Autumn Equinox: 16th Seasonal Node (September 22 – October 7, 2026)

September 22, 2026 marks the Autumn Equinox, the 16th of the 24 Solar Terms and the fourth of autumn. At this point, the Sun reaches 180° ecliptic longitude.

At the Equinox, day and night are nearly equal. It’s a brief point of balance and a turning point in the season. From here, the nights grow longer and the season invites more reflection and rest.

The Equinox also represents a balance between Yin and Yang. When two opposing forces are in harmony, beauty is created.

Beauty becomes a theme of the Equinox, seen in nature and in the balance we create in our own lives.

What’s Happening in Nature

• Night and day are approximately equal in length

• The Sun rises almost exactly in the east and sets almost exactly in the west, its path centered between its summer and winter positions

• The light of the sun softens, giving afternoons a golden glow

• Some bird species gather, forage and prepare for migration

• Insects become less active

Psycho-Emotional Shifts

Nature shows us that balance creates beauty. Beauty opens the door to love and can be found in a sunset, a tree glowing with color or a kind word. Beauty softens the heart. In those moments, stress melts away and we feel gratitude and joy.

It’s natural to feel more reflective at this time. Creating some quiet in our day can help us feel more grounded and less reactive.

From that quiet place, we can consider what in our lives is out of balance. Are we allowing enough rest alongside activity? Are we giving more than we receive?

Balance doesn't always mean dividing everything equally. It means taking notice of what needs more attention now and what may need less.

Let the beauty of nature at this time inspire more beauty in your own life, in how you care for yourself, in your environment and in the small gestures of kindness you offer others.

Self Care

Autumn can bring especially beautiful sunsets. Pay attention to the sunsets over the next two weeks and spend a few moments soaking in the beauty of dusk.

As autumn settles in, give yourself more time for sleep. Wind down earlier, keep a steady bedtime and take naps if needed.

Try not to get pulled into every reaction. Autumn is a time to steady the mind and conserve your energy.

In class, we’ll continue working with Qi Gong practices that support the Lungs, bring awareness to the breath and strengthen the body’s natural defenses.

Eating with the Season

Chinese dietary therapy recommends avoiding foods considered too warming or too cooling at this time, like very spicy foods or large amounts of raw and chilled foods.

Crab is a traditional food for the Autumn Equinox in China and is considered especially delicious during this season. It’s eaten to clear internal heat and nourish the marrow and bones.

Sesame is another good choice for autumn. Autumn tends to be dry, and sesame is valued for its moistening quality. It’s also easy to use in everyday meals. Sprinkle sesame seeds over vegetables or warm grains, or use tahini in a dressing, sauce or spread.

Closing Reflection

Balance is like breathing. We shift between inhaling and exhaling, each giving way to the other. Life changes, our needs change, and what worked for us a few months ago may not be what we need now. Taking time to notice where we feel stretched, depleted or out of sync is an opportunity to make small adjustments before we move too far out of balance.

Next Seasonal Node: Cold Dew, October 8th through October 22, 2026.