As the world turns, the equinox arrives, marking the perfect moment when day and night are equal in length. While many people associate this time of year with spring in the Northern Hemisphere, the autumn equinox in Australia ushers in a different kind of magic. Here, it signifies the shift from the scorching summer heat to the more temperate and mellow days of autumn.
What Is the Autumn Equinox?
The autumn equinox occurs when the Earth’s axis is neither tilted toward nor away from the Sun, causing the Sun to be directly above the Equator. This results in approximately 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness. In the Southern Hemisphere, it marks the start of autumn, and for many, it’s a time to reflect, relax, and enjoy the natural beauty that unfolds during this gentle transition.
Autumn in Australia: A Season of Colour and Change
Unlike the usual images of autumn with golden leaves in places like the United States or Europe, Australia’s autumnal colours are unique. In the southern states, especially Tasmania, Victoria, and parts of New South Wales, the trees begin to show off their rich, warm hues—think fiery reds, oranges, and browns. It’s the perfect time to visit national parks or take scenic drives, such as the Great Ocean Road, where autumn leaves create a breathtaking landscape.
In contrast, many parts of northern Australia, including Queensland, have a subtropical climate where the seasonal changes are subtler. While it’s still warm, the temperatures become more bearable, and the humidity starts to drop. The air feels fresher, making it a fantastic time to explore the tropical rainforests or enjoy the beaches with fewer crowds.
Autumn Equinox Correspondents
Names: Autumn Equinox, Mabon
Deities: Demeter, Bacchus
Colours: Maroon, orange, purple, scarlet, deep green, gold, brown
Symbols: Pine cones, autumnal flowers, wheat stalks, acorns
Foods: Apples, grains, nuts, carrots, potatoes, cranberries, pumpkins, pomegranate, breads
Drinks: Wine, cider, Chai
Things to do at Mabon
- Visit your local farmers market and buy in season fruits and vegetables
- Perform a gratitude ritual
- Cooking with in-season foods
- Do a home protection spell
- Go outside and enjoy the autumn sunshine
- Go apple picking then make an apple dessert – apple pie, apple crumble, baked apples
- Meditate to reconnect with Mother Earth
- Make a broom
- Journaling
- Light black or white candles
- Dry leaves
- Declutter your space
- Have a harvest meal with family and friends.
- Donate or volunteer at your local animal shelter
- Have a go at making cider
- Drying herbs
What we’re doing.
A quiet day for us. I worked on decluttering my craft space so I could do some prep for our monthly crafternoon and some monthly memory planner catch up.
I set up a small alter and did a home protection ritual.
We made carrot soup with fresh local carrots, stewed apples and made apple pies and made a small batch of tomato relish.
Wrote a gratitude list for the first quarter of the year.
As we move through this transition, let’s take a moment to celebrate the changing of the seasons, not just in the world around us, but within ourselves. The equinox reminds us of the beauty of balance and the power of nature to renew, refresh, and inspire.
So, on March 20th/21st, why not step outside, take in the changing light, and appreciate the peaceful shift that autumn brings to Australia?