Autumn Equinox Rituals for Gratitude and Transformation
- Anya I
- Sep 17, 2025
- 8 min read
Autumn Equinox Rituals for Transformation and Gratitude
Can you feel that subtle shift in the air? The air turns crisp, fall leaves decorate the ground, the days aren't quite as long, and time begins to slow down once more as the wheel begins to turn once more—welcome to the autumn equinox! This natural phenomenon, also known as the September equinox or autumnal equinox, and Mabon for those of us in the pagan community. The Autumn equinox occurs in late September around the 20-22nd in the Northern Hemisphere. Day and night are of equal length (also known as "equal night"). It's a great reminder that restoring balance isn’t just an idea, it’s something nature literally does on its own schedule, around the world and this is a great time for us to reset and slow down.
As the harvest moon rises and the autumn equinox approaches, it’s the perfect time to embrace seasonal traditions and rituals and give yourself a bit of a cosmic reset. The equinox marks the moment when the sun aligns perfectly over the equator, creating a balance of day and night and making it one of the most energetically charged times of the year. In today’s article, I’m sharing 3 autumn equinox rituals to help you connect with Spirit, nature’s bounty, and the magick of transitioning into a new season. Let’s celebrate this special time together!
Jump to Autumn Equinox Rituals
Welcoming the Dark Half of the Year
When this equinox occurs, it’s not just about golden afternoons and apple pie. Energetically and magickally, this marks the entrance into the dark half of the year, which has its significance. Daylight shortens, shadow aspects come up for healing (hello shadow work!), and nature invites us to grow roots, turn inward, honor the moon and and all those parts of life that flourish in quiet spaces. It's a great time to create a fall equinox altar with natural items—maybe a butternut squash and pumpkins from the farmers market or a handful of dried flowers as adorned with golden accents associated with this time of year.
So, what does it mean to embrace the dark half of the year? A huge theme of this time of year is shadow work and going inward. Think about it, we are literally entering a shadow season with shorter days and for those of us who follow the rhythm of the wheel of the year, facing what we hide during the long days, and reflecting on how everyday life can shift and transform. We integrate what we learned in the light, and stay inward and reflect. Magically, this isn't the time of year to manifest but rather reflect and take in the lessons from this past year in order to plan those seeds of manifestation in the years ahead more effectively. You might find yourself spending time outdoors on a nature walk, taking a few deep breaths under that full moon, or just letting the slower pace of the season spark some new energy and intention. It's time to slow down, reconnect with ourselves, our goals, and our intentions for the future, and perhaps add some reflections to your to do list - all while enjoying the beauty of the holiday season.
3 Autumn Equinox Rituals for Gratitude, Transformation, and Shifting Seasons
Today I've prepared three rituals you can use to to help you transition through second harvest, connect with the natural world, and honor the magick of this mid harvest festival. Feel free to use these to honor Mabon and the equinox.
1. Autumn Equinox Gratitude Ritual
There's just something about taking intentional time to feel into your gratitude during the fall equinox and mabon with a gratitude ritual by also giving back. This spell is not about asking or gaining from the universe, but celebrating your bountiful harvest (both literal and metaphoric). It's a powerful way to show the universe that you already are blessed and happy with life exactly the way it is, even if you've been through a challenging season. Because let me tell you, the second you stop showing gratitude is when the universe will give you a reality check and remind you of all the good things you have by taking them away. Plus, it's not always about asking.
What makes this ritual even more potent, is that we pay it forward to our community. Not only does it strengthen our magick and our energetic vibration, but it creates a deeply powerful ripple effect.
What you’ll need:
A small basket or bowl
Nature’s bounty: colorful leaves, acorns, pinecones, small stones, or seasonal foods (think: apples, dried herbs, maybe even a little pumpkin spice)
Your offering to the community: Monetary (5, 10, 20+), or perhaps a food offering, or something of use like blankets etc.
Pen and small slips of paper
A candle (orange, red, or brown are great choices)
The Ritual:
Carve out a sacred space and arrange your natural items in your basket, or on your autumn equinox altar.
Light your candle, and a few moments to center yourself. Tune into the energy of all of the gratitude and blessings you have in your life. Remind yourself just how lucky you are and how much you have to give, whether it be energetically, or financially.
On each slip of paper, jot something you’re grateful for—big stuff, small stuff, shadow and light, people, pets, maybe that apple cider you sipped under the harvest moon. Think of the hardships and lessons and strength you've endured, and be grateful for that too. Take your time with this and truly allow yourself to feel all you're grateful for as every day truly is a blessing.
As you write, say “I am grateful for…” and place the slip in the basket. Feel that gratitude warming you from the inside out.
Place your community offering on your altar or and say "With an abundant heart, I give XYZ to my community.
