There's a moment in September when two different calendars seem to converge. Astronomically, the equinox marks the beginning of autumn in the Northern Hemisphere. In tropical astrology, that same point signifies the Sun's entry into Libra.
This shift usually occurs between September 22nd and 23rd. Astronomical autumn begins in the early morning, Spanish peninsular time, when the center of the Sun crosses the celestial equator in its apparent southward movement.
It's a particularly symbolic coincidence: around the equinox, daylight and darkness are practically equal, and Libra is precisely represented by a balance scale.
Therefore, this time of year can become an invitation to observe our own balance: how much time we dedicate to obligations versus rest, which relationships we are nurturing, or which aspects of our routine need a small readjustment.
What happens during the autumn equinox?
The autumn equinox is a specific astronomical event. The Earth orbits the Sun with its axis tilted. Twice a year, there's a moment when the center of the Sun crosses the celestial equator: once in March and once in September.
The second marks the astronomical beginning of autumn in the Northern Hemisphere and spring in the Southern Hemisphere. In the Northern Hemisphere, the autumn equinox takes place each year around September 22nd or 23rd and marks the astronomical start of this season.
From this time on, daylight hours continue to decrease rapidly. At the latitudes of the Iberian Peninsula, around the beginning of autumn, the time the Sun remains above the horizon decreases by almost three minutes each day. It's a transformation that soon becomes evident: it gets dark earlier, and our routines progressively begin to adapt to the new season.
Do day and night last exactly the same during the equinox?
Although the word equinox itself comes from Latin terms related to "equal" and "night," there's a slight nuance. Day and night do not last exactly twelve hours each.
The National Astronomical Observatory explains that their durations practically coincide around the equinox. The difference is due, among other things, to how we define sunrise and sunset and the refraction of sunlight in the atmosphere.
Therefore, the image of exactly twelve hours of light and twelve of darkness works very well as a symbol, but astronomically it is more accurate to speak of an approximately equal duration.
In September: The Sun enters Libra
The same event has a completely different interpretation within Western tropical astrology. The September equinox marks 0° Libra, so the beginning of this zodiacal season is directly related to the astronomical change of season.
Libra is the seventh sign of the zodiac and is represented by a balance scale. It is traditionally associated with concepts such as:
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Balance
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Harmony
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Justice
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Relationships
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Diplomacy
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Seeking agreements
Precisely for this reason, it's easy to understand why the beginning of Libra and the equinox have acquired such complementary symbolism. While nature reaches that point of transition between seasons, astrology proposes directing our attention towards balance.
Interpretations about personality or the influence of signs belong to astrological tradition and are not scientifically proven. However, we can use them as a symbolic language to ask ourselves questions about our daily lives.
What does the equinox symbolize for Libra?
If we use that symbolism as inspiration, the question doesn't have to be "how will the equinox affect me?" but something much more personal: where do I need to regain balance?
Perhaps you've dedicated too much time to work in recent weeks. Maybe you're neglecting rest. There might be an pending conversation with someone important, or you need to resume an activity that made you feel good.
Balance doesn't mean distributing absolutely everything 50/50. Just as day and night don't last exactly the same during the equinox, our lives don't need to maintain perfect symmetry.
It's more about detecting when one side of the scale is taking up too much space.
From the end of harvest to the equinox: what is Mabon really?
Autumn has historically been associated with harvest in numerous agricultural societies. This makes sense: in the Northern Hemisphere, this period traditionally coincides with the gathering of various crops and preparation for the months ahead.
Currently, we can also find numerous references to Mabon, a Neopagan celebration of the equinox related to harvest, gratitude, and balance. However, it's common to find a statement that needs clarification: Mabon was not the name of an ancient Celtic festival celebrated at the equinox.
The use of the name for this celebration is modern. It was introduced by the Neopagan writer and scholar Aidan Kelly in the 1970s, drawing inspiration from Mabon ap Modron, a character from Welsh mythology.
