The autumnal equinox arrives on Monday, September 22, 2025, at 2:19 P.M. EDT, bringing with it the end of summer, the beginning of fall and the onset of Libra season.
Astronomically, an equinox occurs when the sun crosses the equator. The term combines the Latin word aequi, meaning “equal,” with nox, meaning “night,” as on this day of days, the hours of light and darkness are equal.
Mythically, the autumnal equinox relates to the story of Persephone and marks the moment the goddess descends into the underworld to rejoin her husband, hell daddy Hades.
Astrologically, the fall equinox heralds the arrival of Libra season. Libra is the sign of the scales and partnership, meaning themes of balance and reflection, collection and release are nigh.
What does the fall equinox symbolize?
During the equinox, when day and night are evenly split, many people feel a natural pull toward finding or fostering balance within and beyond themselves.
“What you begin during the Autumn Equinox can shape the rest of 2025. This is a time to set the tone for the months ahead and build momentum through the holidays and into 2026. Many people find clarity in their relationships, let go of old tensions, or make choices that feel more true to who they are,” Psychic Solas, a trusted advisor at Psychic Source, told The Post.
Astrology 101: Your guide to the stars
When is the first day of fall?
This year, the first day of fall falls on September 22, 2025.
Spiritual meaning of the autumn equinox
As we enter into the dark half of the year, the equinox reminds us of the strength that comes from slowing down and turning in.
Here, we rest and reflect so that we can rise and shine again.
“The biggest changes often come when you work with the season’s natural rhythm,” shared Solas, “Those who accept both the bright and difficult parts of life during this time feel more steady and clear about their path.”
When is Mabon 2025?
The pagan festival of Mabon is celebrated each year on the autumnal equinox. During this time, believers and celebrants honor the cycles of withdrawal and return, life, death and the promise of rebirth come spring.
Drawing on earlier traditions and the desire to revive them, Mabon was introduced by Aidan Kelly to the Wheel of the Year — a rotation of eight seasonal Pagan festivals in the 1970s.
Kelly took the name Mabon from Welsh mythology. Mabon ap Modron is the god of youth whose origin story and subsequent hero’s journey highlight themes of abduction and liberation, light and dark, thresholds and initiation.
Madon’s story shares a common thread with the myth of Persephone, IE, transformation through trauma and evolution through descent.
The energy of Mabon is one of reflection and preparation, embracing the abundance of the harvest, the light of the sun and the warmth of community while keeping a cautious eye on the cold to come.
How do we honor our own wild during this time? Read on for practical, purposeful ways to honor the energy of the fall equinox.
Rituals for the fall equinox
Balance your space
Just as trees shake loose dead leaves in the fall to ready themselves for the inevitable return of the new and the good, so too must we let go of the old and the encumbering.
Solas recommends a purge and polish of your living space with an eye on creating balanced, designated areas for work, rest, solitude and social connection.
Stand in the sunlight
The light of the ever-loving sun is a critical source of energy for both body and psyche. Come the fall equinox and in the immortal words of Janis Joplin, “get it while you can,”…because we’re gonna need it.
Bonus pagan points if you can find a spot to absorb the rays in the nude.
Practice gratitude equilibrium
As the autumn equinox represents the precarious balance of light and dark, sun and shadow, Solas recommends a similarly balanced manifestation practice.
“Write down what you want to release alongside what you want to attract.”
Elemental meditation
Solas recommends a practice of elemental emersion: “Spend equal time connecting with earth (grounding), water (flowing), fire (energizing) and air (breathing).”
As Solas maintains and science proves, spending time in nature is the easiest, cheapest way to get right with your body and your mind.
Whether you choose a moving meditation or sit tall and true in the nearest patch of dirt, spending time outdoors strengthens both the spirit and the immune system.
Kandi Wiens, a University of Pennsylvania researcher specializing in the study of stress, resilience, and burnout, echoes this advice. She told The Post that spending time in nature is scientifically proven to release the feel-good hormones dopamine and endorphins. Better yet, the benefits begin in as little as ten minutes under the open sky.
Prioritize self-love
As the cold weather draws us indoors, we should also draw towards self-inquiry and away from people pleasing and relationship projection — particularly as we navigate Libra season with its shadow impetus to sacrifice autonomy for affection, authenticity for comfort.
Taking time to enjoy your own company and prioritize your personal pleasure creates a healthier foundation for every relationship in your life.
Astrologer Reda Wigle researches and irreverently reports on planetary configurations and their effect on each zodiac sign. Her horoscopes integrate history, poetry, pop culture, and personal experience. To book a reading, visit her website.
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