Fall into Balance: The Magic of the Autumn Equinox
Finding Balance and Meaning in the Changing Seasons of Life
I first published this post on the Autumn Equinox of 2008. So much has changed in the world and my world since then, but today I am reminded that Nature is somewhat eternal…so it felt right to share again…
It is the time of the Autumn Equinox when the daylight and nighttime are of equal length, matching the Spring Equinox. However, now we are heading further into Winter, and the darkness begins to take more and more of our time. Even though it might still be sunny, there is a chill in the air that reminds us that Winter is just around the corner. I love this time of year and find its symbology rich and enchanting. In modern life, we tend to be somewhat out of touch with the seasons and the natural world, so I like to take this time to remind myself of what Autumn brings.
It is almost like the world takes one deep breath each year....breathing and focusing in over the Autumn and Winter and breathing and focusing out over Spring and Summer. This is the time of the harvest when the seeds have sprouted and grown and are now ready to be reaped and turned into fuel for the long cold of Winter. So it is with us as well. When we are in tune with the rhythms of nature, we more naturally plan ahead and sow the seeds of what we want during Spring...it is a time of promise and hope. We then take action throughout Spring and Summer to grow these seeds into goals and dreams that we have. At the start of Autumn we come to the time of fulfillment and achievement...things naturally come to fruition and we come to celebrate and reflect on what has happened. It is the time of baking bread and making wine. In nature, this is an absolute illustration of the Law of Cause and Effect i.e. you reap what you sow!
The seed is also a big symbol of this time of year. In the spring, we sowed the seeds that would grow into our goals and dreams. Spring is the time of promise and hope. At harvest time in the natural world, the plants we reap provide the seeds for planting next year. The new seeds are a distillation of all that has gone before...they not only share the DNA of the seeds planted in Spring but they contain all the adjustments and experience that the plant has had to make to survive over summer. So it is with us as well. As we reflect on what we have harvested, we gain experience that informs us of the seeds that we want to sow next year.
At this time of balance between the light and the dark, we prepare for the winter and the beginning of the inner cycle. It is the evening of the year, as we prepare for night. It is still a time of activity as we have to make provision for the coming cold, but things start to slow down and the outward signs of life become less visible in the natural world. Trees shed their leaves, flowers pull back, the forests show one final blaze of glory before going bare (a great time to visit New England in the US!). It is at this time of year that I like beginning to think about what I am going to do over winter and how I am going to focus on my inner life rather than launching whole new projects.
I believe that there is real value and benefit in being in tune with the rhythms of nature - that we can learn much from nature that will bring more peace, understanding and alignment in our lives. So, if the spirit of the natural world takes you at this time of year, here are some things you might like to consider to mark the time of year and your own life...
Journal - write about what has happened during spring and summer - what has come to pass, what has been achieved, what has come to fruition. Celebrate your successes and note the learning of all that has happening, both good and the more challenging!
Share with a friend - spend time with someone special to really slow down and share what is going on in your life...both what has happened, what you have reaped and what you are beginning to think about sowing in the coming season. Talk about your conscious intentions for winter and the inner work that you might like to do. Take the time and space for your friend to share the same about their life with you.
Go for a walk in the woods - notice what is changing in nature, what is still alive and what is beginning to retreat. See how this reflects your own life.
Bake bread, make jam! - this season is literally all about harvesting the fruits of the earth so what better way to do this than to use the fruits of the earth to make food that you love.
Share your bread, jam, cake and wine with friends! - this is not only a time of reflection but also of celebration! In years gone by, this would mark the start of the time when people were forced to spend time indoors together by the weather. Without modern conveniences, that was a long time to be in forced company so people had to find ways to get on with each other and bring enjoyment. So, get together with friends and have a party! Share bread, cake, jam and wine...share stories of your success and triumphs, share stories of your learning. Set an intention to spend conscious time with people you love celebrating the harvest in each others lives.
