We had so much fun celebrating the summer solstice, but with the warmer months coming to a close, September offers the chance to mark the beginning of a brand new season.
Taking place on Wednesday 22nd September 2021, the autumn equinox marks the end of summer and the start of autumn. The timing of the autumn equinox occurs around the same time as the harvest moon, which has historical importance, particularly within the farming world.
Traditionally, the harvest moon would give farmers enough light to work into the night to bring their crops in from the field even as the days grow shorter due to the end of summer.
There are many ways you can celebrate the autumn equinox, here are just 6 ideas to get you started…
1. Reflect on all the things you’re grateful for
The autumn equinox is traditionally a time of harvest, so why not use the sentiment to conduct your own inner harvest? Reflect on the rewards reaped from your harvest by compiling a gratitude list. It’ll make you feel fantastic as well as give you a fresh perspective to take on the season ahead.
During these troubled times, when the uncertainty of the pandemic will be getting most people down, a gratitude list is a great way to reduce stress, highlight the positives and quash the negatives as Declutter the Mind details:
“Our minds are powerful. Feed is negativity and sadness and that’s all you’ll ever think about. Think about gratitude and positivity and you’ll feel much happier. Creating a gratitude list helps you focus on the upside to life. We’ll all face challenges and roadblocks but by thinking about things that are still going well for us it helps reduce stress.”
2. Connect with nature by heading outdoors
Autumn is a truly stunning season, with the colours of change transforming landscapes all around us. So, what better way to mark the autumn equinox than with a well-timed nature walk!
Appreciate the changes autumn is known and loved for, note the colours of the falling leaves, and see the world in a whole new light. An autumn walk is a great activity to do alone or with family and friends.
Looking to make your autumn equinox walk a real adventure? Be sure to pack these outdoorsy essentials to see you through.
3. Get crafty to create a beautiful autumn wreath
Use your autumn equinox nature walk to gather supplies for your next celebratory activity. The changing season means a bounty of natural materials will become readily available. Collect coloured leaves, acorns, dried berries, vines, and end-of-summer flowers, and use them to create your own beautiful autumn wreath before hanging it with pride on your front door.
4. Commemorate autumn with a seasonal feast
Tons of fruits and vegetables are at their freshest and tastiest during autumn. Take advantage of the vast variety of in-season produce by using it to craft your very own seasonally inspired autumn feast.
Celebrate your autumn harvest by creating dishes from figs, pears, pumpkins, plums, leeks, blackberries, butternut squash, Brussel sprouts, parsnips, potatoes and other seasonal goodies.
5. Host your very own harvest festival
Harvest festivals are fond childhood memories for many people in the UK. In fact, in schools across the country, children still partake in harvest festivals, bringing their own produce or shop-bought goods from home to donate to the less fortunate.
Put a spin on this classic by hosting your very own harvest festival at home. Invite family members, friends and neighbours to bring their gifts of fruits, vegetables, flowers and grains to trade with one another.
6. Have a refreshing, seasonal home clear-out
Mark the start of a new season with a good old clear out – think of it as an autumn clean instead of a spring clean!
There’s nothing more energising and uplifting than starting a new season with a blank canvas. Sort, store, donate and recycle – not forgetting to bring those winter woollies out of hiding and get them ready to wear! – to cleanse your mind, body and soul.
Love Autumn?
If you find yourself inspired by the beauty of autumn, with all its wonderful colours, then take a look at our gorgeous autumn glaze blanket in recycled wool – a sustainable blanket inspired by the magical shades we see at this time of year.