Reflections on the Fall Equinox: Ceremony, Change, and Reciprocity

The trees celebrate in colour and then let go of their kin, scattering their leaves along the ground as a reminder that the season is shifting. Autumn signals a change in rhythm. Each season offers its own collection of gifts—textures, sounds, colours, and experiences—that remind us that nothing in nature is static. The land, water, and air are always in motion, continually transforming. These changes teach that the land is dynamic, and that to live well is to pay attention to these cycles.

This transition is also a time of reflection and acknowledgement. Many cultural and spiritual teachings describe the importance of ceremony during the change of seasons, including during the fall equinox. An Elder once explained

This idea remains central across many traditions, and my own. While ceremonies differ depending on culture, place, and teachings, they share a common purpose: to remind us of gratitude, responsibility, and connection. These ceremonies also remind us that reciprocity is not only with one another, but with the land itself. This time of year, often called the fall equinox, we would host a fall seasonal ceremony—acknowledging the season that has passed and the one that is arriving. It offers thanks for the gifts that were provided during the summer and prepares the way for those still to come. The intention is not only personal reflection but also collective acknowledgement, often expressed through community, food, and shared gratitude.

Seasonal change reflects nature’s timing, inviting a moment of rebalance and reminding us of the importance of reciprocity in life. It is a time to pause, to reflect on what the summer provided, and to prepare for what the fall and winter will bring. The season invites gratitude not only for abundance and growth, but also for the reminders that change is constant and necessary.

As this new season unfolds, all are encouraged to take a moment to slow down and notice the signals of fall. The gifts of each season are brief, but they remind us of the cycles that sustain life. To give thanks for summer’s offerings and to welcome the gifts of autumn is to recognize that every season is a teacher guiding us to live with awareness, care, and respect for the land.