Autumn Equinox

Autumn Equinox 2022 23rd Sept / Mabon: 21st to 23rd Sept.

Mabon is a celebration and also a time of rest after the labour of harvest. In terms of life path it is the moment of reaping what you have sown, time to look at the hopes and aspirations of Imbolc and Ostara and reflect on how they have manifested. 

This festival is now named after the the God of Welsh mythology, Mabon. He is the Child of Light and the son of the Earth Mother Goddess, Modron.

It is time to complete projects, to clear out and let go that which is no longer wanted or needed as we prepare for descent, so that the winter can offer a time for reflection and peace. And it is time to plant seeds of new ideas and hopes which will lie dormant but nourished in the dark, until the return of Spring.

the autumn equinox in September, happens when the sun crosses the celestial equator in a southerly direction.

Metaphorically, it refers to the harvest of goals and intentions you set or planted when the year started and how those have been evolving or growing.

The Autumn equinox also represents the change of seasons, as we move into Autumn & the metal season in Chinese medicine.

Traditional Chinese Medicine is based on the Five-element theory. This theory suggests that there are five elements in nature that cycle in phases through the seasons and our organs: Earth, Water, Wood, Metal and Fire

a generative cycle, Wood feeds Fire, Fire creates Earth, Earth bears Metal, Metal collects Water, and Water nourishes Wood. When the cycle between the elements is destructive, one element is being destroyed by another: Wood parts Earth, Earth takes in Water, Water quenches Fire, Fire melts Metal, and Metal chops Wood.

• Earth: mother, nourishment

• Water: stillness, will power

• Wood: purpose, growth

• Metal: structure, boundaries

• Fire: passion, connection

In traditional Chinese medicine, metal governs the lung and the large intestine, nose and skin. The negative emotion associated with metal is grief, while the positive emotion is courage. Many sources aimed at a Western audience equate Metal with the attributes of the element Air.

To keep metal balanced we need structure and routine equalized with an ability to let go and allow ourselves to be supported.

September can be a time when we may get sick  or experience a cleanse as we change seasons, this is actually a good thing as the body is naturally detoxing at this time. So we need to.allow the body to rest & give if the space and time if needs to heal rather than suppress symptoms with drugs.

Instead use natural remedies to help your system move into balance, such as aromatherapy, massage, reflexology and naturopathic techniques.

Cypress essential oil is especially helpful for those who are mentally or emotionally stuck, stiff, rigid, tense or have perfectionistic tendencies. Orange essential oil supports a positive mood and invites us to live with a child-like sense of openness. 

Cacao opens the heart and allows us to connect more with our intuition and true self. Find out more about our Raw chocolate & Cacao ceremonies coming soon. Epsom salt baths with lavender oil can be a deeply relaxing ritual, that helps us to “let go” physically & emotionally & also helps to cleanse & detoxify the body.

White foods are also beneficial for the metal season & the colour white in general, so searing white clothes etc. Eating more grounding root vegetables such as parsnip, potatoes, as well as celeriac, aubergine, banana, turnip and other white foods such as nuts, yoghurt, goats cheese white rice etc. the flavour is pungent and spicy such as strong cheeses, garlic, horseradish, ginger & warming spices etc.

The time of day associated with the Metal element in Chinese medicine is 3am to 7am so if you find yourself waking up at this time, if might be that the organs associated with this element need paying attention to. Specifically, 3am to 5am relates to the lungs & 5am to 7am, the large intestines. The direction is West.

So use this time to rest up, restore, rejuvenate. Pamper yourself with a warm Epsom salt and lavender bath or use a sauna or steam room to help detoxify and bring warmth to the body as the weather gets a bit cooler. You could also book in for a hot stones massage, reflexology, reiki, crystal chakra balance or aromatherapy massage.

Crystals can also help to align your system at this time of change, especially white crystals such as ilky quartz, opalite and white howlite. Also clear quartz, apophilite, amazonite and citrine can be helpful, but it’s best to go with what your are drawn to or does it muscle test to find the right stone for you. Ask in our store if you want help finding the best crystals for you.

It’s also a good time to start taking more vitamin D as we will see less sunlight in the coming months, vitamin C can also help to boost the immune system and ward of any colds or flu, as well as Echinacea and elderberry. Again it’s best to dowse or muscle test with kinesiology to find out what supplements your body needs.

If you want to find out more about your particular body type and nutrition and supplement requirements, you can book in for a naturopathic nutrition/ kinesiology session which includes a personalised dietary protocol based on your specific needs and issues. Contact me for more info.