Take a Shamanic Journey During the Autumnal Equinox

Shamanism and the Autumn Equinox

Monday, September 22

7:29 PM Pacific Daylight Time

[[File:Tokoroa (May 2012).jpg|thumb|Autumn in the New Zealand town of Tokoroa.]]

The Autumnal Equinox, known among pagans as Mabon, marks the final harvest festival on the Wheel of the Year. In traditional cultures, communities would gather to ritually thank their ancestors and/or regional spirits or deities for abundance. Shamans often led the rituals. In some cultures, the shaman would open herself or himself to receive messages for the community from the ancestors or gods. Often the message warned the community to take collective action to ensure its survival through the winter or abundance in next year’s harvests. End strife. Pray for rain.

In the northern hemisphere, days shorten. Nights lengthen. Our physical world grows increasingly dark. During Autumnal Equinox light and dark are in balance. Enter stillness and envision what a balanced life would look like to you. Identify your inner darkness. Recognize your inner light. Begin your shamanic journey inward.

As you journey, shake a rattle or drum to call forth your inner darkness. Leverage the energetic force of the equinox to befriend or banish your inner darkness. If it no longer serves your highest good, then why retain it?

Know that you are strong enough to shed your demons. Believe that the coming dark of winter is a time of reflection and gathering strength. Your shamanic journey can be made in small bursts of courage and repeated as often as needed. After all, it is a journey. You’ll know when to quiet your drum or rattle and sit unafraid in the silence.

~Ariella Moon

© 2014 by Ariella Moon
Coming in October: Witchy Wednesdays

Coming in November: Spell For Sophia, Book #4, The Teen Wytche Saga by Ariella Moon