Is Autumn Already Here? Discover When the Autumnal Equinox Arrives

The start of autumn happens with the autumnal equinox on September 22

There is a special moment when day equals night. This is when the Sun crosses the celestial equator. The days of the equinoxes are noteworthy because The sun sets directly opposite to where it rises. For people in ancient times, natural events like solstices and equinoxes became key markers for tracking time and splitting the year into four main parts. On these days, people assembled at significant sacred spots in nature to connect with their gods through rituals—using words, dance, song, and games. During this time, they competed in not just sports, but also showcased their understanding of myths and songs, making sure famous ancestors were honored. These rituals were essential for their spiritual life.

The ancient Slavs would often sacrifice bread, corn porridge, or wafers during their celebrations and rituals. As the year comes to a close, they would throw a grand feast. Since the equinox symbolizes a balance of forces, it was the ideal time to influence fate positively. Common rituals involved communicating with barrels, and people would also bid farewell to Mokoshi (the Slavic goddess of fertility) and welcome Morana, who, while taking away, also provides strength by allowing for rest through the winter. Elements of this celebration still exist today in modern autumn feasts and festivals. Historical records suggest that the animal sacrificed to Mokoša was a hen or rooster, a tradition reflected in Czech folklore known as the ritual of beheading or chasing a rooster.

Suggestions for exploring ancient pagan ritual sites

As previously discussed, during equinoxes and solstices, individuals traveled to specific sacred sites to connect with their gods. Many of these locations can still be explored today.
One of these sites is Libuše’s pond near Kourim. Archaeological investigations have uncovered pits around it that were possibly used for lighting sacrificial fires in honor of a spring deity. There’s a chance that the surface was used for divination, as was the custom of the Polabian Slavs. The connection between Libuše and the pond might symbolize respect for the princess and oracle, which is related in various locations across Bohemia with a specific water cult. The name Libuše was not just a name for a woman among ancient Slavs but referred more to the role of a priestess, the oracle of her people. These days, the pond is often dry, and only during long rains and spring thaws can this natural wonder be appreciated in its full splendor.
Kounov stone rows, known as the most enigmatic site in the Czech Republic, comprise long rows of boulders stretching across hundreds of meters on Rovina hill, near the village of Kounov (located between Rakovník and Podbořany). They have sparked debate for over seventy years. Some believe they were a prehistoric temple for sun worship, a pagan calendar, or just a unique arrangement for field boundaries that is unlike anything else. Despite extensive efforts from researchers across generations, the enigma of the Kounov stone rows remains unsolved.
In the vicinity of Klobuky, near Slany, there is a three and a half meter high red-brown sandstone formation known as the Stone Shepherd, which stands tall and prominent against the flat landscape. This is the largest menhir in the Czech Republic, silently bearing witness to an ancient history that we can only theorize about.
An intriguing collection of Pagan stones can be found in the Frýdlant hills, specifically in the village of Višňová on the current Czech-Polish border. These are large boulders made of Rumburk granite, surrounded by numerous tales, and they likely served as a cult location in ancient times. On the largest of these stones, you can see “sacrificial bowls”, which are large, bowl-shaped depressions.

Not far away is The King’s Table, located near Uherské hradiště, steeped in many legends connected to the Great Moravian era of Central Pomerania. Some researchers have hypothesized that it serves as a megalithic dolmen, intended for marking the equinoxes and solstices.

In the Rychleby Mountains, near the village of Vidnava, you can find Venus bowls – natural rock depressions resembling large bowls. The biggest bowl is nearly perfectly round, measuring 1.5 meters in diameter and over a meter deep. It can hold about 65 liters of water. These Venus bowls are believed to carry magical properties – it is said that a woman who sits in one of these bowls will get married and become pregnant within a year.