Autumn (Fall) Equinox (Symbolism, Mythology and Mysticism)

"For everything there is a season,
and a time for every purpose under heaven."
- Ecclesiastes 3:1

The word Equinox comes from two root words: aequus (equi) which
means "equal" and nox or noct which means "night". Therefore the
word Equinox means "equal night". It is the time of the year when
there is a perfect balance between day and night; between the Sun
and the Moon; between the celestial Silver and Gold.

Furthermore, the Autumn and Spring Equinox is the "tipping point"
of earth's annual Cycle when either the the Moon overcomes and
begins to outdistance the Sun, or when the Sun overcomes and
begins to outdistance the Moon.

Ancient temples and sacred monuments were built with three
windows facing to the East. The left, or northern-most window, let
in the rays of the rising Sun on the day of the Summer Solstice:
the day when the Sun reached its northern-most point in the
Constellation (tropic) of Cancer. The middle window let in the rays
of the rising Sun on the day of the Spring and Autumn Equinox.
The right, or southern-most window, let in the rays of the rising
Sun on the day of the Winter Solstice: the day when the Sun
reached its southern-most point in the Constellation (tropic) of
Capricorn.

In the northern hemisphere, the Autumn Equinox is that moment
of the year when the Moon, which has been pursuing the Sun for
the six months since the Spring or Vernal Equinox, has finally
caught up to the Sun and will now begin to out-distance the Sun
and rule the heavens for the next half year until the Sun once
again catches up to, and begins to outdistance, the Moon at the
Spring Equinox.

Mythologically, this is the celestial dance, the annual heavenly
pursuit, which takes place between the Sun and the Moon;
between darkness and light; between the feminine and the
masculine; between the Silver and Gold.

From the Autumn Equinox forward the Sun's Seeds (its solar rays)
begin to lose their power as the darkness of the lunar-ruled sky
cools the surface of the earth. It is the time when leaves change
color, fall from the trees, and blanket the earth. It is the time when
Mother Earth begins Her annual slumber...Her "long winter's nap".

Mythologically, the Autumn Equinox is the time when Persephone
bids adieu to her mother Demeter on earth, takes her Pomegranate
(which contains all of earth's fertile seasonal Seeds) below ground,
and spends the next six months with her husband in Hades.

The Autumn Equinox is the Time of the year when many plants
and animals begin taking shelter below the surface of the earth
while they await the warming of Spring in the womb of Mother
Earth.

This is also the time of year when the animal life which depends
on nature's nutrients either go into hibernation or seek out warmer
climates.

One of the Hermetic truisms is " As above so below, as below so
above". Therefore, metaphorically, this seasonal dance between the
Sun and the Moon reminds us that there is a time for activity and a
time for rest; a time for concentration and a time for meditation; a
time to pursue and a time to relax. For whether or not we are
aware of it, or want to accept it, we are all children of the universe
and part of the Great Cosmic Dance.

Comments and Emails: I welcome comments and emails from
people with similar thoughts and feelings. My Email address is
located in the upper-left area of this page. Comments can be
posted by using the "Comment" link located below each article.
Also: If you found value in this article please feel free to forward
it to other like-minded individuals, organizations and sites.

Disclaimer: None of my articles should be considered to be
either advice or expertise. They are simply personal opinions
and no more. Everyone is encouraged to seek competent
advice from a licensed, registered, or certified professional
should such advice or service be required.

© copyright Joseph Panek 2012

The Pomegranate - Symbol and Myth

The Pomegranate is a fruit that has a hard outer shell within which
there is a multitude of small tasty Seeds. The Pomegranate appears
often in Symbolism and Mythology. Because this fruit contains an
enormous amount of Seeds, it is regarded as a Symbol of fertility,
prosperity, Abundance and generosity.

In mythology, the Pomegranate is a featured symbol in the
Abduction of Persephone.

One day, when Persephone was wandering about the earth she was
noticed by Hades, Lord of the Underworld, who instantly fell in love
with her. Hades abducted Persephone and took her to his domain in
the underworld to live with him as his wife and queen.

Demeter, Persephone's mother, upon noticing that her daughter
had been abducted by Hades immediately caused all plants to
stop growing upon the face of the earth. Trees, flowers, fruits,
vegetables and grains all ceased to grow.

Demeter then filed a grievance with Zeus, regarding the abduction
of her daughter by Hades, in which she informed Zeus that she
would not allow any growth to occur on earth until Persephone
was returned to her.

Although Zeus was not interested in becoming involved with the
affairs of other gods and goddesses, he also realized that he could
not allow the earth to remain cold and barren for this would mean
the end of all life on the planet.

Zeus eventually mediated an agreement between Demeter and
Hades in which Persephone would spend half of the year on earth
and the other half of the year in the underworld. Demeter consented
to this agreement and for the half of the year in which Persephone
walked upon the earth Demeter allowed the plants to grow, blossom
and bear fruit. For the six months that Persephone spent in the
underworld Demeter caused all growth to go dormant.

This agreement between Demeter, Zeus and Hades enabled
Persephone to be the only other being, mortal or immortal, besides
Hermes (Mercury) and Hades himself, who was permitted to leave
the underworld after having entered its confines.

An interesting point to consider in this particular myth is the fact
that when Persephone is portrayed with her husband, Hades, in
the underworld she is not depicted as someone who has been
abducted and held prisoner against her will. Her countenance is
that of a contented woman who is both wife and queen to her
beloved husband.

We also notice that Persephone is often portrayed holding a
Pomegranate in her hand. Since the Pomegranate is the Symbol
of fertility and Abundance this reminds us that when Persephone
arrives upon the earth, in the springtime, she brings with her all
the Seeds of fertility, prosperity, and Abundance. This is the time
when the earth is in full bloom and life rejoices. In autumn, when
she returns to her husband and her Queendom in the underworld,
she takes the Pomegranate with her. During this time of the year
the earth goes dormant...it sleeps...it rests.

The tale of Persephone and the Pomegranate is a metaphor for the
continual cycle of growth, dormancy and re-growth which governs
all things in the physical realm.

This myth also reminds us that when Persephone returns to the
underworld, and the world goes dormant, the Seeds of growth,
fertility and Abundance do not vanish from the world forever. They
are kept eternally warm and protected deep within the womb of
Mother Earth and await the next annual earthly visit of Persephone
and the Cycle of Abundance, growth and prosperity which she, and
her fertile Pomegranate, brings to us.

Comments and Emails: I welcome comments and emails from
people with similar thoughts and feelings. My email address is
located in the upper-left area of this page. Comments can be
posted by using the "Comment" link located below each article.
Also: If you found value in this article please feel free to forward
it to other like-minded individuals, organizations and sites.

Disclaimer: None of my articles should be considered to be
either advice or expertise. They are simply personal opinions
and no more. Everyone is encouraged to seek competent
advice from a licensed, registered, or certified professional
should such advice or service be required.

© copyright Joseph Panek 2009