Harnessing the Fall Equinox for Renewed Intention and Goal Setting
The autumnal breeze is setting in in the northern hemisphere here. As I write this there are leaves falling from trees and a chill coming in the open window. We are approaching a special celestial event - the Fall Equinox. This seasonal shift provides a unique opportunity for introspection and setting new intentions as we prepare for the months ahead. I’d like to explore the significance of the Fall Equinox and how you can utilize this transformative time to renew your intentions for the season ahead and set meaningful and personal goals.
Understanding the Fall Equinox: The Fall Equinox marks the moment when day and night are of equal length. It symbolizes the balance between light and darkness. It occurs annually around September 22nd or 23rd in the Northern Hemisphere, heralding the transition from summer to autumn. This celestial event has been celebrated by various cultures throughout history, often associated with harvesting crops and preparing for the colder months.
Embracing Reflection: The Fall Equinox invites us to pause and reflect on the experiences of the past months. This is a natural place to review your achievements, challenges, and personal growth since the summer. Consider what aspects of your life have been serving you well. Also, consider what needs improvement, tweaking, or deconstructing in your life. Embrace this time as a chance to let go of what no longer serves you and make space for new intentions and aspirations.
Setting Renewed Intentions: After you’ve done the work to gain a clearer understanding of your past experiences in the summer, you can now set renewed intentions for the future. What areas of your life do you want to focus on now? Is it your career, relationships, spirituality, personal development, or overall well-being? Is it something more specific like your ability to ask for help? Do you want to make a practice of healing your fight or flight response? What might be helpful here is to identify your core values in this season. Then aging your intentions in accordance with your values. I encourage you to be specific in your intentions, and to focus on the action you will take or embody.
Crafting Meaningful Goals: Once your intentions are defined, it's time to transform them into tangible goals. Break down each intention into smaller, measurable steps that will guide you towards your desired outcome. For example, let’s pretend your intention is to be more rested. A specific goal could be to go to bed before 10pm 4 nights a week. Our goals for ourselves should be both challenging AND achievable. Don’t set yourself up for failure by setting a goal of “every day”. Often this isn’t realistic give the complexity of our lives and doesn’t allow for growth and evolution within the learning that will occur.
Embracing Nature's Wisdom: During the fall season, nature transitions gracefully, shedding its leaves and preparing for a period of rest and renewal. Take inspiration from this natural cycle and apply it to your own life. Just as trees embrace change, allow yourself to let go of what no longer serves you, whether it's unfulfilling habits, negative thought patterns, or limiting beliefs. Embrace the transformative power of the Fall Equinox to make positive changes in your life.
The Fall Equinox provides a powerful opportunity for introspection, intention-setting, and goal creation. It also is a powerful way in which we can stay connected to the natural rhythms of life happening around us. By reflecting on the past and utilizing the energy of this seasonal shift, you can set a strong foundation for personal growth and transformation as we go into the darker, slower months. Embrace the beauty of the changing season and let the Fall Equinox be a catalyst for renewed intention and meaningful goal setting. As you embark on this journey, remember to be kind to yourself, stay open to new possibilities, and embrace the transformative power within you.