Autumn as a Hedgewitch’s Season

Autumn has always been my favourite season. There is something in the shift of light, the deepening of colours, and the scent of damp earth that stirs both heart and spirit. The hedgerows grow heavy with berries, and the balance of day and night begins to turn. As a hedgewitch, I see this season not only as a time of beauty but also as a reminder to live more closely with the cycles of nature.

The Autumn Equinox and Celtic Traditions

The autumn equinox falls around the 22nd–23rd of September, the moment when day and night stand in equal length before the darkness of winter begins its slow return. For the ancient Celts, this was a turning point in the agricultural year. Though we cannot know their exact rituals, harvest was a central gathering of grain, fruits, and vegetables, not just for food, but for survival through the colder months.

Some Celtic tales speak of this balance between light and dark. The Irish story of the god Lugh, for example, links harvest with the sacrifice of his foster mother Tailtiu, who is said to have died clearing the land for crops, and festivals were held in her honour at Lughnasadh. While the equinox itself is less directly recorded, the themes of giving thanks, honouring the land, and recognising the turning of the year run throughout Celtic tradition.

Folklore of Blackberries and Fairies

In English folklore, blackberries mark the season’s shift. Some tales caution against picking late-season berries because they belonged to the fair folk and were best left untouched. To gather them carelessly was to risk insult or misfortune.

These warnings reminded people to respect seasonal boundaries and to acknowledge that not everything in the hedgerows is ours to claim.

In other tales, blackberries were believed to be safe to pick only until the 29th of September. After this date, it was said that the Devil himself had spat, trampled or peed upon them, making them bitter and unfit to eat.

I think there are two takeaways from these stories berries left too long will rot, but leave some for the fairies!

Sticking with fairies for a moment, in certain strands of folklore, September 29th is believed to be the day when the doors to the fairy realm opened. Gwynn ap Nudd, often named in Welsh legend as the Lord of Faerie, was said to hold the keys to these hidden realms. For one brief moment, mortals might glimpse what lay beyond, though the stories always warned to return before the gates closed or risk being trapped among the fae forever! However, this appears to be a modern invention rather than being based on any known myths about Gwynn ap Nudd, but it’s always good to be cautious, as you never know!

Living with the Season

Preparing for autumn is both practical and spiritual. Birds, hedgehogs, and squirrels are busy now, gathering food and strength for the cold. Leaving wild corners in the garden and filling feeders helps birds thrive. It keeps the fairyfolk happy, too.

Autumn also calls us to let go. As trees shed their leaves, we too are invited to release what no longer serves us. This can be as simple as decluttering a drawer, letting go of an old habit, or acknowledging a burden you no longer wish to carry. Reflection comes naturally as the nights lengthen journaling, dusk walks, or quiet moments at the hearth all help us align with the inward turn of the year.

Ritual for the Turning Season

A simple ritual can honour this change. Gather a few items that speak of autumn: a fallen leaf, a berry, an apple, or a branch. Arrange them on a small cloth to create a seasonal altar. Light a candle to mark the balance of day and night, and take time to speak aloud three things you are thankful for and three things you are ready to release. When you are finished, return something to nature — a piece of bread for the birds or a little water for the soil ,as a gesture of thanks.

Food as Offering and Connection

Cooking with autumn produce is another way to embody the season. Apples, pears, root vegetables, and squashes carry the spirit of the harvest. Preparing a stew, roasting roots, or baking apples is both nourishment and ritual. Eating what the land provides at this time of year is a way of honouring its cycles.

Closing Thoughts

Autumn teaches that change is natural and beautiful. It asks us to seek balance, to prepare, to give thanks, and to release. The folklore of berries and apples reminds us that the season carries both gifts and boundaries, and that some things belong to the unseen. For me, the colours of autumn are not only beautiful, they are alive with meaning. May your autumn be rich with gratitude, reflection, and the quiet magic of turning leaves.

Celtic Cauldron: Rituals for self-care and manifestation by Nicola McIntosh

I highly recommend reading any of the Pagan Portal Books. There are so many topics. I will slowly list the ones I have read.