The Autumn Equinox: Navigating the Seasonal Shift with Essential Oils
As the Autumn Equinox arrives on 23 September, we step into a moment of perfect balance, equal day and night, before nature gently guides us toward a slower, more restorative season.
We leave behind the summer sun and focus on the autumn shift. For many, this coincides with a return to schedules and routines, especially around family and school commitments. This period can offer you an opportunity to slow down, stabilise routines, and nourish your body ahead of the winter.
Mindful Practices for the Autumn Transition
Why not explore some of these mindful moments:
· Morning breathwork or a 5‑minute grounding meditation.
· Barefoot contact with the earth, or mindful walking as leaves begin to fall.
· A “seasonal reset” moment: clearing clutter, refreshing workspaces, and adjusting daily rhythms.
Adding essential oils into these practices enhances the whole experience.
3 Essential Oils to Add to Your Autumn Routine
Let’s take a look at three essential oils to support your Autumn routine:
Cedarwood Himalayan (Cedrus deodara)
Cedarwood Himalayan has a warm, woody aroma that helps settle the mind. Its grounding quality is one of its signature strengths. Cedarwood Himalayan has a unique set of compounds called Himachalenes, which contribute to its ability to calm and ground you. It can be used in a diffuser, inhaled, or added to a blending oil.
Use Himalayan Cedarwood for:
- Stress and mental tension
- Supporting meditation or mindfulness
- Promoting emotional balance
Frankincense (Boswellia carterii)
Frankincense has a warm and resinous aroma and a deep, woody scent. Like Cedarwood, it calms and restores you, especially in times of transition. Its naturally occurring Sesquiterpenes slow the breath, soothe tension, and encourage a meditative state. Frankincense can also be used as a skin nourisher; added to a blending oil, it will moisturise your skin ahead of the cooler months. It can be used in a diffuser, inhaled, or added to a blending oil
Use Frankincense for:
- Supporting meditation or mindfulness
- Promoting emotional balance
- Nourishing the skin
Bergamot (Citrus bergamia)
Sweet and citrus with a gentle ‘green’ dry note, Bergamot feels more mellow than other citrus oils. One inhale brings a sense of calm optimism, thanks to its naturally uplifting aromatic compounds. Limonene brightens the mood, linalyl acetate soothes emotional stress, and linalool helps ease tension and support equilibrium. Together, these constituents create Bergamot’s signature effect: a gentle uplift, a soft release of stress, and a lift of energy. It can be used in a diffuser, inhaled, or added to a blending oil.
Use Bergamot for:
- Emotional uplift
- Stress release
- A gentle lift of energy
Recipes & Rituals for Autumn
Why not try the following blends and ideas to complement a grounding morning ritual or an evening wind down:
Morning Grounding Ritual
Try the following to start your day:
To 20 ml of blending oil, add:
- 3 drops of Cedarwood Himalayan (Cedrus deodar)
- 3 drops of Frankincense (Boswellia carterii)
- 4 drops of Bergamot (Citrus bergamia)
Note: This amount will last for several applications.
The Ritual
- Sit comfortably, either on a chair with your feet planted on the ground, or cross‑legged on the floor.
- Take a small amount of your blend into your palms and gently rub them together to warm the oils.
- Bring your hands toward your face, close enough to catch the aroma, but without touching your skin.
- Take a slow, steady inhale. Let this be the moment you set your intentions for the day with a relaxed, centred mind
- When you’re ready, massage the remaining blend into your hands and arms. Move into your morning feeling grounded, steady, and in control.
Evening Sanctuary Ritual
Try the following to close your day:
To 20 ml of blending oil, add:
- 3 drops of Cedarwood Himalayan (Cedrus deodara)
- 2 drops of Frankincense (Boswellia carterii)
- 3 drops of Bergamot (Citrus bergamia)
Note: This amount will last for several applications.
The Ritual
- Warm a small bowl of water (comfortably warm, not hot). Add one teaspoon of your blend to the water and swirl gently.
- Place a soft cloth into the bowl, let it absorb the aromatic water, then wring it out so it’s damp but not dripping.
- Find a quiet space and place the warm compress directly onto the skin of your chest. Allow the heat and aroma to settle your breath and soften any tension held from the day. Stay here for a minute or two, letting the warmth sink in.
- When you’re ready, take a small amount of the remaining blend and massage it into your feet. Slow, circular movements across the arches and heels help calm the nervous system and encourage a sense of grounding. Cedarwood anchors, Frankincense restores, and Bergamot gently lifts the last remnants of stress.
- Finish by resting your feet on the floor or a cushion, taking three slow breaths. Let this be your transition into evening stillness - warm, settled and ready for rest.
Embracing the Season Ahead
As we move beyond the Equinox and settle into the quieter rhythm of autumn, these small rituals and aromatic companions can help you stay grounded, steady and connected. Whether you begin your day with intention or end it with stillness, each moment offers a chance to support your wellbeing as the season unfolds.
Allow autumn to guide you inward, nourish your body, and restore your energy. A gentle preparation for the months ahead.
About Jo Kellett
Our essential oil expert, Jo Kellett TIDHA MIFPA CIMI, graduated from the Tisserand Institute of Holistic Aromatherapy in 1996. She returned to the college in 1999 as an Essential Oil Therapeutics Tutor, where she taught until the college closed. Jo runs a successful private Aromatherapy practice in Brighton, specialising in Women’s health. Jo is also an internationally published author and has lectured on the subject of Aromatherapy both in the UK and abroad.
For more information on Jo Kellett, check out her website or Instagram.
