Expert-Backed Pagan Rituals to Mark the Fall Equinox

Plus, discover fall equinox traditions from around the globe

Co-authored by Emma Cairo and Maryana Lucia Vestic, MFA, M.Phil.

Last Updated: September 22, 2025 Fact Checked

• Gratitude & Release Rituals
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• Nature Rituals
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• Fall Equinox Explained
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• What is Mabon?
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• Fall Equinox Myths & Traditions
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• Fall Equinox Symbols
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• Video

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The fall equinox usually occurs between September 21st and 24th in the northern hemisphere, a pivotal time in the pagan calendar (and the official start of autumn). If you’re looking for ways to honor the changing seasons, keep reading. We spoke to experts in spirituality, magic, and manifestation for the most meaningful fall equinox rituals, including gratitude and release rituals and rituals that celebrate nature. You’ll also learn more about the myths and traditions surrounding the fall equinox across the globe.

The next fall (autumnal) equinox in the Northern Hemisphere is Tuesday, September 22, 2026.

Autumn Equinox Rituals

Scandinavian folklore & spirituality expert Emma Cairo states that everything is about the seasons of nature in paganism and witchcraft, including the fall equinox. Here are some unique ways to celebrate the fall equinox:

• Perform a ritual for gratitude, release what you don’t need, or set an intention.
• Connect with nature by taking a walk, going on a hike, or going apple picking.
• Use seasonal ingredients to host a fall feast that includes apples, pumpkins, and corn.
• Decorate your home in fall colors (red, orange, and gold) or use them to create an altar.

Steps

Section 1 of 6:

Gratitude and Release Rituals for Fall Equinox

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   Gratitude Ritual To perform a gratitude ritual for the fall equinox, sit in a quiet space at home, or in nature; you can light a candle or burn incense, if you like. Close your eyes and focus your thoughts on everything you are currently grateful for. For example, think about what makes you happy and who or what you’re thankful for having every day—it may be your partner, a friend or family member, a pet, your home, or anything you can think of, no matter how small.

   • Write down everything you appreciate in a list. You can fold up the paper and thank the Universe 3 times for these gifts. Place them in a box or gratitude jar you can keep on your altar, and revisit whenever you need reminding about what you’re most thankful for.
   • Manifestation expert Jennifer McVey, Cht, says to "be clear about what you want. Whatever you create, use positive, clear wording, and use simple sentences to be specific.”
   • Start a gratitude journal that you write in regularly, no matter what season it is.

   Meet the wikiHow Experts

   Jennifer McVey, Cht, is a manifestation expert with more than 22 years of experience in manifesting and spiritually-based life coaching.

   Leza Labrador is a magic and manifestation expert who helps people step into their magic and power.

   Emma Cairo is a Scandinavian folklore & spirituality expert focused on reviving ancestral spiritual traditions.
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   Releasing Ritual To take part in a ritual that helps release old habits or things you need to let go of, find a quiet space. Be sure the space is uncluttered, and feel free to light a candle or burn incense to set the mood. McVey suggests “writing down all the things you want to let go of in a clear, concise list. Then, you can bury or burn them. You can also do this in your mind during a meditation and then see it disappear.”

   • As you write down each item, take a deep breath and meditate on what you’re letting go of, whether it’s a tendency to be negative or a bad relationship.
   • “Writing down what you want is a good way to manifest it, especially if you do it in cycles—write down all the different ways it could come to you," notes McVey.
   • Instead of burning your list, bury it in the earth as an offering as an alternative.
   • You can also write down each thing you wish to release on a rock, and throw them into the woods one at a time to practice letting go.
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   Rebalancing Ritual Try sitting in a quiet space or at an altar to meditate on balance. Close your eyes, clear your thoughts, and think about what could help you find more balance in your life. It might mean looking at things that don’t work for you anymore, or focusing on what you should invite into your life. Then, “always close the ceremony with a prayer, phrase, or affirmation,” states McVey.

   • Balance is an integral part of the fall equinox because it represents the moment that the sun is perfectly balanced on the Earth’s axis.
   EXPERT TIP

   

   Leza Labrador

   Magic and Manifestation Expert

   Leza Labrador, also known as The Social Sorceress, is a magic and manifestation expert based in Santa Clarita, CA. In 2021, Leza founded Bohemian Fig, through which she helps people step into their magic and power to fulfill great transformation. She has designed several courses, including Mind Alchemy, Awaken Your Alter Ego, Crafting Your Enchanted Life, and more. Leza offers a variety of ways to work with her, including one-on-one sessions, keynote speeches, retreats, and other events. With her personal journey rooted in Italian folk magic, experience in shadow work, and deep dives into self exploration, Leza is passionate about helping others find their true power and unlock their magic.

   

   Leza Labrador
   Magic and Manifestation Expert

   Having an intention is so important when performing rituals. Believe it, love it, and want it with your whole being. Manifestation comes from intention, passion, and belief.
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Section 2 of 6:

Fall Equinox Rituals to Honor the Seasons of Nature

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   Connect with nature. Take a walk or go on a hike to observe the changing colors of the leaves and the way the light moves across the autumn sky. Other ideas include going apple picking and foraging for roots, flowers, herbs, and fungi—just be careful about what you collect, and make sure it’s safe to consume if you plan on doing so.

