Finding balance in a busy modern world
Rebalancing your nervous system and starting anew in the energy of the Autumn Equinox
I always felt a mix of emotions about going back to school, but there was something special about September that gave me a sense of new beginnings. I remember how excited I'd get shopping for ring binders and coloured erasers!
I begged my Mum for a pair of heeled patent loafers from Dolcis that, despite being the epitome of 90s fashion, ended up making me a target for bullies on my first day back. But still, it was important to me how I presented myself on that day; it felt like a chance for a fresh start, no matter what others thought.
September marks the Autumn Equinox, the end of Summer, and the start of Autumn.
This is very much a “new term” in the cosmic sense. It allows us to reflect on the past seasons and consider how we want to approach the rest of the year.
It's not just about getting a new notebook, but also thinking about how we can take care of ourselves as the days get shorter and darker. It's a time to look in our toolkit; what practices support our well-being and personal growth?
Instead of a new school uniform, we can see this as a chance to recommit to our goals and learn from the past months. It's about taking the good and the challenging moments and using them to guide us forward or make space for something new.
This season offers us the chance to reconnect with our values and make intentional decisions about how we want to move forward. It's a time for tapping into our feelings and taking a heart-centred approach to the rest of the year.
What is the meaning behind the Autumn Equinox?
An Equinox is an astrological event when the Sun crosses the “celestial equator”—an imaginary extension of Earth’s equator line into space. The Equinox occurs precisely when the Sun’s centre passes through this line, meaning that both day and night are roughly equal in length across the northern and southern hemispheres.
The word “Equinox” comes from the Latin aequus, meaning “equal,” and nox, ”night”.
After the autumnal equinox, days become shorter than nights as the Sun continues to rise later and nightfall arrives earlier. This ends with the Winter Solstice (21st December) after which days start to grow longer once again. It’s when plants and trees are slowing down as sunlight decreases to prepare for the colder season.
This is a reminder, that we are in a constant state of change, a cycle of seasons both inner and outer. We too are being called to slow down and turn inward but how we choose to do that nowadays is somewhat confusing in today’s hectic modern world.
Although at an Equinox day and night, light and dark are almost equal this is not an invitation to strive for balance but instead appreciating that balance is always shifting. Think of Libra’s scales; Where can you find a sense of flow in your daily life, no matter how small?
The Autumn Equinox falls on the 22nd of September this year and arrives just after the Full Moon on the 18th of September. This waning moon (retreating) phase is a signal to release and let go of what's holding you back including the inner stories you tell yourself.
In the approach to our retreat on 14th September, the moon will be ripe and bright in its waxing phase, building energy to fullness. This is the perfect time to reflect and dream acknowledging all you have been through, what you desire, and recognising what is creating resistance in your life. The reflective and restorative practices I’ll share on our retreat will help you value and visualise all this and prepare you for releasing the power of resistance over the full moon.
I see this time of year as an invitation to embrace the darker nights and slow down, not something many of us find easy to do. It’s a chance to honour the parts of yourself that feel a deep desire to hibernate and the aspects of yourself that might feel darker or more shadowy.
This is about recognising that without darkness there is no need for light. We all have our darker days, maybe you are in one now. Honour your feelings with self-compassion, rest, and allow space for the light to seep in.
Prompts for Autumn Equinox…
How are you being called to slow down as we begin to move through the end of Summer? Look out for signals relating to your work, social life or how you approach your goals, perhaps your body feels achy, or your mind is scrambled. These can be nudges to slow down and tune in.
What isn’t feeling good for you right now, or has felt clunky and challenging over the past few months?
What are you being shown by this experience that needs to be released and where is this resistance coming from?
What does self-care look like for you right now, and what changes do you want to make to support your well-being and personal growth through the Autumn season?
What are you quietly or outwardly frickin’ proud of?
As you reflect on all this, how have your values shifted, and what matters to you deeply right now?
What are you feeling disappointed about that you previously set out to achieve, and does this still resonate as something you want?
Finding balance in the busyness of life.
Rest is not an act of rebellion; it's a fundamental human right and necessity! It is SO important to recognise that being perpetually active is unrealistic.
Rest means respecting the fact you can’t be ON all the time, and your resilience to stress and busyness doesn’t need to be worn like a badge of honour.
For me, the Autumn Equinox holds personal significance, and it's a time for me to recharge and take a moment to explore new ways of connecting with myself and others. The Equinox creates a sense of balance in the world and presents a beautiful opportunity for reflection, finding focus, and renewing our intentions.
Balance can be fleeting however it's never been more important to find our anchor in our busy modern world. The next retreat is designed to soothe a worn-out nervous system and rebalance your body through stretching, breathing, relaxation, and movement.
I invite you to step away from the “doing” and give yourself permission to pause…
During this retreat, my intention is to encourage whole-body well-being, help you release emotional and physical tension, and invite lightness and softness into your life.
We'll focus on calming your worn-out nervous system by creating a restful and reflective experience and exploring somatic breath, movement, and meditation.
Our meditation session is designed to be a calming dreamscape for creative focus, blending gentle rhythmic breathing, mindfulness, and aspirational visualisation to uplift and inspire you.
Is Dreamscape calling you?
Join us on Saturday 14th September, London N16 for a day dedicated to YOU. Book your space here and I look forward to meeting you there!
Big love,
Becki