Bitesize Blogs - Why We Love Autumn - Pt. 1

The Autumn Equinox, also known as Mabon, or Fall, is the second of the three Pagan harvest festivals. Our farming Ancestors of the past would have called it "Harvest Home" Festival, which is more often celebrated near the end of September, aligning with the last day of the harvest.

🍂 September – Season of Mists, Magic & the Witch

Ahh, September, the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness, that famous line, taken from the poem "To Autumn," which was written by one of our most famous English Romantic poets, John Keats. It's one of his most celebrated works, known for its rich imagery and depiction of the Autumn season, and highlights how deeply this season resonates within us.

........and of course, it's also the season of the witch!

We love it - Autumn colours, pumpkin spice everything, longer nights, candles!

It's late August as I sit down to muse about Autumn...a pattern that I've noticed as I update my blog every year. For me personally I welcome these cooler late Summer / Autumn days. Already we can see the mornings and evenings getting darker. For many people this is a melancholy time, the darker nights can cause anxiety and fear....but I have found over the years that by cultivating a strong personal spiritual practice, we can fully step into this magically charged time with a feeling of excitement. This new season gives us the opportunity for fresh starts, a blank page, the ability to go within and create new practices, and definitely to count our blessings and gratitudes. I relish this time as the time for self-care, slowing down and starting my inner work, such as shadow work and shamanic journeying.

Why Do We Love Autumn So Much? The Psychology and Magic of the Season

Autumn holds a magic in its air. As the nights draw in, leaves crunch underfoot, and the scent of wood smoke lingers in the crisp air, something stirs deep within us.

I don't know about your inboxes and social media feeds, but mine are full with Autumn inspired photos, recipes, crafts and colour already. The kids are not back to school, but the shops are filled with Autumn decor (big bucks now as we all scramble to decorate our houses with Fall colours) and 'Halloween' themed fashion! ....and this is all 'muggle' led, (hmm or should that be media / advertising led??) not just the witches!

But why do we love Autumn so much? Is it just the cosy jumpers, hot chocolate, pumpkin spice and orange hues or is there something deeper in our brains and biology that makes us crave this golden season? - I went on a little fact finding quest!

Autumn is the UK's Second (only second!!??) Favourite Season.

A recent YouGov poll found that 33% of Britons chose Autumn as their favourite season, narrowly beaten by Spring (35%) .... far ahead of Summer (25%) and Winter (7%). When asked why, the top answers included:

• The beauty of the changing leaves

• Cooler, fresher air after summer heatwaves

• Cosy comforts - blankets, jumpers, hot drinks

• Seasonal food - roast dinners, pies, stews, and spiced bakes.

  
  

Another survey of 2,000 adults by OnePoll revealed that what Brits love most about Autumn is crisp fresh mornings (26%), the chance to snuggle up under blankets (22%), and the joy of seasonal comfort foods (21%).

Clearly, Autumn is more than just a season - it’s a national mood, and this is more than true for America too - In the U.S.: A 2022 Morning Consult poll found 41% of adults named Fall as their favourite season, well ahead of spring and summer (24% each), and way above winter (11%) Morning Consult Pro.

• And in 2023, 45% of Americans again chose Autumn as their favourite, nearly double summer’s 24% CBS Newscirclesquareoval.com.

  
  

The Psychology of Cosy: Why Autumn Feels So Good

1. The Limbic Brain and Firelight

Our love of Autumn connects back to our limbic system, the part of the brain that governs memory and emotion. Warmth, fire, and safety are primal human needs. Sitting by a fire on a dark evening activates feelings of comfort, community, and security.  Studies are showing that fire may have influenced the development of the human brain! Fire is associated with creativity, dreaming and deep meditation. No wonder candles, log burners, and fairy lights feel so magical for us in Autumn! You can read more about this, and the Danish concept of 'Hygge' in my Winter solstice Blog here.

2. Scent and Nostalgia

The smell of bonfires, damp leaves, cinnamon, and baking apple pies is powerful. Unlike sight or sound, scent connects directly to the amygdala and hippocampus - our emotional and memory centres. That’s why a whiff of wood smoke or pumpkin spice can instantly transport us back to childhood Autumns, cosy kitchens, and family gatherings. Even if that wasn't our reality, the media has done a great job with it's advertising, so we have been exposed to those 'memories' on some level.

3. Perfect Weather for the British Psyche

Research shows that people are happiest in temperatures between 10 - 20°C, and that’s exactly what UK Autumn delivers! Unlike the sweltering heatwaves of Summer or the icy grip of Winter, Autumn days are brisk but comfortable. Add in soft, diffused, golden light and the beautiful colours of the crisp, falling leaves, and you’ve got the perfect recipe for contentment.

4. Routines and Fresh Starts

Autumn has long been tied to fresh beginnings. Here in the UK, the new school year starts each September, leaving many of us with a subconscious sense of renewal, even in adulthood. Psychologists call this a “temporal landmark”, a moment in the year when we naturally reset, refocus, and set new intentions.

Cultural and Seasonal Magic

In Britain, Autumn is also a season of rich, cultural tradition. From our harvest festivals and traditional fayres to Bonfire Night and Samhain, the wheel of the year is steeped in celebration. For modern pagans, Mabon and the Autumn Equinox, are celebrated together, blurred boundaries around the name - it's a time to give thanks for abundance, honour balance, and prepare for the darker half of the year.

This cultural and spiritual framework reinforces our sense that Autumn is not just about weather, it's something deeper.

In a Nutshell, Autumn Brings Us....

• Comfort: Warm colours, firelight, and cosy textures speak to ancient survival instincts.

• Nostalgia: Scents and sights of Autumn activate powerful memories.

• Biology: Cooler temperatures improve mood and focus.

• Culture: Seasonal rituals - from the first harvest and baking bread at Lammas, to honouring our Ancestors at Samhain, these rituals bind us together.

• Spirituality: Autumn invites balance, reflection, and gratitude at Mabon/the Autumn Equinox.