Autumnal Magic: Incorporating Autumn Energy Into Magical Workings
Autumn arrives. The days grow shorter and the air cools. There is a tangible change in the energy around us. The electric buzz of summer gives way to the warm, earthy tones of autumn, and the natural world undergoes a transformation. For practitioners of magic, this transition is more than just a change in weather. It can also be a potent and magical time to embrace the seasonal changes and harness their energy in our practice.
AUTUMN AS A TIME OF BALANCE
In an official sense, autumn begins with the Autumnal Equinox, usually occurring around September 21st or 22nd in the Northern Hemisphere. This day and the season that it kicks off both hold immense significance within many of the spiritual and magical traditions that make up our diverse community. The equinox itself serves as a moment of balance when day and night are of equal length before the nights grow longer and the darkness deepens. For the rest of the season, the ever-dimming light facilitates a strengthening connection between the realms of the living and the dead, opening the doors for spirits and humans to communicate more effectively.
In many witchcraft traditions, the autumnal season is celebrated both as a time to express gratitude for the harvest and as a time to acknowledge the balance of light and dark within ourselves. Situated just before the year’s end, it is a time for introspection and reflection, a moment to assess our goals and harvest the lessons learned from the months passed.
Journal Prompt: Assessing Your Harvest
As we move through the autumn season and reflect on the harvests of the year, take a moment to reflect on the lessons you've learned and the changes you've embraced in your practice and in your life. Consider the following questions and write down your thoughts:
1. What were the most significant lessons you learned this year in your witchcraft practice? How did they impact your Witch’s Journey?
2. Reflect on any challenges or obstacles you faced in your path. How did you overcome them, and what did you learn from these experiences?
3. Think about the rituals, spells, or magical practices you experimented with so far this year. Which ones resonated with you the most, and why?
4. Have there been any unexpected or synchronistic moments in your magical journey this year? How did they influence your beliefs or practices?
5. Consider the changes you've made in your daily life to accommodate your magical path. Are there new habits, perspectives, or relationships that have evolved?
6. Have you connected with any specific deities, spirits, or guides during the year? What wisdom or guidance have they shared with you?
7. Reflect on your connection to nature and the changing seasons. How have you deepened your relationship with the natural world throughout the year? How does this impact your magical practice, if at all?
8. Think about your personal growth and self-discovery. How have your magical practices contributed to your overall well-being and personal development? What changes can you make in your magical practice and routines to better facilitate personal well-being and growth?
9. Are there any intentions or goals you set at the beginning of the year that you'd like to revisit? How have they evolved or manifested over time?
10. In the coming months, what areas of your practice or life do you hope to explore, refine, or transform as you continue on your magical journey?
Your journal is personal, a sacred space for self-reflection and growth. This is a prompt for reflection; not an assignment for a grade. Take your time with these questions, and allow your thoughts and insights to flow freely onto the pages. It's through this introspection that journaling serves as a tool to continue assessing, evolving and deepening our connection to the magical craft.
Connecting with the Seasonal Energies
Many practitioners of magic draw inspiration for their practice from the natural world, and autumn provides a rich tapestry of symbolism and energy for us to work with. Here are some ways you can connect with the magical themes of autumn:
1. Seasonal Harvest Artefacts: Utilize seasonal fruits, vegetables, and herbs within your spells and rituals. Apples can be powerful allies for divination, as well as in spells for happiness, love and abundance. Pumpkins can be utilized in protective magics. Acorns can be a symbol of growth, wealth and strength. Use cozy autumn spices in the creation of magical scents and oils. As you dry your summer herb harvest, utilize preserved herbs in magical teas, blends and sachets.
2. Nature Walks: Take leisurely walks in the woods or through parks to soak in the changing scenery. Pay attention to the falling leaves, the scent of the earth, and the crispness of the air. Use these sensory experiences to deepen your connection to the season.
3. Evening Candle Magic: The shorter days of autumn make it an ideal time for candle magic. Use candles in shades of orange, red, and brown to represent the season's colors. Light them during your rituals to help set the atmosphere and to tap into the warmth and transformative energy of fire.
4. Divination: The thinning of the veil between the worlds begins in autumn, making it an excellent time for divination practices. Tarot readings, scrying, and dream work can be especially potent during this season. Spirit work can also come more easily to beginners at this time of year.
5. Seasonal Altars: Not every witch keeps an altar—but many who do find power in changing it throughout the seasons. Create a dedicated autumnal altar space in your home. Decorate it with leaves, pinecones, and symbols of the season. Focus it on reflection and spellwork that is meant to harvest happiness, reap abundance, and strengthen your connection to the Spirit Realm. Additionally, you may feel inspired by the autumnal themes of death and remembrance. If so, consider creating a space for remembering your ancestors. Remember that our ancestors are more than just our blood. In addition to grandmothers and great-grandfathers, an ancestral altar can also be a place to celebrate our chosen family, spiritual ancestors, and cultural heroes.
Embrace the Change, Embrace the Magic
The autumn season reminds us of the impermanence of life and the cyclical nature of the Universe. Just as the trees shed their leaves, we too can see this as a time to release what no longer serves us. Embrace the changing seasons as an opportunity for personal growth, transformation, and magical exploration.
For many witches and practitioners of magic, it is important to attune ourselves to the rhythms of nature. Autumn invites us to slow down, savor the beauty of transition, and embrace the magic that surrounds us. Whether you're observing the equinox, celebrating Samhain, or simply enjoying the enchantment of autumn, remember that every season offers its unique gifts and lessons.
So, step outside (or open the windows), cozy up next to a fire, and let the magic of fall infuse your spirit. As we work to enrich our lives with magic, we can carry the inspiration, balance, and enchantment that we find this autumn into every season.
Johanna (she/her) | Johanna is one of Crowsbone’s staff writers. She is a Cottage Witch that specializes in hearts & home-centered magic, herbalism and divination. She has been studying and practicing magic since middle school. Her non-magical interests include slightly smutty fantasy literature, hiking, and spending time with her two cats.