Autumnal Equinox Writing Tips and Rituals
“Every leaf speaks bliss to me, fluttering from the autumn tree.” – Emily Bronte
The Fall Equinox is an incredible time for intuitives and creatives to find balance as we begin our slow descent towards those cozy winter months. If you’d like to harness these unique energies, this year the equinox occurs on Thursday, September 22nd.
The word equinox comes from the Latin words aequus (equal) and nox (night). At the equinox, the night is almost equal in length to the day. On this day, the amount of time we experience night and day are equal. Given this heightened focus on balance, it’s a wonderful time to look at our own lives and creative endeavors to discover how we can create more balance, self-care, and gentleness.
At this time of year I start to pause and take inventory on how this year has gone. It helps me look back to see where I can begin to make change and let go as the leaves begin to fall. It also allows me to have a better set up for the New Year when I want to create some new goals around my creativity.
Below, I list a few writing tips set up in steps that include a short ritual for each. If you can carve out some time for you this fall equinox, I invite you to do so. When we choose ourselves and our dreams, anything is possible.
Step 1: Setting Boundaries
When we want to create a better writing lifestyle, we have got to start putting up boundaries. Those boundaries could look like carving out 20 minutes a day for your writing and keeping that promise to yourself. When we set boundaries it’s a fantastic time to look at where we feel imbalance, so let’s get started with some journal prompts and our ritual.
Before beginning the ritual portion of these step, please read in full and gather the following materials (or substitute with what you feel is appropriate for you):
A purple candle and match or lighter
A black candle
A pen and two pieces of paper
A creative work that inspires you, such as a book, a photo, an album or an art print
Access to a freezer (the one in your fridge will do just fine)
A plastic sandwich or Ziplock bag
A crystal or small item of your choosing that you can carry with you (in your pocket, wallet, or purse)
To start any ritual, take some time to breathe deeply. You might sit down on the floor or in a chair with your materials on a desk in front of you. Light your candles and close your eyes. Imagine as you inhale you’re breathing in sunshine and as you exhale you’re creating more space in your body and life.
Once you’re in a calm and meditative state, pull out your pen and one piece of paper. Write your thoughts on the following prompts:
What areas of my life are lacking balance?
Why am I currently prone to imbalance in this area? Is there a deeper reason I'm neglecting the other side of my needs?
How does this imbalance make me feel? (Be sure to note if it makes you feel angry, sad, frustrated at someone, afraid of change... all of these thoughts and emotions are valid and important to note.)
When you're done answering the prompts, fold the paper in half, bringing the bottom corners of the paper up to meet the top corners. Keeping the paper on the table or floor in front of you, turn it half-way to the left. Now, fold it from the bottom to the top again. Turn left again. Repeat until it's difficult to fold the paper anymore.
Carefully drip some wax from the black candle onto the paper to "seal" it (it doesn't have to be a perfect seal... this is symbolic, after all). Set the paper aside.
Blow out the black candle and watch the smoke twirl through the air. Envision the smoke as embodying the negative factors that were preventing you from achieving balance. Watch those factors float away into the air.
Put the paper into the plastic bag, and then put it in the back of your freezer. It's going to stay there for the foreseeable future—try to just forget about it. This is symbolically “freezing out” these areas where you are holding imbalance so you can create more balance.
Step 2: Inviting in Creativity
As artists, writers, and visionaries, we thrive in creative spaces. So, how are you inviting creativity into your life each day? Do you take time to be inspired by other works? Do you take yourself on artist dates? What lights you up? By inviting creativity into our lives, we become more inspired to write from a place of authenticity and excitement.
To begin this part of the ritual process, take some deep breaths again to come back to your meditative state. Light the purple candle.
Take your inspiring object (your book, art print, album, etc.) into your hands. Close your eyes and try to feel all the work, energy, and creativity that went into making this inspiring work. Spend a good three to five minutes absorbing its energy (if your object was a musical piece, a comedy sketch, or something more audible than visual, feel free to play it in the background while you concentrate!). You might imagine that you are soaking in white or orange light and the creator is lighting you up with creative magic.
Once you feel you’ve absorbed all you can, put your object aside and take out your second piece of paper. On the paper, write your thoughts on the following prompts:
What is it about my chosen creative work that inspires me?
What did it probably feel like to create this work? (Really try to get into the mindset of the creator here.)
What is one habit I can implement today that will help me make more space for creativity in my life?
When you're done answering the prompts, fold the paper in half, this time folding it from the top toward the bottom. Turn it half-way to the right, and fold in half again. Just like before, repeat this until you can no longer fold the paper easily.
As you did in step one, "seal" the paper, this time with the purple wax. Set the paper aside.
Blow out the candle, and this time as you're watching the smoke spread through the air, envision that the smoke represents your wishes for creativity being carried out into the universe.
Take the piece of paper with you and head outside. Bury the paper in the soil to represent the planting of a seed that will eventually grow into a strong and beautiful (creative) tree.
Step 3: Creating Balance
Balance is a process. Yes, this ritual will help you start it, but it’s not all going to come to you in one day. Also, remember, life is a spiral and you may find yourself walking blissfully and peacefully one day, then feel like you’re on a tightrope the next. It’s ok. Be gentle with yourself. Trust your process.
Creating balance is the most important tip I have for writers and creatives. If we expect too much of ourselves, sometimes our creativity feels stuck or lacking. If we don’t make time for our creativity at all, we can feel depressed and unfulfilled. Find a schedule flow that works for you and begin it. For some that will look like 2 hours of writing every Wednesday, for others that may look like 15 minutes per day doing their creative work.
At this time of year, prepare to let things go. Everything around us is dying and the trees are letting go of their leaves. Take time to notice what things in your life are ready to be released and don’t be afraid to let them go. When we make space, we can invite more of what we want in.
To make this promise to yourself, head back inside and once again sit in front of your crystal or small item that you can carry with you. Hold this item in your hand, close your eyes, and breathe deeply.
In your mind, bring up all of the promises you are wanting to make for your creative lifestyle. You might whisper them to your crystal or small item. Ask for help as you grow more full into balance. Imagine white light entering the crystal or small item and then imagine the crystal or small item sending that light to you.
Take a few more breaths to feel that connection and trust that as you carry this trinket, you will always be connected to balance as you discover your dreams.
Happy Fall Equinox, writers!
