About Autumn Equinox
September 22 - October 7
This season is one of gratitude and harvest. Of life reaching its culmination and fruition. The days of growing, reaching, and striving are behind us. Now comes the contentment of gathering, celebration, and preparation. We acknowledge that autumn is well and truly here, and with that, winter is approaching fast. The pleasant days slip one after another during this season. The hazy sunlight basks in the fading glory of summer. As educator Elizabeth Ann Seton wrote, “When so rich a harvest is before us, why do we not gather it? All is in our hands if we will but use it.” In this season, let us remember the toil and cheer of harvest traditions of generations past. Let us take pause in this ephemeral yet definitive season, rooted in our dividing line between summer and winter.
Autumn Equinox
Podcast Episode
In this exuberant episode, Alexis and Kit are joined by Annie Patterson and Peter Blood of “Rise Up & Sing” in discussing songs and music of the harvest season. Our co-hosts explore the community-driven traditions around the harvest and thanks-giving, and celebrations of the equinox around the world. In Hiro’s Corner, we gain perspective on rice paddies drying up.
Click here for poems & songs featured in this episode.
Words of the Season
In the Sky
In the Ground & Water
In Our Lives
Harvest
Harvest Home
The Green Corn Ceremony
Giving Thanks
Apple Cider & Apple “Bees”
Mabon
Chuseok
Higan
Ta no Kami
Inari
Corn Spirit
The Stranger
The Maiden
The Witch
The Old Woman
Corn Spirit Animals
John Barleycorn
Recommended
Reading
The Golden Bough by James George Frazer: Does all this talk of history and corn spirit excite you? Are you ready to take Harvest Home to the next level? This book is preeminent in religion and our relationship with nature.
Autumn Light: Season of Fire and Farewells by Pico Iyer. This poignant book, as melancholy and beautiful as the light at this time of year, reminds us to slow down and reflect on those quiet moments in life that often get overlooked.