Fall Equinox Seasonal Message – Kate Braun

Sunday, September 23, 2007 is when we celebrate the Fall Equinox. Lord Sun enters Libra, the sign of balance, while Lady Moon is in her second quarter in Pisces, the sign that absorbs all the Zodiacal energies. Alternate names for this lesser festival are: Mabon, Harvest Home, Second Harvest, and Cornucopia. It is a time to revel in the abundance of the Earth, to give and receive the fruits of your labors, to observe the balances in your life and contemplate how that balance is likely to change as the seasons progress.

Decorate yourself and the space designated for your celebrating with autumn colors: red, russet, brown, gold, orange, maroon, violet. Enjoy the textures of velvet, velour, and corduroy as table and altar coverings as well as your dress. Encourage your guests to “dress up” a bit, too. Colors and textures are as much a part of your celebration as the food and drink that is served. Choose among gourds, pine cones, acorns, apples, pomegranates, dried seeds, grapes, and grains for your table and altar decorations. A lovely centerpiece could be created using a scales (to focus the attention on balance) with each side displaying acorns and apples, grapes and grains; the possibilities are as varied as your imagination.

Center your menu on these seasonal foods: blackberries, nuts, garlic, apples, pomegranates, all root vegetables. Drink fruit wine and cider. Share the leftovers and encourage your guests to bring food to share. We are still enjoying abundance.

The two equinoxes are times when a raw egg can be balanced on its larger end. If you and/or your guests choose to try, you might find it interesting to consider the symbolism of the egg while focusing on the balancing: the eggshell represents Earth; the eggs’ membrane represents Air; the yolk represents Fire; the egg white represents Water. Earth, Air, Fire, and Water, the four elements that, in an infinite array of combinations, make up all things (or so it was believed in the Long Ago). Four is considered the “perfect number”, so to contemplate the egg as it balances is to contemplate perfection.

Remember to give thanks during your feasting. Beginning with you, the host of the event, and progressing around the table sunwise (East to South to West to North), give thanks (to the aging dieties and to the Spirit World for the health, wealth, and happiness they have brought you; to Mother Earth (or The Goddess, if you prefer), for the bounteous feast spread on your table; to family and friends for being in your life. This “counting of blessings” can be general, as in giving thanks for food, clothing, shelter, a good job, a reliable car; but each person should also name several specific things of value that are considered a goodness/blessing.

Be sure to share the leftovers with your guests. This will ensure prosperity for all in the coming year.

Reminders: Wednesday, September 19, 2007 at 8:30 PM I will be Elaine Ireland’s guest on her on-line live radio talk show “Going Global for Spirit”. To listen, go to www.bbsradio.com. It takes a while to download; please be patient. When you are able, click on option #2 and when it downloads, scroll down to Wednesday listings and click on Elaine Ireland “Going Global for Spirit”. Note the phone numbers to use if you want to call in a comment or question. In the USA: 1-877-270-8714. There is a number listed for Canadian callers, too. The program is an hour and it is sure to be fun. We will be discussing the Fall Equinox.

Body Mind Spirit Expo comes to Palmer Events Center the first weekend in October, Saturday and Sunday, October 6 & 7. Kate will be available in Booth 17 for 15- and 30-minute Tarot consultations.