Hold the basket and thank Spirit, your ancestors, or whatever guides your heart. Whisper or speak aloud: "With Spirit as my witness, and gratitude in my heart, I honor all the abundance in my life. May this harvest fill my days with light, and may my thanks ripple out to bless the world. Blessed be."
Keep this gratitude basket on your altar or in your home filled with reminders of the gifts from the harvest season until the winter solstice. Remember that offering for the community? Now that you've created all that beautiful energy, pay it forward and give money or a resource offering to an unhoused individual or someone in your community who is in need. Energy should always be moving, and just like wealth, isn't meant to be kept to ourselves. That's the secret to magick and living a beautiful and balanced life.
If you like this ritual, you will love my witchcraft activism post.
2. Deep Transformation & Release Ritual Autumn Equinox
As autumn equinox rituals go, this one is for those craving deep change. The balance of equal length day and night helps us bring shadow aspects into the light, making autumnal equinox traditions like this potent for clearing out what we no longer need.
What you’ll need:
A fire-safe bowl or cauldron
Charcoal for burning
Pen and a piece of paper
A black candle
A dried leaf such as a bay leaf (bonus points if you found it on a nature walk!)
The Ritual:
In a cozy or sacred space (maybe surrounded by seasonal celebrations and decor, or just next to your altar), light your black candle.
Write down a fear, habit, or limiting belief ready for release as seasons change. I don't recommended writing more than 3 as deep change takes a lot of time and focus, and you will be focusing on this transition for until solstice.
Transfer that energy into your dried leaf or paper. As you craft the leave visualize it absorbing all those lingering shadow aspects, you may notice that it starts to feel heavier.
Carefully burn the paper or the leaf in your bowl, and as it burns say:"As this darkness lifts, I create and hold a sacred space for profound transformation. Spirit of infinite love and wisdom, cradle my growth and guide me with unwavering strength guiding me back to my heart. May you wash away all that no longer serves my highest good into the healing embrace of the shadows, where it can be transmuted and released back onto this earth. Fill my heart with your eternal light, restoring me with courage, clarity, and purpose. May I rise stronger, more aligned, and ready to step boldly into my divine potential. And so it shall be, now and always world without end, Amen"
When totally cool, return the ashes to nature—a literal return to the natural cycle.
Let this ritual be your “start fresh” moment, aligning with the deeper energy of the autumn equinox. From now unitl the next season, make sure you deeply reflect on the change that you seek. When old habits and patterns arise, take a moment to contemplate how you would have handled the situation differently, or how you can alter your thoughts to be more aligned with the new version of yourself.
3. Transitioning to the Dark Autumn Equinox Ritual Bath
Transition rituals are where it’s at for honoring seasonal changes, especially as we look toward the winter solstice and winter. This ritual bath is one of my favorite ways to turn the mid autumn festival energy inward and draw from the wisdom of equal night.
What you’ll need:
Epsom salts or sea salt
Herbs like rosemary, lavender, mugwort
A few drops of cedarwood or frankincense essential oil
Two candles: one white, one black
The Ritual:
Place the candles at either end of your tub (or wherever you’re soaking) to represent light and dark, only if you can safely do so!
Fill your tub, sprinkle in the salt, toss in a few sprigs of dried herbs or blooming seasonal ingredients, add your oils, and swirl it all with intention.
Light both candles, taking a few deep breaths as you acknowledge the equal day and equal night energies.
Step in and let the water hold you. Imagine summer fading and the restful energy of the new season—maybe even a little winter slumber—washing in. Let yourself feel cleansed, restored, and held by Spirit’s presence. Be sure to be fully immersed in this energy as you wash yourself and cleanse your mind, body, and spirit.
Set a clear intention for this season—wisdom? rest? connection to your shadow aspects?—and recite:"I surrender to the dark with boundless trust and an open heart. May Spirit guide and shield me as the shadows ignite their spark. I release what no longer serves and cleanse my soul as summer's warmth fades, welcoming the wheel's turn into the year's darker embrace. May rest and wisdom softly find their way to me. I honor the deepening night, the fading light of day, and embrace the sacred balance within"
When you’re ready, extinguish the white candle first to honor the passing of light, and then the black to welcome the subtle mystery ahead.
Autumn Equinox and Mabon Blessings to You!
By inviting these autumn equinox rituals into your daily routine, you align with nature’s cycles, create sacred space for self discovery, and root even your everyday life in deep intention. However you honor the fall equinox—through an autumn equinox feast, spending time at the farmers market, or simply pausing under the full moon—may this season connect you to gratitude, transformation, and the magick of autumn’s turning.
Which ritual are you going to try? How do you like to celebrate this time of year? Drop a comment down below and don't forget to follow me on Youtube Instagram and Tik Tok! Happy Equinox, and brightest blessings on your journey through the changing seasons!