Fall Equinox
September 22, at 6:54 PM was the Fall Equinox in the northern hemisphere. The meaning of the Latin word for equinox is “equal night.” On the equinox, the length of day and night are equal as the sun shines directly on the equator. Our daylight will become a little shorter each day until the Winter Solstice.
There are three ancient monuments built to honor the equinoxes and solstices.
· The sacred Intihuatana stone in Machu Picchu, Peru, accurately indicates the two equinoxes. When the sun sits directly over the stone it creates no shadow.
· The giant Mayan pyramid, Chichen Itza, in Mexico looks as if a snake made of light is slithering down the steps of the pyramid during the equinoxes.
· The set of giant stones laid out in concentric rings called Stonehenge, in England, was also built with the equinoxes and solstices in mind.
On the Fall equinox, we honor change and new intentions. It’s a shifting of the duration of light and dark, from warn to cool, when the leaves on the trees turn bright colors of red, orange and yellow and then fall to the ground to become compost for spring growth, and a time when birds and butterflies migrate, following the warmth of the sun.
The Harvest of the Earth
This is also a time to honor the harvest, the harvest of the earth’s bounty as well as our personal harvests, to be in gratitude for the abundance of life. It is a time when both humans and animals prepare for the cold winter months when much of the earth is resting. Our personal harvest could be the fruits of our own labor along with the lessons we have learned from our life experiences, relationships and events. Many people gather together to share foods prepared from their harvests and to express their gratitude. An attitude of gratefulness helps bring more abundance into our life.
Change requires letting go so this is a good time to honor any big changes currently happening in your life. Ceremony and ritual is a great way to embracing change, fully opening yourself up to accepting change while releasing old patterns that are keeping you from moving forward.
Candle Ceremony - To Seek the Divine Balance
Light both candles, and say the following:
The black candle represents darkness and pain and things we are willing to eliminate from our life. Honor the balance of day and night, dark and light
The white candle represents the light and joy and all the abundance we wish to bring forth. Seek balance in life as balance is found in the Universe.
Close your eyes and reflect on the following question as I ask them:
· What are things I am glad to have in my life?
· What seeds did I sow in the spring and then nurtured all summer?
· What have I been spending my time and energy cultivating?
· Is it related to my home, garden, job, income, health, family, partner, friend, community, spirituality, finding balance, happiness, joy, love,?
· What am I ready to harvest?
Write down the following:
· At least one thing you are ready to let go of
· At least one thing you are truly grateful for
· At least one change you are ready to embrace
Take a few more minutes to meditate on the candle flame, focusing on what you have written.
Take your list home and either burn it, allowing the smoke to carry what you have written into the hands of the Divine creator. Or you can bury it within the earth so it can decompose to become fertilizer for new growth in the spring.
The recognition of gratitude is a gift that keeps on giving because it reminds us of all the ways we are fortunate. You may also choose to recognize the people in your life you are grateful for. Send them a note, tell them in person or over the phone how much you appreciate them and what they have done or been for you.
Closing with Reverend Mulvany's variation on the Buddhist Metta Prayer
May I be filled with loving-kindness
May I be well
May I be peaceful and at ease
May I be happy
May I be free
May you be filled with loving-kindness
May you be well
May you be peaceful and at ease
May you be happy
May you be free
May we be filled with loving-kindness
May we be well
May we be peaceful and at ease
May we be happy
May we be free
May all beings everywhere, known and unknown, be filled with loving-kindness
May they be well
May they be peaceful and at ease
May they be happy
May they be free
Spiritual Gatherings Please join us at 10:30 AM on the 2nd & 4th Sunday's of the month at Laughing Giraffe Therapy 100 O'Connor Drive #14 San Jose CA 95128
Reverend Felecia Mulvany, D.D.
President, Sacred Foundations, Inc.
revmulvany@sacredfoundations.net
www.sacredfoundations.net
877-877-4275
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