A quick scroll through any social media platform demonstrates that fall is almost universally regarded as everyone’s favorite season.
However, while the desire to put up Halloween decorations and consume all things pumpkin spice in honor of autumn may strike as soon as Labor Day weekend arrives, the planets tell a different story. The season of fiery-hued leaves and snuggling up in your coziest hoodie begins each year on the autumn equinox, when the sun is exactly above the equator and the day is as long as the night.
The autumn equinox in the Northern Hemisphere is a time for self-reflection and spiritual awareness as a seasonal and astrological transitional moment. It also coincides with the start of Libra season, which occurs annually from about September 23 to October 23.
This period is characterized by an increased desire to connect one-on-one and celebrate partnerships (whether romantic, platonic, or professional), to bring more balance and beauty into your daily life, and to be more of a social butterfly — however that may look for you.
Here’s everything you need to know about the fall equinox in 2023, its spiritual significance, and what it means for each zodiac sign.
When Is the Autumn Equinox in 2023?
The exact date of the autumn equinox varies because the sun’s movements change from year to year. It will happen on Saturday, September 23, 2023, at 2:50 a.m. ET or 8:50 a.m. CET. Not only will the sun be exactly over the equator at that time, but it will also pass from mutable earth sign Virgo to cardinal air sign Libra.
The Significance of the Autumn Equinox
The autumn equinox is one of four major transitional points in the year when we transition from one season to the next. With summer in the rearview mirror and winter just around the corner, the equinox officially kicks off fall. It has also traditionally marked the start of the harvest season in the Northern hemisphere, when we gather crops to prepare for the more barren land that frost brings.
The Spiritual Meaning of the Autumn Equinox
The start of each season provides us with a blank slate to project our vision for the next three months, and autumn, with its cooler, darker days, feels like an especially auspicious time to do so. Harvest-related time periods are bound to be culturally mirrored. It’s a time of year when we reap the benefits of our previous months’ efforts, gain clarity about preserving the things we want to keep close, and allow aspects of our lives that aren’t serving us any longer — whether unhealthy habits or problematic bonds — to fall away before the year ends.
The occasion has also sparked a number of spiritual celebrations around the world. In the United Kingdom, the traditional harvest festival is held on the Sunday closest to the equinox, and druids gather at Stonehenge to commemorate the occasion. And Ohigan, a traditional Buddhist custom, is based on the belief that the land of the afterlife is due west, and that during the equinox, the sun sets directly west, so people visit the graves of their dearly departed loved ones and gather with family.
The autumn equinox marks the transition from the cerebral, health-conscious Virgo season (which encourages you to put your head down and focus on the details in order to be of service to others and yourself) to the harmony-seeking Libra season (which increases your appetite for socializing and a desire to avoid conflict and bring more beauty and balance into your daily life). It stands to reason that autumn inspires us to spend more time with our loved ones, improve the aesthetic appeal of our spaces, and begin planning more get-togethers and celebrations for the rest of the year.
In 2023, the equinox occurs just days after Mercury, the planet of communication, completes its third retrograde of the year, providing a green light to restart collaborative projects, planning, and connecting with others. This year, Libra season includes one of the most game-changing lunar moments: a solar eclipse and new moon in the sign of the Scales on October 14, which will prompt you to consider how you relate to others, show up in your closest relationships, and find more balance in life.
What the Autumn Equinox Means For the Zodiac Signs
The sun enters Libra on the day of the autumn equinox. The sun’s transit through the sign of the Scales will encourage self-reflection and communication about Venusian topics like partnership, values, and beauty, and may even spark eye-opening realizations and game-changing heart-to-hearts. Every sign predicts what the autumn equinox will bring.
Aries (March 20-April 19)
Because the sun is beginning its journey through your seventh house of partnership, the fall equinox focuses your attention on romantic relationships as well as one-on-one bonds with friends, colleagues, and loved ones. You might be inspired to have a long-overdue conversation with someone close to you about the state of your relationship and reciprocity issues.
Taurus (April 20-May 20)
The sun enters your sixth house of daily routine and wellness on the autumn equinox, and you’ll get the sense that it’s time to get a little more detail oriented with your health routine. You may be inspired to conduct research or have lively discussions with friends or loved ones about how to best care for yourself on a daily basis for the rest of the season.
Gemini (May 21-June 20)
The sun’s entry into Libra and the autumn equinox illuminate your fifth house of romance and self-expression, stimulating your creativity and desire to begin an emotionally charged artistic project or to take a break from work to spend more time with friends and loved ones. You’ll be more introspective and self-aware, which will only strengthen your bonds.
Cancer (June 21-July 22)
The autumn equinox and the start of the sun’s journey through your fourth house of home life can make you feel even more at home than usual. Exploring deep-seated emotions and embracing the process of healing old wounds as a form of self-care can be extremely beneficial for you now and throughout the rest of the year. You can come out of your shell and share what’s on your heart with loved ones during this transitional period.
Leo (July 23-August 22)
Your curiosity and desire to connect soar as your ruler, the sun, moves from your second house of income to your third house of communication. You’ve probably had your nose to the grindstone on moneymaking endeavors, but as the fall equinox approaches and the sun enters the sign of the Scales, you’ll want to set the books aside to hear what friends and colleagues have to say. Brainstorming sessions can be extremely beneficial.
Virgo (August 23-September 22)
As the sun moves out of your sign and into Libra, and we celebrate the autumn equinox, your focus shifts from personal goals and how you present yourself in the world to what you value and how that relates to earning. Setting aside time to process your thoughts and feelings (perhaps through journaling) during the sun’s time in the sign of the Scales — which lights up your second house of income — can help you identify and plot your money moves.
Libra (September 23-October 22)
As the fall equinox approaches, the sun enters your sign, and the season of the Scales — your birthday season! — begins. As a result, you’ll be more aware of how you present yourself to others and more in tune with the big-picture passion projects you want to devote your energy to. You will be able to articulate your goals more intuitively.
Scorpio (October 23-November 21)
Prioritize a bit more solo time, tuning into your dreams, and working through emotions that have you restless on the day of the fall equinox, when the sun moves into Libra and your 12th house of spirituality. This may be a sleepy time, but the seeds you plant now will help you succeed when we enter your season a month from now.
Sagittarius (November 22-December 21)
The fall equinox and the sun’s entry into Libra activate your 11th house of networking, motivating you to be an even better team player than usual. Collaborative efforts with friends and colleagues are both intellectually and emotionally stimulating. You can easily resume work on a previously postponed project or hold a productive team meeting that will lay the groundwork for a rewarding group effort.
Capricorn (December 22-January 19)
The fall equinox will energize you even more as the sun moves into your 10th house of career. You desire professional recognition and are willing to step into the spotlight or assume more responsibility if necessary. However, because Libra is more interested in hearing all sides of an issue and investing in socializing than industriousness and moving the ball forward to achieve practical goals, embrace patience and lean into your Sea Goat MO.
Aquarius (January 20-February 18)
Though you’re a creature of habit in general, this season was made for change — especially for you. Because the fall equinox occurs when the sun enters your ninth house of adventure and higher learning, it fuels your desire to get out of your comfort zone. You may feel compelled to prioritize activities that are both spiritually and emotionally satisfying, as well as horizon-expanding.
Pisces (February 19-March 20)
Because the fall equinox coincides with the sun’s entry into your eighth house of intimate bonds and shared resources, you’ll feel compelled to open up to loved ones about what you need to feel safe — emotionally and financially. Fortunately, you’ll feel empowered to express what’s on your mind in empowering words. Prioritizing your mental health, especially in your closest relationships, is essential.
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