Solitary Autumn Equinox Ritual
By Dawn "Belladonna" Thomas

For the altar:
1 yellow candle
1 orange candle
An apple
A cup of wine or juice
A small cluster of grapes
Some vine (real or artificial - to honor the Muin Moon cycle)
Fall flowers or fall leaves

Set up your ritual area. Light the candles and arrange the grapes, the vine and flowers or leaves on the altar.

Casting the Circle
Take the apple and hold it in both hands. Feel the wisdom and love of the goddess. She is generous.

"The apple is an ancient symbol of the Goddess with her great knowledge and power of healing. It holds her wisdom and provides a gateway into other realms. Sacred is this space filled with the riches of the Great Mother."

Call the Quarters
"Hail to the Spirits of the East, Element of Air, knowledge, and wisdom. Bless me with your gifts during the season of fall. Please join me tonight."

"Hail to the Spirits of the South, Element of Fire, brighten my days. Bring illumination and passion in many ways. Please join me tonight."

"Hail to the Spirits of the West, Element of Water, come to this circle of mine. Add love, peace, and intuition in this place and time. Please join me tonight."

"Hail to the Spirits of the North, Element of Earth, bestow strength and success. Please join me tonight."

"The circle is cast as above and so below."

Call the Goddess
"The Autumn Equinox is the harvest of fruits and late grains. I ask the goddess of grain, Demeter, the Lady of the Harvest and bountiful earth. Bless me during this autumn season. I also ask Pomona, the goddess of Apples to join me. Please share your sacred orchard with me.

At the autumn equinox a time of equal light and dark hours occurs. Help me to find balance and harmony within. Guide me with your wisdom and remind me to be thankful for all of the blessings that I have in my life.

It is now time to pass from summer into the dark of the year. On this day of the equinox, this day of balance, it is the threshold where light begins to fade. As the nights grow longer, it is a time to cultivate inner wisdom."

Meditation and Giving Thanks
"I raise my chalice in thanksgiving for what the Mother Earth has given me this year."

Think of these questions and answer honestly. What is my personal harvest? What have I brought into manifestation this year? What can I do to honor the generosity of the Earth that sustains me? How might I thank my loved ones and acquaintances who have supported my creativity this year? How can I best acknowledge and celebrate myself for hard work completed this year?


Releasing the Elements
"Spirit of the North, Element of the Earth, thank you for lending your strength and stability this night. Hail and Farewell. Blessed Be."

"Spirit of the West, Element of Water, thank you for blessings me with loving emotions so right. Hail and Farewell. Blessed Be."

"Spirit of the South, Element of Fire, thank you for your passion and illuminating light. Hail and Farewell. Blessed Be."

"Spirit of the East, Element of Air, thank you for the winds of change that swirl within my life. Hail and Farewell. Blessed Be."

Releasing the Goddess
"I thank you Demeter and Pomona for joining me this night. Hail and Farewell. Blessed Be."

Open the Circle
"The circle is open but remains unbroken. 

Blessed be! 

Merry meet, merry part, and merry meet again."