How to Decorate Your Wiccan Altar for Autumn Equinox

The lilting notes of the seven-toned pipes whisper through the glades, as the Lord of the Woodlands plays his Autumn song. The time for rest and renewal is approaching and all things look towards their rest. The bounty of the second harvest, of the fruits, nuts and seeds is ready to be gathered in, under the watchful gaze of the All-Mother. It is She who gives, and also She that takes, so all thoughts turn to the gathering Dark ahead. All is balanced once again for but a moment, as we bid the time of Light farawell.
Be sure to decorate your altar with all the things that represent the season of the Autumn Equinox to you, so that you can enjoy prosperity, abundance, and gratitude during this time of year. Here are some ideas:

Autumnal colours

The colors of Autumnal fruits are appropriate this time of year, so reds and purples and greens will work. Also, we’re starting to look forward to leaves changing, so the bright oranges, browns, golds, and reds of Autumn foliage is appropriate. You may also want to sneak in some darker colors, like browns or black to symbolize that we’re turning from the light half of the year to the dark half. While this holiday is about joy and plenty, there’s a hint of death in the air that will bring us to Samhain.

Scents

Obviously, heavy fruit scents like apple, grape, and pomegranate are perfect for now. Also, deeper earthy scents that remind us of the darker months coming up and the earth we depend on- like oak moss or patchouli. For incense frankincense and myrrh are good, as they have often represented wealth and abundance. This holiday is all about being filled with gratitude for the riches we’ve been given!

Pumpkins, apples and grapes

Although carved pumpkins are typically associated with Samhain later in the year, they make a great addition to your equinox decorating. Place miniature versions of them on your altar or decorate them with painted symbols, such as pentacles, moons, and stars.
The apple season is in full bloom. In addition to being delicious, these beautiful fruits - available in so many different colors - are perfect for divination and magic. Place baskets and bowls of them around your home, as well as on your altar.
Much like the apple, the grape is one of those fruits that has a significant amount of magic associated with it. The grape harvest–and the wine that it produces–has been associated with fertility deities like Egypt's Hathor, the lusty Roman Bacchus and Greek Dionysus. By the time of Autumn Equinox, grape arbors are flourishing. Vines, leaves and fruit are all usable items.
If you have oak trees nearby, collect acorns. In the absence of acorns, other nuts such as hazelnuts or buckeyes are a great option! Store them in pretty glass jars tied with ribbons, place them in bowl, or string them together to make a garland.
Seed pods. A lot of plants are setting seed now, and it’s a great time to collect those seeds and keep them on the altar to bless them. Then you can plant the blessed seeds next Spring for some extra magickal oomph.

Gods & Godesses figures

Although most commonly the Greek and Roman gods are associated with Paganism, many other cultures have their harvest gods who gave the gifts from the land and sea. Here are some of the harvest gods associated with Autumn Equinox: Demeter- the Greek goddess of grain and harvest who is responsible for the dormant season Persephone – the Greek goddess of spring, daughter of Demeter Artemis – a Greek goddess of the hunt and forest Diana – a Roman goddess of the chase, guardian of the forest Cernunnos – a Celtic god, the lord of the forest, associated with fertility and vegetation Mixcoatl – an Aztec god of the hunt Odin – a Norse god of the wild hunt Dionysus – the Greek god of grapes and wine Bacchus – the Roman party god Tezcatzontecatl – an Aztec god associated with harvest and fertility Osiris – an Egyptian god who brewed beer for the Egyptian pantheon and became associated with the harvest