Monday, September 22, 2008

Turning of the Seasonal Wheel: The Autumnal Equinox



September 21, is the Autumnal Equinox, the time when night and day are of equal length.
“This time holds the night and day in perfect balance… As the wheel turns towards the dark half of the year we honor the aging of the Great Goddess as she passes to the Crone stage…” says Natalie “Fox” Maisel in her ritual for Mabon, the autumnal equinox (available for download, here.) “At this time we give thanks as we yield our harvests and turn inward for the cold months. This is an auspicious time to finish old business and take time slowing down from the business of the past season.”

Autumn is my favorite time of year. I love it so much, I wish the whole year was autumn. When the air starts to turn cool it’s so invigorating to me. I feel this real internal pull towards center; a deep going in, and in, and in. I feel most creative at this time of year, and deeply intuitive. I also feel a real need to slow down. My yoga sadhanas get deeper, more meditative; lots of long holding postures and slow transitions. I feel especially grateful for fall this year, as it is the first year in many that I am living in a place that has a change of seasons. Last weekend my fiancé and I went to the Blue Ridge Mountains to hike in the cool mountain air and sip hot apple cider as the sun slipped behind those dusky blue ridges. It was incredibly beautiful and peaceful.



As Natalie’s words above highlight for us, this is a wonderful time to heed the natural instincts we are feeling. If you feel a little sleepy, and slow, like you need some time to rest and think, go with it, you are on the right track. This is the season for resting and thinking, for taking inventory of what we have been running around doing all year. I encourage you to take some time to take care of yourself, and give yourself the gift of some processing and transition time in your life. It is also a great time to leave behind things you don't need. Behaviors, relationships, or ways of thinking that are no longer useful to you. As the poet Rumi says, "Change rooms in your mind for a day."

This time of reflection is also a great opportunity to re-establish contact with Gratitude. As you make your inventory of the past year, consider starting a Gratitude Journal, and writing in it daily. I find just a few lines, even a word, helps to keep me rooted in mindfulness and gratitude for “what is”, and makes acceptance of “what isn’t” much easier.

During this change in seasons the body, as well as the mind and spirit, need some special care and assistance. Check back to my blog during the couple weeks. I will have several posts focusing on how to honor and assist your body as it rides this turn of the Seasonal Wheel.

May this autumn season of harvest bring you bounty and blessings in your life-
Teal Marie

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10 comments:

Kate said...

Unless you are in TX. Then it starts on Oct.21st. :)

Kristin said...

Thanks for reminding us to slow down and enjoy the things happening around us.

ICLW

junebug said...

Great Post! It reminded me that I need to find a new yoga class now that I've moved. :-)

Cara said...

I did exactly that yesterday. The business of the world was starting to creep back into my being...so I went to a "high energy" yoga / reiki class taught by one of my best friends.

I'm kinda sore today but I really needed the reminder that my body is priority!

Martha@A Sense of Humor is Essential said...

Autumn is my favorite time of year. Namaste for bringing me to place of peace and calm. *ILCW*

Anonymous said...

Hi - visiting from Blogfight (ICLW). Autumn is the most peaceful time of year for me. I recently joined a yoga class as well, so that should add to that sense of calm. Thanks for the lovely pictures and the reminder to stop and breathe.

Anonymous said...

The picture is gorgeous. Thank you for reminding us to slow down.

CappyPrincess said...

Another autumnal fan here.

Thank you for sharing.


ICLW

Michelle said...

Thanks for the post it was great. Autumn is my favorite time of year. I need to slow down and enjoy it!

Fifty K said...

Wow, I think you nailed Autumn as a season. This was a great blog. I am currently trying to "slow down" and reading this was perfect.

Thanks for stopping by my blog. Not only do I run but getting back into yoga too. I will visiting your blogs a lot I hope. I hope to start a gratituge journal too. Thanks for your wisdom.