Fall Equinox 2025

At Spring Equinox, we can ponder that the virtue of strength is needed for balance, especially strength of character. Now at Fall Equinox, we can ponder the virtue of compassion for balance.

Compassion means to "suffer with," a term we do not discuss much in Pagan theology. However, I contend that one of religion's purposes is to help us suffer. Or attempt to understand our suffering. So how does compassion add to our sense of balance at Fall Equinox?

To be balanced we must think not only of ourselves and our balance, but the balance of others, especially, the balance of nature and our ecological systems. We can also think of those whose lives are unbalanced - the hungry, the homeless, the poor, who suffer everyday as we see our ecological systems suffer under the same forces of neglect, ignorance and greed. By offering our gratitude for what we have, no matter how little or how much, we bring ourselves into the space of compassion for those who have less and for our own choices that may harm the environment.

Compassion for ourselves is us suffering with ourself. For holding a gentle space to hold our own thoughts or actions that require a compassionate gaze. By suffering with ourselves or another, we affirm our shared humanity. All of us may have hurts to heal. All of us want to look upon our selves with compassion so we may move forward to change our situation or our own behaviors that hurt us.

Balance reminds us not to take anything to extremes, to recognize that most questions have at least two answers and possibly more. Nature shows us how a balanced ecosystem is a healthy ecosystem, therefore we know that a balanced human being is a healthy human being. A balanced culture is a healthy culture. A balanced universe is a safe universe. If we stray just a bit off balance, then compassion and gratitude are our guides back to balance. Spring Equinox reminds us that strength of character is required to notice when we are off balance. Fall Equinox reminds us to be compassionate with our selves when we notice.

In the year 2025, everything seems off balance around us. This only intensifies the need to contemplate balance, strength, and compassion in our spiritual lives. At this Fall Equinox, to be balanced and spiritually powerful is our task.