The Coming Equinox

Last updated on: September 18, 2014 at 6:32 am by Niki Whiting

The Coming Equinox 2014-09-17T16:46:53-08:00 Niki Whiting

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

I’ve always appreciated the Equinoxes. I like the reminders that both the Light and the Dark are coming. I’ve never celebrated the more Wiccan Mabon version. For me I used it as a time of re-balancing. I used the Equinoxes to fast and clean, to shed the excesses and intensities of the previous season and prepare for the new one. My practice used to be to abstain from food – a full 24 hour fast of nothing but water, do a lot of yoga and meditation, and deep clean the house. And then I had kids.

Strict fasting is out, as I’ve been pregnant and/or nursing for the last 7 years. Besides, I take a limited fast every Monday. Lots of yoga and meditation is also generally out, as uninterrupted time is hard come by. I just accept that my yoga and meditation practice comes with a child nearby. Deep cleaning a house also takes all week as I fit it in between the needs of my family and regular daily requirements.

However, this year has a special feel to it. It’s the first Equinox in our new home. The first one where we can see what a harvest looks like.

Our garden is beyond abundant, as is my gratitude. My husband and I know almost nothing about growing our own food. We bought a house with a huge garden. Instead of letting it go to seed, we invited some local sustainable agriculture students to farm it. They grow their own food and we have the ability to go out and pick what we need. They get rent-free land and we get a share of the land’s bounty.

This Equinox I am grateful for the four college students who work so lovingly with the Land. I am grateful that allow my kids to “help” and teach them things about bugs and dirt and plants.

As I deep clean my house over the course of this week, in frustrating fits and starts, I am grateful for all of the abundance in our lives. The lush Land outside our doors and the lush chub of a healthy baby. For my kids who are thriving in a new school year and home that is filled with love and acceptance.

This Saturday, the formal Equinox, I’ll raise a glass in thanks and my family will talk about gratitude. I’ll stand outside and offer blessings to Land and Spirits. If the “gardeners” come by (they’ve been on vacation) I will thank them too.

The Dark will begin to make Its presence felt and tides will shift. And my family life will get busier as school and activities and more holidays will fill the calendar. But this weekend I pause and accept my body and my home and my Land as it is, with gratitude for all its abundance.

Previous Post

September 16, 2014

Reviewing the New Hindu Toolbox

Next Post

September 21, 2014 Equinox Gratitude

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Alaska altar altars Ana Ancestors Anderson witchcraft Arddu Bhairava Biography bodies books Christianity Christmas community current events death Delphic Maxims Dhumavati dual observance Durga Faery family life feminism Feri Feri tradition Feri witchcraft food ganesha gratitude Guest Post guru health Hinduism holidays Jesus Kali Lakshmi land links magic Many Gods West movie review movies music my heart mystery myth Navratri Orthodoxy pagan pagan culture paganism pantheacon parenting Place politics polytheism practice pratice prayer Red Goddess review ritual sacred arts Samhain Saraswati Shinto Shiva singing Star Goddess Tantra tarot the Gods theory Uncategorized values virgin mary wales washington winter witchcraft year in review yoga

Select a Month September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What is the first commandment in the Ten Commandments?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Do not steal No other gods Honor parents Do not murder