Over time, the name spread within modern paganism, and many people now celebrate Mabon around the equinox as a time of gratitude for what has been obtained and preparation for the new season.
Therefore, we can speak of Mabon as a modern Neopagan celebration inspired by different traditions and symbolisms related to autumn, but not as an ancient Celtic equinox festival.
A time for reflection
There's a beautiful coincidence among the different ideas surrounding this time: Libra's balance, the transition between light and darkness, and celebrations of gratitude for the harvest.
We can bring these into the present with a very simple exercise:
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Find a sheet of paper and draw two columns: what is giving to me and what is taking from me
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Think about routines, relationships, obligations, and small habits. You don't need to immediately change what appears in the second column. The goal is first to observe where you are putting your time and attention.
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Then choose just one aspect you want to adjust in the coming weeks.
Aromas to accompany Libra season
There is no scientific aroma capable of balancing our energy, nor an incense that objectively corresponds to Libra. But we can choose certain fragrances for their aromatic profile or for the symbolism traditionally attributed to them.
Rose Quartz to represent harmony
A suggestion that fits particularly well with the theme of Libra is AROMA: Premium Crystal Rose Quartz Incense, available at Nivara.
Rose quartz is symbolically associated with concepts such as harmony and emotional well-being, while incense allows you to incorporate the aroma into moments of reflection, reading, or meditation. It can be an interesting option to accompany the previous balance exercise or simply to create a peaceful moment at home.
Sandalwood for a pause
If you prefer woody aromas, you can opt for SREEVANI: Aromatic Manifest Sandalwood Incense. Sandalwood offers a warm and enveloping profile that fits particularly well in spaces dedicated to reading, meditation, or a few minutes of tranquility.
Rather than attributing to it the ability to provide balance, you can use its aroma to mark a pause in your day.
Frankincense for a more ceremonial moment
Frankincense has a long history of use in ceremonial and religious contexts. At Nivara, you can find alternatives like AROMA: Organic Nature Frankincense Incense or BANJARA: Premium Ethnic Frankincense Incense.
Its resinous profile can be a good choice if you want the equinox to be more than just a change of season and wish to set aside a few minutes to reflect on the months ahead.
A small balance ritual for the equinox
You don't need to perform a complex ceremony to leverage the symbolism of this date.
Find a quiet place and choose an aroma you enjoy. Light the incense on a suitable holder and draw a simple balance scale on a piece of paper. It doesn't matter how it looks.
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On one side write: I need more...
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On the other: I need less...
Complete both sides without overthinking. Perhaps you need more rest and fewer screens. More time with certain people and fewer self-imposed obligations. More movement and fewer hours sitting.
When you're done, observe both sides and choose one specific action you can take during the next week.
The goal is not to achieve perfect balance, but to identify a small adjustment that is within your control. And if you want to know what type of incense is most suitable for you and your energy, complete our ritual to find out your ideal aroma.
From the equinox to the rest of autumn
The day the equinox begins only lasts one day, but we don't need to limit this reflection to a specific date. The change of season can serve as a starting point to review our routines for the following weeks.
If you want to explore this approach from a more seasonal perspective, you can continue with our rituals to prepare your energy for autumn with incense, where you'll find different suggestions related to home, meditation, gratitude, and new routines.
In this way, both contents serve different functions: the equinox allows us to explore the symbolism of balance and Libra, while the autumn rituals focus on how to accompany the change of season.
Find your own balance this autumn
You don't have to believe that the stars determine our personality to find the coincidence between Libra and the autumn equinox interesting. September marks a real change in the astronomical calendar: autumn begins. And, within the tropical zodiac, Libra season also begins.
The balance scale can then become a simple image to ask ourselves a question: what part of my life needs a small readjustment? You can accompany this reflection with sandalwood, frankincense, an incense inspired by rose quartz, or simply with the aroma you personally associate with a peaceful moment.
We are not looking to achieve perfect balance. Perhaps the true value of the balance scale lies precisely in observing it from time to time and discovering which way it is leaning.
