The autumn equinox, also known as the autumnal equinox or equinoctium autumnale, occurs every year around 21 September, when day and night are equally long. This event marks the transition from summer to autumn, and throughout history it has been a time for rituals and celebrations all over the world. In shamanic practice, and in cultures such as the Norse, Sámi, Kven and Forest Finn, the autumn equinox has been associated with nature's cycles, times of transition and reflection.
Today, many still celebrate the autumn equinox with spiritual rituals, but the practice has evolved from the historical traditions. We will take a closer look at both historical and modern celebrations, as well as examples of autumn equinox rituals from other parts of the world.
Historical celebrations of the autumn equinox Haustblot In the Norse world, the autumn equinox was known as haustblot. This was an important time when the community gathered to thank the gods for the year's harvest and to pray for protection through the winter. Both animals and objects were sacrificed in honour of the gods, especially Freyja and Njord, who were associated with fertility and the sea. The haustblot also held a ritual significance tied to the balance between light and darkness, where the transition from summer to winter mirrored people's need to find inner strength before the darker times.
The sacrificial feasts were an integral part of the Norse society's cyclical rituals. Through sacrifice, song and storytelling, people were reminded of their relationship to the forces of nature and the spiritual universe. Shamanic elements, such as contacting the spirit world for guidance and strength, were also present, even if they were not necessarily referred to as shamanism in the modern sense.
Sámi tradition In Sámi culture, the autumn equinox was a natural part of adapting to the cycles of the reindeer and nature. Although there are no concrete historical sources that mention specific autumn equinox celebrations, the changing phases of nature were a central part of Sámi shamanism. Sámi shamans, or noaidis, performed rituals that involved drumming, song and meditation in order to maintain the balance between humans, nature and the spirits. The autumn equinox could mark the beginning of the darker season, and therefore a time to seek insight and preparation through shamanic journeys.
Traditional Sámi rituals around the turning of the seasons were also about securing the health of the reindeer and protecting the community against illness and scarcity through the winter. This made the noaidi an important figure, one who could contact the spirits of the ancestors for protection.
Kven and Forest Finn traditions Although there is limited documentation of specific autumn equinox celebrations in Kven and Forest Finn tradition, their relationship to nature and its cycles was deeply rooted in their way of life. The forest was seen as a sacred place, and many rituals involved contact with the spirits who dwelled there. The autumn equinox may have been used as a time to thank the forces of nature for the harvest and to pray for a safe winter.
The Forest Finns had a deep understanding of nature's cycles, and rituals for purification and balance between humans and nature may have been performed during the autumn equinox, especially through actions that involved the use of fire and smoke to cleanse both the physical and the spiritual space.
Modern celebrations of the autumn equinox Neo-shamanic rituals In today's modern shamanism, the autumn equinox is still an important observance. Although the historical rituals were often tied to practical needs such as securing food and protection, modern celebrations have a more symbolic and personal spiritual significance. Many who practise shamanism today use the autumn equinox for introspection, meditation and finding balance in their lives.
Drum journeys and other forms of meditation are common during autumn equinox celebrations. Here the drum can be used as a tool to journey into the spiritual world, where one seeks guidance from spirits and ancestors. Drum journeys are a central part of many shamanic cultures, and during the autumn equinox they are often used to reflect on the year that has passed and to set intentions for the coming winter.
Modern Sámi celebration Although many of the traditional Sámi rituals have been replaced by, or blended with, Christian customs, there is still an awareness of nature's cycles in modern Sámi culture. Sámi festivals such as Čakčageassi, autumn summer, mark this transition. Even if the autumn equinox is not necessarily celebrated directly, it is a time when nature plays a major role, and shamanic elements such as drumming can still be used to mark the time of transition.
Autumn equinox celebrations in other cultures Celebrations of the autumn equinox are found not only in Nordic cultures, but also in many other parts of the world. Although shamanic practice may vary, the theme of balance between light and darkness is universal.
China: the Mid-Autumn Festival In China, the autumn equinox is celebrated through the Mid-Autumn Festival, or Moon Festival. This celebration is centred on the moon, which at this time is considered full and at its strongest. People gather to eat mooncakes, share stories and admire the moon, which symbolises unity, balance and harmony. Although this celebration is not directly tied to shamanism, it carries the same themes of balance and gratitude found in Nordic and shamanic traditions.
Japan: Higan In Japan, Higan is observed during both the spring and autumn equinoxes. This is a time to honour the ancestors, and many Japanese families visit the graves of their forebears to lay flowers and pray. Higan means "the other shore" and symbolises the transition from this world to the afterlife. In many ways this mirrors shamanic traditions in which the ancestors play a central role in ceremonies to ensure prosperity and protection.
Mexico: the Maya autumn equinox In Mexico, especially in Maya culture, the autumn equinox was celebrated at the pyramids of Chichen Itza. On this day a phenomenon occurs in which the shadow of the sun forms the image of a serpent on the steps of the pyramid El Castillo, representing the feathered serpent god Kukulkan. This event was an important part of the Maya understanding of nature's cycles and their connection to the spirit world.