   • Apples are the most celebrated symbol of Mabon and symbolize the abundance of the harvest.
   • Visit a sacred site to honor the transition. If you can’t make it to Stonehenge, head to a place in nature that you feel particularly connected to. It might be the spot where you had your first kiss or remember taking a walk with someone you loved.
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   Build a bonfire. Having a bonfire with friends and loved ones (or by yourself) is the perfect way to welcome the shorter nights that come with the fall equinox. Make sure to build the fire in a safe place. Use the fire as part of your releasing ritual if you want to burn your list afterwards, or simply reflect on the changing of the season.

   • Enjoy fall-themed drinks like apple cider or mulled wine when making a bonfire.
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   Cleanse or declutter your space. Fall is a time to clear out old energies and make way for the new. Do a full or partial house cleaning that includes decluttering areas like closets, kitchen cabinets, basements, and attics… don’t forget under your bed! Consider burning sage or incense afterward to spiritually cleanse the space as you see fit.

   • Follow up your smudging by reciting a smudge stick prayer to seal the act.
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   Decorate for fall. Make your home or outdoor space ready for fall by decorating it with seasonal touches, like pumpkins, gourds, and sunflowers or marigolds. Dress up your home in fall colors like burnt orange, golden yellow, deep green, warm red, or other earth tones. Accessorize a room with candles or a table setting made from warm, inviting textures.

   • Create an autumn wreath made from acorns, preserved fall leaves, pinecones, or corn stalks. Don’t forget cinnamon sticks to create a warm atmosphere and a tantalizing scent.
   • Integrate apples, pumpkins, and other seasonal produce into your decor.
   • Interior decorator and brand influencer Nissa-Lynn Parson believes that, even if it doesn’t feel like fall yet, “decorate when it feels right to you. If you see fall décor you love in stores as early as June or July, grab it!”
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   Do a fall equinox tarot reading. The equinox is referred to as a "threshold moment," which is focused on the balance between opposites that comes when a new cycle begins. It’s an ideal time for consulting tarot to get in touch with your spiritual nature, to gain insights for the coming fall season, or to pose a specific question about the coming months. Here's how to create a 5-card fall equinox tarot spread:

   • Think of a question you'd like answered by the tarot spread and focus on that question.
   • Draw a card from the tarot deck with your left hand and place it on a surface to represent Earth. Place all the tarot cards face down. They should form a circle with card 1 in the center.
   • Place card 2 to the left to symbolize light, or what you need to release.
   • Card 3 goes to the right of card 1, signifying the dark, or what you need to embrace.
   • Place card 4 above card 1 to stand for seeds to be manifested.
   • Finally, place card 5 beneath card 1, denoting the harvest, or what you’re grateful for.
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   Take a moonlit bath. On the night of the autumn equinox, take a bath outdoors (if possible), or in your bathroom while the moon is out. Set your intention and place autumnal offerings nearby, which could include apples, fall flowers, or crystals. Light some candles, burn sage or incense beforehand, and play soft, comforting music as you bathe. Focus on what you’re grateful for, and what you’re ready to let go of.

   • Moonlit baths are said to release blocked energy and help you balance the opposing forces of light and dark.
   • You can toss harvest-friendly dried peels and fruits, like lemon, orange, and apple, along with herbs like rosemary, into the bath to help purify it.
   • Try leaving a jar of water outside under the moonlight the night before, and use the charged water in your moonlit bath; charged water is believed to be infused with energy and intention when left beneath the moon.
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   Attend a harvest festival or farmer’s market. During this time, connect with the seasonal fruits and vegetables of the season by heading to a local harvest festival or shopping at a farmer’s market. Get creative when it comes to using your ingredients to make an autumn-centric meal or baked good that celebrates fall. Some seasonal items are ahead:

   • Vegetables: potatoes, corn, carrots, radishes.
   • Fruits: apples, pears, berries, pumpkin, squash, zucchini.
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   Create an altar using items that symbolize the fall harvest. Choose a space in your home where you can quietly sit and meditate or perform gratitude or releasing rituals; a shelf, low table, or sideboard works well and doesn’t take up too much space. Then, gather symbols of the harvest and fall season to decorate your altar, like candles, textured fabrics, seasonal fruits and vegetables, and Wiccan symbols of gratitude.

   • Decorate your altar with autumn sunflowers or marigolds, acorns, pumpkins, gourds, pinecones, corn husks, or apples.
   • Include a gratitude jar or box where you can keep a list of things you’re thankful for.
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   Celebrate the fall harvest with a feast. The fall equinox represents the harvest, a time to celebrate the bounty of seasonal fruits and vegetables available. Even if you don’t have time to become a Wiccan, you can still create your own lavish autumnal feast featuring foods like apples, pears, pumpkin, squash, and corn. Decorate for the feast, or hold it outdoors to feel closer to nature.

