A Fall Equinox Mini Self-Retreat: Autumn Alchemy

The Spiritual Meaning of the Fall Equinox

The Fall Equinox is a moment of perfect balance—day and night standing as equals, light and dark meeting in harmony. Spiritually, it’s a time to pause between seasons, to honor both what we’ve grown and what we’re ready to release. It invites us inward, into the wisdom of slowing down, turning toward gratitude and preparing for the reflective journey of the colder months. The Equinox reminds us that balance is not stillness, but a living, breathing dance between opposing forces.

The Essence of Alchemy

Alchemy, in its spiritual sense, is the sacred art of transformation—the ability to take something ordinary and, through intention and care, turn it into something luminous. It’s the shift of fear into courage, endings into beginnings, heaviness into light. In the season of the Fall Equinox, Alchemy becomes the process of taking the lessons and harvest of the year and transmuting them into wisdom, clarity and inner strength.

Together, the Equinox and Alchemy invite us to stand in that liminal space—to hold both fear and courage, grief and gratitude, light and dark—and discover the beauty and power that emerges when we embrace the whole.

Courage Is Fear Walking

Commit to a 30-day outdoor Walking Meditation for 20 to 30 minutes per day. Here is a list of prompts to reflect on during your daily walking meditation, based on Mindful Money Matters and Liz Carroll.

1. What does your ideal day look like, from the moment you wake to the moment you rest?

2. How do you define success in this season of your life?

3. What does “enough” look like—financially,
emotionally, professionally?

4. What parts of your life feel most aligned with your values?

5. Where in your life do you feel you’re living out of obligation rather than desire?

6. What is your relationship with time? Do you feel rushed, spacious or in control?

7. What is your earliest memory of money, and how has it shaped you?

8. If your money had a voice, what would it be saying to you right now?

9. When do you feel most competent and alive in your work?

10. If you weren’t concerned about job titles, status or income, what would you do professionally?

11. What are your top five values and how do they show up (or not) in your calendar?

12. Who do you feel most yourself around? What qualities make that relationship safe?

13. What does abundance or financial freedom mean to you personally?

14. What would you change in your life if you fully trusted yourself?

15. How do you love yourself?

16. What is your favorite fall soup?  

17. What do you need to declutter?

18. What new workshop, class or course would you like to enroll in?

19. How can you be of service this month or for the rest of the year?

20. What is your positive personal mantra or word for this month?

21. How are you celebrating the Fall Equinox?

22. What does your heart need?

23. What are the five to 10 things you are grateful for today?

24. Who do you need to forgive?

25. What creative project could you do this month?

26. How can you decorate your home
for fall?

27. Have you created your fall self-care schedule (bodywork, yoga classes, functional strength, etc.)?

28. Have you planned your family vacations for the holidays? A friend’s weekend trip?

29. What could you bake for fall?

30. How will you celebrate your accomplishments?

Lisa Faremouth Weber, E-RYT 500 is the founder of Heaven Meets Earth Yoga Community at 2746 Central St., in Evanston. Join her on her next Autumn Alchemy Retreat in Union Pier, Michigan, Nov. 21-23. For more information, visit HeavenMeetsEarthYoga.com. To receive her Yoga of Money Chakra Journey or for spiritual life coaching/yoga therapy, email [email protected].