting resilience and emotional balance.

Science & the Seasons

Research shows that our bodies and minds are deeply attuned to the changing of the seasons. A study published in Nature Communications (Miller et al., 2015), found that the human brain shows seasonal patterns in mood, memory, and even cognitive performance, influenced by variations in daylight. This suggests that rituals aligning us with equinox balance are not just symbolic, but can support psychological wellbeing by helping us adapt more mindfully to seasonal shifts.

References:

• Miller, A., et al. (2015). “Seasonal changes in human brain function.” Nature Communications, 6:7000.

• Morita, E., et al. (2007). “Psychological effects of forest environments on healthy adults: Shinrin-yoku (forest-air bathing, walking) as a possible method of stress reduction.” Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine, 15(1), 18–26.