“fragile twigs/breaking off the scarlet papers/autumn wind” -Basho
The seasonal wheel has turned again, bringing those of us in the northern hemisphere into autumn once more. Although I admit Spring is my favorite season, Autumn certainly has its abundant charms. Here in the Midwest USA there will be wonderful displays of leaves changing colors, crisp apples and pretty pumpkins, and sweater stashes to pull out. But before all that, the first sign for me of the transition from summer is how the light changes. It’s so dramatic I’m convinced I almost feel the Earth tilting into a new seasonal position.
This is when I feel most akin to my instinctual nature. I can imagine being a butterfly or bird and knowing its time to migrate – I, too, just somehow feel led to turn in different directions.
I have to be a bit careful because this is the time when I’m inclined to plan too many things that outreach the amount of time and energy available. What initially seems so exciting and useful and expansive can lead to overwhelm, so I try to apply the think-carefully-about-it-for-a-while-before-deciding rule. I do find it helpful though to think about what I’d like. What is it I’d like to harvest this autumn? And I find it useful to take a look at what I’ve done so far for the year – the focus and overview perspective helps me see what I’ve already harvested, where my energy is going, what needs more attention, and what’s ready to be jettisoned even if I haven’t quite consciously admitted it yet. All handy information to have on hand, no matter where I am in the year.
The equinoxes always feel special to me and worthy of celebration. Poised at the point of balance, stepping out of the old season into the new. This is a powerful time, and it feels full of potential and possibilities and magic. I always think it’s good to begin new journeys with clear intentions, so I invite you to set one for how you’d like this season to unfold. No matter what you choose, my wish for all of us is that we treat each other with kindness, keep our hearts open and our feet on the joy trail. May this new season bring bountiful blessings for us all!
I’d love to hear what you’re hoping and planning for, and what delights you about this new season.
Hoping this comment goes through…
I like autumn better than the other seasons because I consider it Mother Nature’s way of showing me to: 1) take joy in colors; & 2) let go of anything that doesn’t serve me anymore. I’m with you in that I find it “full of potential and possibilities and magic.” So be it.
Your hope has manifested and your comment has made it through, to my delight. I love your receptivity to MOther Nature’s autumn paradigm – there’s so much worth learning and enjoying about color and the gifts of release. Wishing you a spectacular autumn.
Hari Om
I agree the sun seemed to drop several degrees in the sky over the past week and the leaves appeared to heed the signal, starting their colour change from one day to the next… autumn is my own favourite season; somehow there is always a sense of relief. From what? Yet to be determined! YAM xx
There’s something thrilling about a season that offers such dramatic shifts that feels so liberating to me, and makes me really delight in autumn. May you be nourished and find joyful relief in this season.
The abundance of golden light and the crisp air delight me. I like it when the dark comes before 9:30-10:00 like it does in summer. Being so far north will cost us quite a bit of light but fall is somehow cozier and more subdued than the brightness of summer.
It pleases me to live in a place that experiences quite distinctive seasonal shifts – it almost seems like getting four special gifts during the year. Wishing you a wonderful gold-lit autumn Margaret.
Thanks for your autumn equinox wishes!
I always love to read your writings, they lift me up and bring me peace of mind and teach me new things.
One of my favourite Autumn activities is to collect lots of natural goodies and make tableaus out of them. A few chestnuts here, some twigs, acorns, feathers, an old derelict birdhouse, some rocks, soil, you name it. I always have one set up outside near the back porch. The birds play with it and feed on it. And I delight in it! I always bless the earth when I take some of her bounty.
I also harvest some of my nasturtium seeds for next spring. I tend to look forward rather than backwards. I will try to do that this year.
Thanks for your inspiration!
I wish you a blessed, bountiful autumn too!
Such a beautiful practice Karin, and it makes me smile thinking of your little nature altars everywhere. What is more perfect than that? May autumn bless you boundlessly.
What I love about autumn is the contrast between cooling temps and bright sun; September afternoons are my favorite, with the last kiss of summer heat kissing my cheeks even as the breeze hints of cold to come.
Ah, that’s such a delicious image. We tend to get some of our bluest skies during these last days of September into October, and I’m also looking forward to the variety of apples available from our local CSA. Crisp tastes and crisp colors.
Hi Deborah – I prefer Spring … and I think this year with all the upheavals we’re having over here … I need to wrap this year up – well you know what I mean … finishing things before the end of the year turns up. We are in difficult times here … but at least there’s things to do … and my brain is suitably occupied while we all watch the trees turn, the winds come down from chillier climes … cheers – so life goes on! Hilary
I understand what you’re saying and feeling Hilary, and hope you find some brilliant support in nature’s travel through autumn. Wishing you all the best always.
DELICIOUS AUTUMN!!! I LOVE IT!
Wishing you a colorful and richly satisfying autumn Vicki!