The autumnal equinox marks the first day of autumn as summer sunshine gives way to red leaves and rain. This year, the equinox falls on Tuesday, September 22, which is a day when nighttime and daytime are roughly equal. Astronomically, on the day of the equinox, the Sun crosses the celestial equator and the days start to grow shorter.

Spiritually, there is also a lot happening during this time as the ebb and flow of energies shifts with the seasons.

According to Tanaaz of Forever Conscious, as Mother Nature prepares for the cold embrace of winter, so should we prepare to let go.

The spiritual expert said: "Now, as the leaves begin to fall and the weather gets cooler, Mother Nature begins preparing for a type of death, and we too may feel called to let things go.

"We may also feel a need to 'put things on ice' or to release our attachment to taking action and making decisions in order to see where things may flow on their own."

READ MORE:Equinox 2020: What causes the autumn equinox?

The word equinox comes from the Latin for equal night and this is often reflected in astrological forecasts for this time of the year.

Tanaaz said: "Even though our location will determine how we will experience these Equinox energies, on this day, all of us will experience this equality and balance between light and dark energies.

"The scales will be balanced and we will be able to experience the merging of these two energies to the point where we can feel them as one."

Astrologers, in particular, believe tomorrow's equinox is all about balance.

And that could offer a moment of clarity when you become one with yourself, nature, and those around you.

In the Northern Hemisphere, the equinox marks the start of winter while in the south, summer is about to make an appearance.

Many cultures worldwide celebrate this day and the start of a new season, drawing upon its spiritual and symbolic meaning.

The Romans, for instance, held the festival of Pomona, linked to the goddess Persephone in Greek mythology.

DON'T MISS...Zodiac sign: What is my Chinese zodiac sign?[INSIGHT]Star signs changed 2020: What are the new zodiac signs?[REPORT]Scorpio love horoscope 2020: Which sign is compatible with Scorpio?[ANALYSIS]

Neopagans will spend this time celebrating Mabon, the second harvest and the creeping approach of winter.

The equinox is also linked to Japanese beliefs and falls during the Buddhist celebrations of Higan.

Another aspect of the equinox to consider is the longer nights from henceforth - spiritual and physical darkness.

While on the day of the equinox the two are in harmony, moving forward you will have to fight for every bit of sunlight.

This will continue until the day of the summer solstice in chilling December - the first day of winter after which the nights will grow shorter and days longer.

Danu Forest wrote in the 2004 book The Magic of the Autumn Equinox: "During the autumn and spring equinoxes, the Sun rises and sets at the midpoint between its furthest northern and southern positions, marking a seasonal shift between these two extremes.

"The Celts, skilled astronomical observers, noticed these points in the solar year as times of change, tidal shifts in the productivity of the Earth herself, which were of great spiritual and as well as practical significance."

And in Seasons of Witchery: Celebrating the Sabbats with the Garden Witch, author Ellen Dugan wrote: "The autumn equinox is the beginning to our most bewitching time of year, so let the magick of the wonderful season inspire you.

"Tip up your face to the golden autumn sunshine and be motivated by the energies and the sense of balance that is so prevalent at this time of the calendar year."

Excerpt from:

Autumn equinox spiritual meaning: What is the meaning behind the autumnal equinox? - Express