This year, the autumnal equinox (in Sweden) occurs on September 22 at 2:43 p.m. When this post is written, the climax of the equinox is about 24 hours old.
Within the Golden Dawn tradition, from which the Hermetic Order of the Nascent Aurora originates (via Alpha Omega), a particular importance and emphasis is placed on the Equinoxes. The equinoxes are, for lack of better words, balancing, equalizing and generally beneficial in their most mundane behavior. It is said that the ”flow” of the equinox takes place within 48 hours before the absolute focal point of the equinox and 48 hours afterwards.
It is natural that over the centuries the Order has designed and further developed a special ceremony for this occasion. Something to take with you and pass on through the Egregore of the Order and to its initiates. The very nature and details of this ceremony are of necessity accessible only to the crowd of initiates. Publicly, however, it can be said that the idea is to capture part of the essence of the Equinoxes and let this balanced and redemptive force work within the entire Order and its members.
So what does this text say to a reader who is esoterically interested, but perhaps uninitiated? Maybe not much. But if you take the time to read through more blog posts on this website about the equinoxes in particular, you might get a pretty good idea of what the equinoxes are said to represent on the physical or material level.
Normally, there would now be a text foreshadowing a period of gradually escalating contemplation over the year that has passed since the winter solstice, the spring equinox, the summer solstice and until now and that during this coming and dark period of this year one should meditate in silence on all that one has experienced and learned. An autumnal equinox (waiting for a winter solstice) is often synonymous with a period of reflection. This is so that during the darker and quieter months of the year, one can usurp an understanding and wisdom from the past six months.
This year, 2024, the focus is not only on the ability to be reflective of the past, but also the ability to be mindful of the future. The inspiration for this can be found in the two Greek words Epi-mètheus (reflection of past events) and Pro-mètheus (mindful of things to come). We SHOULD first contemplate what the past half year has given us (Epi-mètheus ) BUT this year the reader, enriched by this lesson, is advised to try to look ahead and see what the future may hold. Maybe there is something that you want to achieve in the coming year. Then it can be a good idea to be thoughtful and start planning for the coming period and make choices in everyday life that help you move towards the goal (Pro-mètheus).
That way we can be more prepared for the coming Winter Solstice and the return of the Sun King. Armed with the contemplation of our past experiences and with a future faith and way forward towards our goals we move closer and closer to a happier life!
With these words, The Hermetic Order of the Nascent Aurora wishes you a fruitful Autumnal Equinox!
Hermetiska Orden av Den Gryende Morgonrodnaden 