While we’re weeks away from the official calendar start to autumn here, for me there is no denying the whispers and foreshadowing of those days ahead. It seems earlier to me than usual, but then again, nothing about this year or the accustomed timeline of how things unfold has felt “normal” this year.
On the other hand, it’s always interesting to open to new-to-us ways of seeing things, and I’ve been finding this “between time” especially rich and fascinating.
I was delighted to discover, thanks to herbalist Asia Suler, that the ancient Chinese held this time between summer and autumn as a fifth season. She talks about it here in this video.
The ancient Japanese culture was even more nuanced – they divided the year into seventy-two micro seasons. There is a fabulous app appropriately named 72 Seasons which I highly recommend as a lovely way to dip into this way of observing the world. Bonus delight: the always poetic Japanese use descriptive names for these seasons which seem so charming to me.
Paying attention to the natural world in such detailed ways feels like such a rich invitation.
I’ve been thinking lots about how we structure things – both the helpful and constricting aspects of it all. My love of looking at patterns, rhythms and cycles tends to keep me focused on certain containers that I revisit again and again, looking to deepen my understanding and awareness. To be honest this way of being is both the most wondrous thing I can imagine, and also a bit of a curse. I always feel like I’m unfolding things – often great beautiful surprising magical things, often hidden in obscure pockets. But there’s always a sense too of never quite finishing with anything. No closed books. On the other hand, I delight in honoring my meandering path, always willing to follow my inspiration. And I think it’s actually honed into a super-power one of my innate skills at finding connections between things that aren’t necessarily obvious.
I’m feeling a lot of tree energy and a wild sense of excitement about exploring this further, and I suspect this is going to be one of my autumn themes. One, which no doubt, I’ll be bringing to the pages of this blog over the coming weeks.
I recently read a book, which I’m currently holding as a favorite, entitled The Merro Tree by Katie Waitman. It’s a fantasy novel, her debut, published in 1992, about the adventures of a Master Performance Artist and his adventures both training to be a master and touring across the galaxy. There are two prominent themes – same gender interspecies love and confronting censorship, both of which seem particularly relevant a quarter of a century after the book’s publication.
In addition to my thumbs up rating, I’m mentioning the book because of the tree title.
Here’s a quote explaining the other-worldly tree:
“The first merro tree was a latecomer to our world,” said the Dean, “and not immune to the Intoxication. As a result, its branches grew every which way, its leaves curled in fantastic shapes, and it bore not fruit. The First People believed that, late-comer that it was, even if it did adapt it was unlikely to produce anything of value.”…
“One Blossom Season, after years on the edge of extinction, the merro tree suddenly produced a display of beautiful dark green leaves. It had finally adapted to the Intoxication. To the First People’s amazement, it also produced fruit, fruit of such rare and wonderful scent and flavor that the First People were ashamed. They declared the merro tree sacred and its fruit a gift from Heaven, to be served with reverence and eaten in silence.”
I find this such an encouraging hopeful message, and much needed in a time when it so often feels like our own world is wobbly with strange forces of intoxication and chaos.
I also see it as an invitation. When we do find those things of unexpected beauty, let’s not pass them by unnoticed. Let’s celebrate them, honor them, and hold them with love in our hearts. These gifts are ours to receive – let’s not refuse them.
What a wonderful thing to be feeling tree energy!
And what a lovely message – the Merro Tree.
I look forward to your coming blogs about trees
Much love
Mary
Thanks Mary – I can’t wait to see where the trees inspire me to go.
Yay!! It went through!
LOL – I’m celebrating as well Mary! May the trickster comment guardians stay clear of you forever!
Hi Deborah – it is the time of change … as we adapt to the new season. So interesting to know Japan has a way of describing 72 seasons … while the Chinese had this extra season sometime now – rather like our Indian Summer – not sure how that name came about. I love trees and all the different ways they ‘talk’ to us … the Merro Tree offers much – take care – cheers Hilary
I’m always intrigued at how different cultures view the natural world. There’s so much wisdom to cull.
A lovely inspiring post Deborah thank you. I too can spend time looking into things that come my way – and wonder if I spend tooo much time in so doing, so I relate to the blessing and the curse. All is pretty dry here where I live – the rains come only in October up here on the highveld, so there are parts of the landscape that still look autumnal.
There is a tree in my complex which bears flowers only occasionally – in fact I’ve seen it bear a flower high up in its branches only once. It was so beautiful, white, joyous, abundantly large. I still look for it every now and then hoping to get sight of it.
Enjoy the full moon and thank you again.
What a special gift when your only-occasionally-blooming tree offers its display! How fun. Enjoy your final days of winter Susan.
I’m such a big fan of trees. In my neighborhood I’ve become known to some as the “Tree Defender” as I am always standing up for trees that others think should be cut down or drastically trimmed. Every year it seems like I go through the same battle of convincing the neighborhood association to wait until after summer to trim the trees. The shade keeps my electricity bills down in a major way.
Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out
What a fabulous role – “Tree Defender.” I’m sure the neighborhood trees welcome your involvement. Wishing you a wonderful autumn Lee.
Great post, Friend. Gonna have to look that book up. I really don’t know what happened to summer, because I am pretty sure I missed it along the way, but I am all ready for DELICIOUS AUTUMN! It never disappoints! Aloha1
I feel like I’m trying to learn a new language – the language of time – and I’m kind of stuck in the wow-this-is-making-absolutely-no-sense stage. And so while I’m not sure how we’re actually into the final weeks of summer, I’m with you in getting ready to celebrate all the gifts and beauty autumn brings.
Hi dear Deborah,
Beautiful article and thank you for the addition of the Japanese 72 seasons. Very intriguing, will hop over to that site for sure!
Thanks to your post, I better understand why I ‘suddenly’ (nope, coincidence doesn’t exist) see all kind of messages and articles about trees. Hence, why I suggested to write a poem about the topic tree with a dear friend.
Wishing you a lovely weekend, XxX
Oh I love the pervasiveness of tree energy! And the idea of tree poems as well. Sounds perfect to me.
I’m really enjoying 72 Seasons. I feel encouraged to really pay attention to the nuances and shifts in the natural world. A life-long study for sure, but certainly one that is most enjoyable.
I added the 72-app to my mobile phone and indeed very intriguing and interesting. Thanks again for the share 🙂 XxX
My pleasure Patty – and I’m delighted you’re finding the app interesting too.