Welcoming Autumn

By Ananaia O'Leary

 

Crisp air awakens the nostrils... Faint smell of smoke on the wind.

Above birds wheel to the South. At night a sweater warms against the

Chill. Autumn is here once more... A bitter-sweet season of rich harvest

& fading summer.

 

On the Autumnal Equinox Nature hangs in perfect balance. Night & day are

Equal in length. The Wheel turns and golden Summer yields to Autumn's

Tawny hues. Nature exhales ... Turning inward from creation to

Introspection, celebrating its bounty while preparing to shelter from

The cold nights of Winter.

 

As in every season, we are invited to take our cues from rhythms of the

Earth.

 

This is a time of harvest -- for giving thanks for the bounty in our lives.

 

If I hear myself respond "My life doesn't feel bountiful," it's time for

Me to pause and go deeper... Deeper into awareness, into gratitude, into

Celebration of the abundant gifts of Earth & Spirit. So I pause... Turn

Inward echoing the example of Nature. Introspection yields a fierce

Awareness of the fullness of living that I so often take for granted,

Minimize, deny. I am alive! At peace! Snug in the shelter of my home.

 

Outside a single bird serenades me. My children smile at me from their

Pictures above my computer. Tokens from my friends cluster on my friends

& family altar, reminding me that I am loved and supported. I breathe

Into the gratitude, letting that breath expand into my heart which opens

In bitter-sweet joy... The sweetness of fullness, the bitter memory of

All the moments I've forgotten my blessings. Today I remember.

 

This is a time of balance -- between day & light, action & stillness,

Internal & external -- a time to examine the balance of our lives. Do

Spend I spend more time working than playing? Do I spend more time

Delaying than achieving? Do I talk more than I listen? Do I listen well

But deny my natural expression?  Are my friends more important than my

Family? Or does my home life consume me until there is no time for

Outside connections or commitments? Can I still my mind and open to the

Subtle whispers of soul & nature? Do I meditate often, but act seldom?

Can I express my anger as well as my joy? Am I willing to be out of

Balance in the moment, trusting that balance is a dynamic which unfolds

Over time, not a static state of mediocre experience? Do I worship the

Sun? Can I greet the moon with joy and let the inky folds of night

Cradle me without fear? What are the extremes of my life, how can I

Balance them.

 

On this Autumn Equinox go outside at the moment of sunset when night &

Day stand at the balance, and declare your intention to invite & honor

More balance in your life, for it is the endless dance of opposites

Which yields all creation!

 

This is a time of preparation.

 

The stark Winter lies ahead of us. Life is always prepared to render up

Its next challenge, but we need not fear the natural cycle of things. If

We take stock, prepare & remember, we can weather any winter.

 

Take stock of your skills, strengths & resources, and prepare. Often

Challenges overwhelm us because we overlook our own abilities and fail

To utilize the resources available to us. Our skills & effort have

Yielded a larder-full of sustaining energies. No matter how depleted we

Feel, we have survived to this moment. Our very survival reminds us of

The strength within that has upheld us through so many winters. We can

Draw on this strength & the wisdom gained through years of living to

Help us meet any challenge. Prepare for future challenges by growing

Your strengths in the warm and gentle seasons, so you can draw on them

When the snow begins to fall.

 

And remember we are not alone. Winter can be a lonely world if we don't

Reach out for support & community. In the deep cold of winter survival

Sometimes depends on extending yourself beyond your self-sufficient

Boundaries. Take stock of your external resources, friends, family,

Ministers, counselors & other helping professionals or volunteers. Who

Can you call on in times of need? Who can call on you? Nurture & honor

Mutually supportive relationships. At all times remember that we are

Surrounded by spirit helpers who stand ready to support, guide & sustain

Us if we will only ask. We are never truly alone even in the depths of

Winter. If we take time to inventory & prepare, we will discover that

Our pantry is well stocked for the coming season.

 

This Equinox claim time to take stock, honor the harvest & give thanks!

Pull on a sweater and take a walk in the chill of the evening, tuning

Your body to the subtle shifting of green to gold. Come home to a warm

cup of apple cider, and an hour or so of quiet contemplation with the

stillness to honor deep gratitude. Surround yourself with the energies

of the loves & blessings of your life. Celebrate!