Autumn Equinox

Blessed Be this season of Mabon
     Time of the second harvest
 Tonight all things are in balance
           Goddess and God
              Light and dark,
               Life and death.
Tonight I give thanks to the Old Ones
            For the bounty past
      and the bounty yet to come.

                                                Phoenix

 
 

            We celebrate Second Harvest 
                 at the Autumn Equinox
                on or near September 21 
             in the Northern Hemisphere,
                and on or near March 21 
              in the Southern Hemisphere.

          Second Harvest marks a completion
      and a time for thanksgiving for abundance.

 Equinox is a time of balance and equilibrium -
        a balance that lasts but a moment
       and then the tides of the year resume.
     Day and night, light and dark, are equal.
         This is a time of reflection and rest -
           the harvest has been gathered in - 
                yet this time of balance 
                is also a time of tension -
                 a time of psychic stress. 
                  At times of equilibrium 
              the Veil between the worlds,
          between the seen and the unseen,
                              thins.
            At Equinox we seek to find
        harmony and balance in our lives.

           Begin by breathing deeply,
   releasing all tenstion and worry as you exhale.
          Bring in the energy of the universe
     that surrounds and fills you as you inhale.
            Be aware of the flow of breath
                 as you breath in and out
                  in an ongoing exchange.
 
 

             Visualize yourself walking 
                in a place of nature....
                Be aware of the sounds 
                 and colors around you,
        Notice any birds or small animals...
          Feel the breeze on your cheek.....
 

      As you walk you come to a stone circle.
         A low stone altar sits at the center,
                with a cauldron on it.

      Move to the center and look around the circle. 
             Four larger stones mark
                   the four directions.
         The cardinal directions are associated 
                      with the Elements of 
                 Air, Fire, Water and Earth.
                 the Center represents Spirit.
 

             Air is associated with the East,
                              our mind -
               inspiration, clarity, perception.
                Fire in the South represents
           our will and creativity, vulnerability, 
                            love and trust.
              Water in the West represents our 
                    emotions and intuition.
                releasing, flowing in the NOW,
                           forgiving the past.
                      Earth is in the North -
            our body, phsyical manifestation,
               our daily concerns, stability,
                        and commitment.
 

                When these four Elements 
                    are in balance within,
              we sit at peace in our Center,
                 in touch with out Spirit.
 

 
            See yourself lighting a candle....
                 place it in the cauldron.
                 This represents the fire 
                    of your bright spirit.
 

                 Take a few moments now -
               walk to each cardinal point....
                  meditate on the powers of
                Air, Fire, Water, and Earth
                               in your life.
 
 

            Are these Elements in balance
                         in your life?
           Does one or more seem out of balance?
                 How can you correct this?
 
 

         Air, with its analytical powers of mind
                   balances Water,
           with its emotional responses
                  and gift of intuition.
               Water balances and softens
          the objectiveness and detachment
                        of the mind.
          Fire - creativity, passion, spontaneity,
            is balanced by the steadiness, 
            stability and dedication of Earth.
        Fire lifts Earth into passion and action.
   Too much of any Element results in imbalance.
          Are you allowing the Elements to work
                       with each other?
                        Do you sit at the Center,
            knowing that each Element is present
                      and in harmony in your life?
 

                Experience this moment of
     perfect balance and stillness in your life.
          Return to it when the flow of life
                  moves you from your Center.
               When you feel an imbalance
              examine the Element opposite
                  for the energy you need.
 

           Look at the candle in the cauldron
               that represents your Spirit.
            The wax of the candle is of Earth
       it becomes liquid, of Water, as it burns.
            fire and Air transform the candle
                  to release its essence.
 
 

           Allow the power of the Elements
             to work their transformative power
                            in your life.
 
 

          Remember the candle in the cauldron.
 
 

              As you leave the stone circle,
            take the blessings of the cauldron
                             with you.
              You are always at your Center,
                    in the place of Spirit -
                you only need to remember.
 

   
                                              Blessed Be!
                                                        Danu