What is the Autumn Equinox 2025?
The autumn equinox 2025 takes place on 22 September at 19:19 BST in the UK. That’s 14:19 on the US East Coast (EDT), 04:19 on 23 September in Sydney (AEST), and 02:19 in China (CST). At this precise moment, the Sun crosses the celestial equator and day and night are almost perfectly equal in length across the globe.
For a brief pause in the turning of the year, the Earth tilts neither towards nor away from the Sun. Light and dark are balanced, as if nature is quietly resetting itself. From this point forward, the nights grow longer and the days shorter in the northern hemisphere, while in the southern hemisphere, spring is beginning and light is on the rise.
Ancient cultures knew this moment was significant. Sites such as Stonehenge in England and Chichén Itzá in Mexico were carefully aligned so that the Sun would cast special patterns at the equinoxes. These monuments show that even thousands of years ago, people were deeply attuned to the rhythms of the cosmos.
Today, we may have apps that tell us the exact minute of sunset, but many of us still feel the pull of this natural turning point. For me, in the northern hemisphere, the meaning of the autumn equinox goes beyond astronomy. It invites us to pause, reflect, and realign with the cycles of nature.
Modern life, electric lights, the 247 culture that we live in is often so busy reaffirming itself that it completely misses these small moments which mark profound changes in our environment. This year, I invite you to step off the hamster wheel for a moment and realign yourself with the Wheel of the Year.
And since I am living in the northern hemisphere, I will direct this article to the autumn equinox. If you live in the southern hemisphere, check out my post on the Spring Equinox for ideas on how to celebrate your return to spring.
Mythology and Traditions of the Autumn Equinox
Throughout history, cultures across the world have told stories and created rituals to explain and celebrate the equinox.
- Greek mythology – The autumn equinox marks the time when Persephone descends into the underworld to spend time with her husband, Hades. Her mother, Demeter, goddess of the harvest, grieves, bringing on autumn and winter. Her return in spring restores fertility to the land. This cycle symbolises loss, return, and renewal.
- Celtic tradition – In the Celtic Wheel of the Year, the equinox is celebrated as Mabon, a harvest festival. It honours balance, abundance, and gratitude for the fruits of the earth. Feasting, bonfires, and sharing food are traditional ways to mark this season.
- Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival – Families gather under the harvest moon, light lanterns, and eat mooncakes. The festival celebrates reunion, harmony, and abundance.
- Native American traditions – Many indigenous communities hold ceremonies of thanks, honouring the harvest and preparing spiritually for the darker months.
These stories remind us that while cultures are diverse, the symbolism of balance and harvest is universal. The equinox is a bridge between worlds, the duality that exists as light and dark, inner and outer, life and death, past and future. But remember that these are two sides of the same coin – one cannot exist without the other.
Spiritual Meaning of the Autumnal Equinox
The equinox carries a deeper invitation: to find balance within ourselves.
Just as day and night stand equal, we can ask: where is there harmony in my life, and where is there imbalance? Am I giving too much energy outward and forgetting self-care? Am I focusing so much on the material world that I’m neglecting my spiritual one, or the other way around?
This season also holds a spiritual message of gratitude and letting go. The harvest is not only about crops adn gathering in what we have sown; it is also about what we’ve grown in our own lives, be they dreams, projects, relationships, inner growth, or things that we wish we hadn’t.
Now is the time to give thanks for what has flourished and to consciously release what no longer serves us, just as the trees let go of their leaves without resistance. It is all part of the flow of nature that allows for new growth in the spring.
The autumn equinox 2025 marks a turning point. It sparks awe in me as I notice the balance of day and night in the northern hemisphere. For those south of the equator, this same moment is the spring equinox, showing just how connected the whole world is through the cycles of the Earth and sun.
The Equinox and the Power of Living in the Now
One of the deepest gifts of the autumn equinox 2025 is its sense of stillness. Just for a moment, light and dark stand in balance. Not rushing forward, not clinging back, but simply existing and resting in the now.
It’s a reminder that life is lived in the present. The past is already behind us, the future has not yet unfolded, but the now is alive with possibility. At the equinox, nature seems to whisper, at least to me: pause, breathe, notice.
