Fall

According to the Gregorian calendar we’ve only been experiencing fall here in the northern hemisphere for less than two weeks – since the autumnal equinox on September 22. Did the cooler weather and changing leaves sneak up on you again?

Perhaps that’s because Mother Earth has had this all in preparation since about August 1. There’s a Celtic celebration at that time (one of the names is Lammas) that is the start of the autumn season. So rather than abruptly downshifting from summer to fall on September 22, Mother has been gearing up for the changes for about six weeks.

We can easily be caught off guard by ignoring the signs all around us. The days didn’t suddenly turn cooler on September 22; there’s been a slight trending in that direction. All the leaves didn’t just begin to lose their leaves; some started over a month ago.

We’ve been noticing the small outdoor residents (rabbits, squirrels and chipmunks) on our farmette stashing away goodies for the winter or for when they come out of hibernation in the spring. Logistically I haven’t a clue where the spring flowers will show up since the squirrels are re-decorating the gardens. Instinctually, however, they are planning ahead.

That’s not always something we humans are so stellar about doing. We notice a pound or two, but still go for the extra scoop of ice cream. We stay silent when someone with whom we work discriminates against another or tells an off-color joke, yet decry the atrocities of Darfur as being so terrible. We wish so-and-so would do such-and-such, but while we’re judging others find we are oblivious to our own character defects.

So it seems the gist of this week’s blog is about awareness and taking action to better our lives. If we are living mindful lives we will take time to be consciously aware of our surroundings – not seeing what we want to see, but what truly is. Then we can take the next step to changing what we feel we want to change.

Enjoy the cooler weather of fall if you are in our neck of the woods. Remembering that since the Celtic season of autumn began August 1 that puts the beginning of winter (or Yule) on November 1. Your holiday shopping is done, right?

In Spirit, Truth and Playfulness,

Terry