   • Bake an apple pie or tart that you can share with others.
   • To get others more involved, make the meal a potluck so everyone can bring their favorite fall meal or bake.
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    Visit the gravesite or resting place of loved ones. Heading to the burial or memorial site of family members is a tradition associated with Japan's Ohigan fall equinox festival. It’s also a way to enjoy the outdoors while honoring your ancestors and those you love. Leave an offering of flowers, herbs, stones, crystals, or personal items.
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Section 3 of 6:

What is the fall equinox?

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   The fall equinox signifies the start of the fall seasons. The fall equinox occurs when the sun is directly above the Earth's equator and day and night are of equal length. At that moment, the sun’s position provides equal amounts of daylight and darkness. This event marks the beginning of the autumn season in the Northern Hemisphere. After the autumn equinox, days start to become shorter than nights.

   • The fall equinox generally occurs between September 21st and 24th, but can vary slightly. In the Southern Hemisphere, this equinox typically occurs on or around March 20.
   • The fall equinox marks one of the 8 main points on the Wheel of the Year, a Wiccan Neo-Pagan consisting of 8 holidays (called “sabbats”) to symbolize the seasons.

Section 4 of 6:

What is Mabon?

1. Mabon is the pagan celebration that takes place on the fall equinox. Pronounced “MAY-bon,” it became a neo-pagan holiday that coincided with the fall equinox as a time to give thanks for the Earth’s bounty before the winter season began. It’s traditionally celebrated with gratitude and release rituals, in addition to feasts and activities that connect believers to nature.

   • It’s also called the “2nd harvest festival” or “Witch’s Thanksgiving.”
   • Mabon got its name from the Celtic Mabon ap Modron, the son of the Welsh mother goddess Modron, and the personification of youth. Mabon became the chosen name for the harvest festival celebrating the fall equinox in the 1970s; it was coined by Wiccan Aidan Kelly.
   • The Mabon celebration that takes place on the fall equinox is focused on gratitude and giving thanks for a bountiful harvest. It’s also about releasing anything that you need to let go of, finding balance between the light and the dark, and setting your intention for the new season.
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Section 5 of 6:

Fall Equinox Myths & Traditions Worldwide

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   Moon Festival (China) This Chinese festival is celebrated on the day of the harvest moon, or the full moon occurring closest to the fall equinox. It’s meant to celebrate the full harvest, along with family, community, and completeness, with festive gatherings where moon cake is served, a sweet Chinese pastry made with sesame seed, lotus, and often dried fruits.
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   Higan (Japan) The 6-day Buddhist celebration of Higan (or Higan-e) takes place in Japan during both the fall and spring equinoxes. During this time, people honor the dead by visiting their graves to clean and decorate them. Higan has been a national Japanese holiday since the Meiji period (1868-1912).

   • Higan means “other shore” and symbolizes the spirits of the dead reaching Nirvana.
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   Persephone’s Return (Greek mythology) In ancient Greek myth, Persephone’s return to Hades is often marked by the date of the fall equinox. First abducted from her mother, Demeter (goddess of the harvest), Persephone was taken to the underworld to become Hades’s wife. She was eventually returned to earth, but had to remain with Hades for the fall and winter months.
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   Pyramid of Kukulcan or El Castillo (Mayan) Each year, on the exact moment of the fall equinox, a “snake of sunlight” appears to slither along the staircase of the Mayan pyramid in Chichen Itza, Mexico. The ancient Mayans designed the pyramid using astrological calculations to make sure this event took place due to the sun shining onto the equator.

   • Kukulcan was an ancient feathered serpent god said to descend from the sky on the fall equinox to offer blessings for a full harvest and good health.
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   Michaelmas (Catholicism) Though not on the fall equinox, the Catholic celebration of Michaelmas, also called the Feast of Michael and All Angels, is celebrated yearly on September 29th. It was seen as a celebration of the harvest completion, which was symbolized by the archangel Michael battling against the forces of darkness.
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   Stonehenge Sunrise Each year on the fall equinox, druids, pagans, and other visitors gather at the site of Stonehenge, England, to witness the sunrise. It’s one of the only times of the year when the public can access Stonehenge freely. The gathering is said to honor the coming of autumn and the balance of light and darkness.
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Section 6 of 6:

Symbols of the Fall Equinox

1. Fall equinox symbols celebrate the harvest. Whether plants, flowers, and herbs found in nature, or a palette of colors that screams autumn, the list that follows includes things you can use to decorate your home, adorn your altar, use in a ritual, or cook into a fall feast to remember.

   • Plants: Cornucopia (horn of plenty), pinecones, seeds, autumn leaves.
   • Colors: Orange, red, yellow, brown, gold/amber, dark green.
   • Herbs: Yarrow, rosemary, sage, mugwort, rosehips, cinnamon.
   • Foods: Apples, corn, beans, squash, pumpkins, cider, root vegetables, pomegranate, wine.
   • Flowers: Sunflowers, thistle, marigolds.
   • Animals: Owl or blackbird feathers; images of owls, blackbirds, stags, or salmon.
   • Crystals: Amber, citrine, cat’s eye, aventurine, sapphire, jasper.

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