When we allow ourselves to be fully present, we discover that even ordinary moments carry extraordinary depth. The crunch of leaves underfoot, the golden light of late afternoon, the laughter of loved ones over a simple meal, these become doorways into presence. And presence is your doorway to yourself. Eckart Tolle wrote about this in his life-changing book, “The Power of Now” – see the Resources section.
Living in the now doesn’t mean ignoring the past or forgetting the future. It means understanding that the only place we can ever act, love, and grow is here, in this present breath. The rest is an illusion of ‘if, buts and maybes’. The balance of the equinox is not only about day and night, it is about finding our own balance between remembering, dreaming, and living fully in this moment.
See more about living in the now in our article here.
Or watch our 3-minute video below.
(Please note that the url at the end of the video is no longer active, you are on the correct and most current website here).
Mindful Ways to Honour the Autumn Equinox 2025
Here are some simple practices to make the most of this wonderful turning point:
- Gratitude journalling – Write down what you have harvested in your life this year—achievements, blessings, lessons learned, even if you may not be that thrilled with everything – find gratitude in what you have learned from them
- Light a candle at sunset – Honour the balance of light and dark as the nights grow longer
- Create an altar of balance – Place two candles, two stones/crystals, or other paired objects to symbolise harmony between opposites
- Cook a seasonal meal – Apples, blackberries, squashes, and root vegetables are perfect for a harvest feast – even better if you have grown them yourself – I’m really looking forward to my homegrown blackberry and apple crumble!
- Practice letting go – Write down something you are ready to release and burn or bury it as a symbol of surrender. Letting go allows new things to emerge and promotes your growth
- Spend time outdoors – A walk among autumn leaves helps you connect with the natural shift in energy; collect conkers, chestnuts, berries, make outdoor art – there really is so much that can be enjoyed
Frequently asked questions about the equinox
Is day exactly equal to night on the equinox?
Essentially yes, but in reality, not quite. Because of atmospheric refraction and the size of the Sun’s disc, daylight is usually a little longer than darkness. But it is the closest point of balance we have in the year.
What is the difference between the Autumn Equinox and the Solstice?
The equinox marks a moment of balance when day and night are essentially equal. The solstices mark the longest and shortest days of the year.
How often do equinoxes occur?
Twice a year—once in March (spring equinox in the northern hemisphere and once in September (autumn equinox in the norther hemisphere). These are reversed in the southern hemisphere.
What to do now
The autumnal equinox 2025 is not just a date in the calendar. It’s a reminder that we live within cycles, not straight lines. Nature invites us to pause, to honour the harvest of our lives, and to prepare for the inward journey of winter.
Do something to mark this special moment, and reconnect to your inner awareness of the seasons and the cycles of the year. If you’d like, share in the comments how you plan to honour the equinox.
May this equinox bring you balance, peace, and gratitude. And may you find joy in both the light and the dark, knowing that each has its place in the great wheel of the year.
The connection you drew between the autumn equinox’s equal day and night and the spiritual theme of balance is a thoughtful way to frame the season. Using this time for gratitude practices and releasing what no longer serves us turns an astronomical event into a meaningful personal ritual.
People sometimes focus so much on the harvest aspect that they overlook how the equinox can also be a moment to prepare inwardly for the coming winter, both literally and metaphorically.
You mentioned incorporating nature elements into meditation during this time. Are there specific natural symbols—like fallen leaves or changing light—that you’ve found particularly powerful for reflection? Also, for those new to observing the equinox, what would be a simple first step to honor the day without feeling overwhelmed?
Hello and thanks for your kind comments on the autumn equinox 2025 post. I agree that there is often a lot of focus on harvest which is understandable and it’s good to be grateful for what we have reaped but it is also a time to start preparing for winter and to let go of the things that no longer serve, just as the trees let go of the leaves. This allows new growth in the spring.
To answer you question, a simple way to observe it is to just welcome the sun rise and sunset. This is usually easy at this time of year because we are usually awake when this happens. Lighting a candle (safely) is always a simple practice but it can be a mindful one. Using a scented candle will also fill your house with a nice fragrance too. I like to journal my thoughts and have a special meal with my daughters – we like to just reflect on the past and look forward to the future, but we do this mindfully in the moment so that we stay connected to the present.
Are you thinking of celebrating the equinox? If so, I’d love to hear your ideas. Happy Mabon. Gail