Someone once said,
Autumn shows us how beautiful it is to let things go.
I think this is a wonderful way to look at the new season and how it mirrors our own lives as we move with the natural rhythms of nature.
Today,
We are going to work with the autumn equinox which marks the halfway point between the summer and winter solstices.
This event happens when the sun crosses the celestial equator moving southward and we begin to see daylight shorten as we move into cosy evenings.
The autumn equinox symbolises balance,
Transition and reflection.
It is a time for slowing down and letting go as we move into a new season.
It also represents the harmony between light and dark and the balance between activity and rest.
Spiritually,
This time encourages releasing what no longer serves you and embracing change.
Through these natural cycles,
We can observe how nature responds and connect that to our own minds,
Bodies and spirits exploring how we too can move with these cycles and learn to live more in tune with the rhythms of nature.
Traditionally,
The equinox is a period for gratitude for the abundance of the harvest season and for us it is a chance to turn inward.
It also offers us a chance to think about everything that we have achieved since the spring and look at that with kindness and gratitude.
As the days get shorter,
Our internal body clocks and circadian rhythms are affected,
Which lead to changes in moods and sleep patterns and we need to work a little bit harder to create balance in our lives.
So today,
To celebrate the autumn equinox we are going to do a guided visualisation focused on balance.
So close your eyes find a really comfortable position and take a deep breath in through your nose and exhale slowly through your mouth.
Do that one more time.
Take a deep breath in through your nose and exhale slowly through your mouth.
Allow your body to relax with each breath sinking deeper into the present moment.
Imagine yourself standing in the centre of a set of scales On one side place your responsibilities,
Your tasks your concerns the things that demand your energy the things that sometimes weigh you down the things that can sometimes feel heavy.
On the other side of the scales,
Place the things that bring you joy the things that replenish your energy the things that make you feel lighter happier more authentically you.
Visualise the scales adjusting finding a perfect equilibrium feel a sense of calm as balance is restored notice where you are feeling this.
Is it in your mind?
Your body?
Your spirit?
Or in all three?
Move away from the scales now and bring your awareness to your body Imagine roots growing from the soles of your feet sinking deep into the earth grounding and stabilising you.
With each inhale draw in that grounding energy and with each exhale release any tension or imbalance and bring yourself to a place of equilibrium just like the scales Connect to the energy of the earth and imagine it moving through you it might be helpful to think of this energy as a light a bright white light that moves up through your legs your hips your spine notice how that energy centres you and makes you feel supported and balanced use that same bright white light to flow upward through your chest your shoulders and your neck feel your entire body becoming aligned both physically and energetically now visualise yourself standing on a serene shoreline the waves gently ebb and flow in perfect harmony with your breath as you inhale the tide comes in and as you exhale,
Watch it go out again this rhythm represents the natural balance of life the give and take everything in the being the action and the rest the light and the dark allow yourself to flow with this rhythm knowing that balance is always available to you now bring your attention into your heart centre into your intuition into your inner voice what does balance look like for you right now?
Bring to mind any areas of your life where you may feel out of balance what could you let go of now to invite in more harmony?
Allow yourself to receive these insights and just sit with them for a moment come back to your breath now and with each exhale imagine letting go of what you need to release trust that by releasing you're making space for balance to be restored move into this season with balance gratitude and excitement take a deep breath in now and exhale slowly bring your awareness back to the present moment you can keep your eyes closed or open them if that feels more comfortable for you I encourage you to create a personal ritual now to honour the equinox you can do this by lighting a candle to symbolise light you might find it helpful to reflect in a journal on what balance means to you and anything that surfaced during this meditation you might want to write down what steps you can take this autumn to invite more balance into your life this might involve bringing in more joy or letting go of any lingering heaviness remember balance looks different for everyone once you're clear on the changes you intend to make try speaking them aloud before blowing out the candle symbolising the intention you've set for yourself other rituals for the equinox include walking in nature,
Giving thanks to the harvest preparing a delicious autumnal meal or anything else you feel like you want to do to celebrate this time thank you so much for joining me today I wish you a beautifully balanced autumn
