“Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness,
Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun;
Conspiring with him how to load and bless
With fruit the vines that round the thatch-eves run…”
– John Keats, from To Autumn
photo by Aaron Burden
Today is the Autumnal Equinox. It’s time to pause, to celebrate, to acknowledge.
Today I welcome the Autumn, the new season of “mellow fruitfulness,” the harvest, the turning inward for rest and regeneration, for deep learning and healing and transformation.
I give thanks for the cycles of life, for the coming life-giving rains, for the colors and rich scents of Autumn, for loss and decay and dying and letting go that make way for new life, for paring down and paring away to Essence.
Welcome, Autumn, with your rich gifts!
In this post, I share some ways for you to welcome Autumn, to acknowledge this turning point and be in harmony with the season and the cycles of life.
In ancient times, in all cultures, people paused to celebrate the turning point of the seasons. Temples, kivas, pyramids and all kinds of structures were built to acknowledge these key turning points, and ceremonies were held.
It is just as important now as it was then to live in tune with the seasons and cycles of life, to tune our lives to those rhythms.
photo by Aaron Burden
These questions will help you to appreciate, to celebrate, to acknowledge this important turning point of the year, and to align yourself with the movement of the seasons. You may want to journal about each of these, or share your responses with a friend, or simply take a walk and ponder them.
1) What do you need to let go of now to make space for new life?
2) What is dying or falling away that you need to grieve and praise?
3) What would you love to learn, heal or transform in this coming season, this time of turning inward?
4) What needs regenerating in you or your life?
5) What has come to fruition, to harvest, that you can celebrate and give thanks for?
To Autumn!
