As the Fall Equinox approaches, it serves as a powerful reminder of balance and transformation. The equinox, a moment when day and night are perfectly balanced, symbolizes the harmony between light and dark, action and reflection. This natural event has long been celebrated across cultures for its connection to the harvest, personal reflection, and the welcoming of a new season. Integrating herbs, Ayurvedic traditions, and energetic healing practices during this time can help you align with the natural rhythms of the earth and nurture your body, mind, and spirit.
### The Magic of Herbs in the Fall Equinox
The Fall Equinox is Here: Herbs and Rituals that Help
Celebrating the Fall Equinox with herbs is a time-honored tradition that emphasizes the connection between nature's harvest and our personal transitions. Herbs such as rosemary, sage, cinnamon, and clove have long been used to mark this season of change. (Think savory and warming spices!) Rosemary and sage are especially potent in their ability to promote clarity and grounding during times of transformation. They're also easily accessible since they're the typical "garden herbs" that are likely ready for harvesting at this time, either from your very own garden, or from a local food market. When used in cooking or as part of a ritual, these herbs help us anchor ourselves, cleansing old energies and making way for new growth. Rosemary, known for aiding memory and clarity, is especially helpful as we reflect on our goals for the coming months, while sage is often burned in smudging ceremonies to purify the environment.
Warming herbs like cinnamon and clove are also central to Fall Equinox celebrations. They evoke feelings of protection and warmth, which is essential as we transition into cooler months. Cinnamon can be infused in teas or desserts to provide not only a comforting flavor but also spiritual protection. Clove, with its sharp, aromatic scent, can be used to ward off negative energy, creating a sanctuary of calm and reflection in your home. By incorporating these herbs into your Fall Equinox rituals—whether through tea, cooking, or burning bundles of dried herbs—you engage with the earth’s natural cycles that can align and balance you both physically and mentally. I personally love chai tea made with Rooibos loose leaf tea and fresh ground chai herbs. My favorite herbs in my chai tea are cardamom, cinnamon, clove, and ginger.
Ayurveda and the Fall Equinox
In Ayurvedic tradition, the Fall Equinox marks a significant time for balancing the Vata dosha, which governs movement and change. As we move from the heat of summer into the coolness of autumn, Vata becomes more predominant, bringing with it qualities like dryness, lightness, and coolness. To maintain balance, Ayurveda suggests consuming warming, nourishing foods such as root vegetables, grains, and warming spices like ginger, turmeric, and cumin.
Triphala, a well-known Ayurvedic herbal blend made of three fruits—amla, bibhitaki, and haritaki—is particularly helpful during seasonal transitions. I use the brand "Banyan Botanicals" and take this supplement daily during seasonal transitions. Triphala supports digestion, detoxification, and rejuvenation, helping the body eliminate toxins accumulated during the summer. This blend is gentle yet effective in promoting overall well-being as we prepare for the slower, more introspective winter months.
Additionally, Ayurvedic practitioners recommend adapting your lifestyle to mirror the changes in nature (Again, think of nature's cycles) --This can mean waking up earlier to align with the shortening days, enjoying a warm oil massage (abhyanga) to soothe Vata, or practicing gentle, grounding yoga practices like forward bends and twists. These practices help balance your internal energy as the external world shifts from the expansive energy of summer to the inward, contemplative energy of fall. Yin yoga and restorative yoga are highly effective!
Energetic Healing and Other Energetic Practices:
The Fall Equinox is a powerful time for energetic healing and other practices such as shamanic journeying, tai chi, and meditation, which are aimed at balancing and realigning the self WITH the Self, purifying and cleansing that which needs to fall away in order to feel more balanced and grounded. The shift in seasons is an ideal time to practice energy clearing techniques such as smudging, which involves burning herbs like sage or palo santo to cleanse one's personal space and home. By using smoke as a tool for purification, we can release the stagnation accumulated in our homes and bodies during the summer, creating space for new intentions and fresh energy.
In shamanic traditions, the equinox is seen as a gateway for inner transformation. Shamanic journeys—where practitioners enter a meditative, trance-like state to connect with their inner guidance or spirit guides—can be particularly effective at this time. The fall equinox, with its emphasis on balance, is an ideal time to journey inward, seek clarity, and gain insight into what needs to be released and what seeds of intention should be planted for the future.
This is also a good time for chakra balancing and sound healing, using instruments like singing bowls or tuning forks to restore equilibrium in the body’s energy centers. The equinox offers a perfect opportunity to reflect on how the energy within us mirrors the balance of the natural world, and to take proactive steps to realign any imbalances and get back to observance of the natural cycles of life.
Rituals to Mark the Fall Equinox
To honor the equinox, you can create a personal ritual that integrates herbs, Ayurvedic practices, and energy healing techniques. Here are a few ideas:
1. Herbal Tea Ceremony: Brew a tea using cinnamon, clove, rosemary (or as I suggested earlier, Chai tea which is a lovely blend of warming and invigorating herbs). As you sip, meditate on the balance of light and dark in your life, and set intentions for the coming months. Allow the warmth of the tea to ground and protect you.
2. Smudging Ceremony: Burn a bundle of sage, rosemary, or other local herbs (it's best to use locally sourced herbs and herbs that are plentiful and not threatened by over-harvesting) to cleanse your home or sacred space. As the smoke rises, visualize old energies being released and replaced with clarity and focus.
3. Ayurvedic Self-Care: Start the day with a self-massage using warm sesame oil to soothe Vata dosha. Follow this with a light breakfast of spiced porridge or stewed apples to nourish your body and balance the airy, cool qualities of autumn. If you are unsure of what to do for Ayurvedic Self-Care and want a more specific, catered experience, find an Ayurvedic Practitioner near you to assist with this.
4. Chakra Balancing Meditation: There are many free chakra balancing meditations on YouTube. I'd suggest checking one of those out. If you happen to like ASMR Reiki Youtube videos, I personally love Whispers of the Wolf and SilverHare, but there are MANY videos and it depends on your personal preference.
As we enter the season of the Fall Equinox, take the opportunity to celebrate the cycles of nature and honor your own transformation. Whether you incorporate herbs, engage in Ayurvedic self-care, or seek balance through energetic healing, this time of year offers a chance to reset, recharge, and prepare for the introspective months ahead.
Thank you for reading!
Much Gratitude,
Lauren @ Brahmaloka Healing Arts LLC
XOXO
