Equinox, as I said for the segment of the Spring Equinox, earlier, means equalisation, a 50/50 balancing of two opposite and equal aspects. And, at this time of year, that balance lies between the Sun and the Moon, Summer and Winter.

At the end of September the seasons have changed to the point at which it is definitely getting colder. The rain is coming, the trees are slowly burning with the beginnings of rich Autumn colour and Summer is well and truly over. The days, however, are still bright and crisp, often brilliantly sunny and clear, even though the air has become cooler. It is a time when the battle between Summer and Winter is about to be lost and the land begins its winding down.

"The trees are slowly burning with the beginnings of rich Autumn colour"

For Pagans this time is commonly known as 'Mabon' and marks the transition, for the Sun God, into a state of suspension and 'death'. He has reached his peak in July, fallen from his throne in August and, in Autumn, descends into a realm we call the Shadow Lands, or the Summerland. These stages of his rise and descent are the basis for many forms of ancient Pagan worship and can be most clearly seen in the Druidic form, mainly followed by men. There is a great deal of symbolism involved with this 'journey' which is very important since it demonstrates the cycle of birth, growth, maturity, decay, death and re-birth.

The Goddess in this sequence takes on a far more prominent role at this time, though. As the Sun's influence over the world declines the Moon's light and energy become more dominant. The Goddess, in her aspect as both grieving consort and also pregnant Earth Mother, must now stand by and watch the old God slip into the other world and take his place in the cycle. She is the bringer of life and the child she carries now will, come the Spring, be the next incarnation of the Sun God. The Goddess' cycle is turning here too. She began her journey as the maiden, the May Queen, and then becomes the Goddess of fertility and Motherhood, then transforms into the wise woman, teaching and guiding the next generation. At this time of year her aspect is bright and clear but she has lost her partner and must stand alone in the night skies, holding life, dormant and sleeping, within.

I always look to the trees for my inspiration at this time of the year. Oak trees in particular - which are very significant in Pagan lore - demonstrate this cycle. It is a common analogy that the God is represented by the Oak tree and his rival, the Holly God, will challenge and fight him later in the year to take his place as King of the Woodlands. I like this story and the idea that all life can be played out simply by seeing how the trees seem to live and die and then, almost magically, it seemed to me as a boy, to live again.

John's Autumn Equinox altar at home

But, to see the full cycle at work you must also consider the acorn. Grown to maturity on the tree's branches until the first gusts of Autumn, these 'seedlings' then fall and are thrown to the Earth (the Goddess) where, over the Winter, they lay dormant in her Universal womb, only to be warmed by the Sun's light and then to be born back into the world as young oak saplings. If you look carefully at such trees you will see that very little grows beneath a large Oak, the shade prevents it. But, not far away, there are usually the signs of new growth and Oaks also tend to thrive near water or on exposed land where the wind is strongest in Autumn. This is because their acorns need to be swept away from the 'father tree' and rolling down embankments or falling into the river ensures this process. The new tree can only grow at a distance from the old.

This process, as I see it, is all to do with the Earth Goddess. Her task, with wind, rain and the nutrients in her soil - as well as a little help from the squirrels! - is to encourage the seed to find the best place to take root, to nourish and protect it until it is strong enough to break through the Earth and be 'born' back into the world. In many ways this period is about to happen in Autumn. The male aspect of life is about to go into suspension, but will not die completely. It will be held in this state until the conditions for its rebirth are just right. And, we must remember, the acorn is only a part of the Oak which has broken away in order for the tree to extend itself.