Bright Blessings of balance at the Equinox. The seasonal wheel has turned once again, and here in the northern hemisphere we’re welcoming autumn.
Autumn is such a beautiful time of transformation, and we simply have to turn to nature to see it displayed in outward magnificence. The abundant harvesting of so many different types of apples; the gorgeous coloring of the leaves; the golden filtering of the light.
Early days of autumn are fueled with increased energy and bursts of creativity – I like thinking of myself as a tree readying myself for a colorful display. But as we move through the season, the energy slows just as the sap in the trees does. We understand, and feel the call within our soul, to relinquish what is no longer of value to us, just as the trees let go of their leaves.
We often think and talk about clearing as making way for expansion and new things, but even before we get to that point we can consider that clearing might in fact be necessary for us to be able to see the sign posts. What path are we on? What direction are we turning? What stillness can we tune into to hear with our hearts?
I love this observation by poet Edward Hirsch:
“…every year there is a brief, startling moment
When we pause in the middle of a long walk home and
Suddenly feel something invisible and weightless
Touching our shoulders, sweeping down from the air:
It is the autumn wind pressing against our bodies;
It is the changing light of fall falling on us.”
Autumn offers us those dramatic moments – however brief they might be – when some transformation causes us to catch our breath and understand there is no turning back. We are in motion now. We are gathering the nuts and fruits and grains that will sustain us later, and just as we’re enjoying these first bright golden moments of the season, we understand what we most want to do is transform that light into something we hold within ourselves and shine no matter what the seasonal calendar is. This is the work of our lives, that we carry on throughout every season.
Hope is such a beautiful blessing and one we should hold on to tightly as the gift it is. May we move through this season with hope, treading gently and filling the air with our laughter, and spreading our magic and light everywhere.
Hi Deborah – I love Edward Hirsch’s thought … and yes these changes of direction or settlement come upon us – often slipping up so we absorb them without almost noticing. We need to gather our harvest of thoughts and ideas … cheers HIlary
I’m really enjoying the idea of moving through this season with conscious awareness, gathering my harvest, and hopefully sharing an abundant feast with others. Happy autumn Hilary!
I so love Autumn and you have captured the feeling beautifully … Thank you
Thanks for your kind words Kama. And may you have an exquisitely magical autumn!
Thanks Deborah. I love the thought of, as leaves let go and fall, we can let go of things too. I love living with the seasons and flowing with the energy of each.
Have a lovely weekend!
I really embrace that idea Mary. I think every season has important and wonderful things to teach us, but that idea of letting go of things with such ease and grace as trees do with their leaves feels like such a huge game changer when we can hold that as wisdom.
Wishing you a wonderful weekend as well!
What a gentle and accepting way to look at autumn, Deborah! I usually am kicking and screaming my way out of summer. Don’t get me wrong…I love autumn, but it does indicate winter is coming. 🙁 You’ve reframed a beautiful season for me…perfect for my current quest for stillness. Thank you!
It’s true Winter is backstage now waiting for its curtain, but Autumn is in the spotlight with all its glory. This is indeed a perfect time to deepen your stillness practice. Although I imagine a romp or two through piles of crunchy leaves will do your heart good as well. 🙂
I think sometimes I really miss what the changing seasons can make you feel like. Here where I am in California it is pretty much either summer or winter. Thanks for sparking my imagination to try to feel autumn!
California has so many wonderful things going on for it, but it’s true it can’t compete with the Midwest’s Autumns and Springs for their dramatic showings. Still, every place marks the transitions, and I sometimes think that the more subtle the shifts that call for the most observant of eyes, the more appreciation can be garnered. Wishing you a wonderful autumn Janet – no matter how it shows up.
Have a wonderful autumn, Deborah. It’s such an exciting time of year, everything just seems to pick up, that increased energy you speak of…new colors, new birds and butterflies passing though, more events to attend…everything is happening.
Yes, all manner of wonderful things to enjoy! Wishing you a delight-filled autumn Candace, and hopefully you can add some new lifers to your birding list during the migration times.
This season does feel like a time of great productivity. I like the image of shedding what isn’t of value and I’m focusing on that. Lovely post.
Good for you Naomi. And may you have a most wonderful and satisfying autumn.