Next to Spring I totally love the dynamic energy and power of the Autumn season, there is something exhilarating, magical, anything is possible… Before Winter arrives, we have a few months of “Mother Nature’s Showtime”. You just know the moment Autumn has arrived, something has happened, there is a definite shift. Autumn could be described as a time of plenty with fruits, nuts and seeds everywhere. Reds, golden yellows, golden browns, low morning mists, the clean, crisp aroma, the scenery all around is simply breath-taking, yet there it is – that nip in the air... a hint of melancholy slips in. We are officially in the Autumn season.
The Autumn Equinox this year falls on the 23rd September. It is “THE TIME” in the year to really honour the changing seasons, to “GIVE THANKS” for what you have and absolutely “LET GO” of anything that no longer serves you. Relationships, negativity, any kind of patterns of negativity, anything that is no longer serving you, your purpose, or your joy! Think of it this way, it’s not a good idea to go into Autumn/Winter carrying heavy burdens, or excess baggage, whether emotionally, mentally, physically or spiritually. This is a time of balance and reflection.
Back in the day, the Autumn was all about giving thanks/gratitude to the God/Goddess for a bountiful harvest for all the amazing things you had in your life, you would literally be reaping the fruits of your labour. You would literally be getting the benefits and positive results of your work.
WORLD GRATITUDE DAY is celebrated in September, the school academic year begins. The Autumn season is the season of the mind and a time to be thankful… Journaling is a lovely thing to do at this time of year, you can write about all the things you have in your life to be grateful for, journal about future dreams, goals, aspirations. Something I love to do is to have a little Gratitude Get-together. Invite some friends around and share the bounty of the season with lovely Autumn themed health food and drinks, most of us even in this modern-day time hibernate during the Winter therefore it’s nice to do something special, just like they did in the olden days by having a pre-Winter get together. At this time of year we can also feel a little depressed, withdrawn, melancholy (a bit low). Looking for uplifting things to do will help you get through this period joyfully - Maybe a dance, drumming, art or cookery course throughout the Autumn months?
Metal (the seasonal element of Autumn) represents a time of inner reflection, looking at what you have achieved in Spring and Summer. It’s a time to appreciate who we are and what we bring to the world (self-worth). Autumn is about reflection, focus and structure, it’s about eliminating and letting go, tapping into your intuition and strength. When I studied TCM back in “The Summer period of my life” I was fascinated with the whole seasonal elements aspect. Autumn in five element theory is connected to the breath, its time of day is evening (You’re in the Autumn period of your life aged 60-80 years) you’re in the evening phase of your life... The associated organs up for service are the lungs and the large intestine. Through the breath and these organs, we take in and let go… Think about what you’re taking in and letting go of during this time, be mindful, trust your intuition, be mindful of what you watch, listen to, and think – Practice Mindfulness... Work with the breath. In a gentle and intuitive way ask yourself - What do you really want? What makes my heart sing. How can you achieve my dreams/goals? What are the steps I need to take to have the life that I want. I love that the rhythms of the year are there to guide us.
Happy Autumn Equinox
"Remember to celebrate milestones as you prepare for the road ahead." -- Nelson Mandela
“Lose your mind and come to your senses” Frederick Salomon Peris