Autumn: Always A Beginning

Autumn is coming on fast. In some parts of the country and in the world, summer’s end was wet, incessant rains and hurricanes that early on felled trees and leaves, smashing grass and crops with a blanket of soggy vegetation and shorn tree limbs. Such weather patterns contrast with drought and dryness in other parts of America and the world. What does nature know that we do not about the length of our days? Why do some regions have bounty and others experience loss? Is there something we need to atone for?

I’m sure there is. If I were still living in California, I would be yearning for rain. But back in the Midwest, I can enjoy the grass shortening its growth, the leaves on trees beginning to turn, and yes, all the crab apples on my tree have fallen. My chore of raking them up is over!

Though still enjoying pots of pink impatience, very soon cooler weather will call attention to my gold, burnt ocher mums, my grouping of pumpkins on the front porch. Already my autumn welcome sign is hung and a wreath of yellow leaves will soon blaze on my front door. This is my time, autumn always a beginning.

A CLEARER PICTURE 

When things fall back toward earth, the outlines of garden and lawn, of walkway and road become more apparent. Such a precise definition creates a sense of order, organization. In fall there are memories of wild vines and riotous summer flower color. But now it’s best to be satisfied with quieter denser things like clipped boxwood and evergreens, bare tree trunks of grey, soft brown. The air is cool. The skies seem swept up too, presenting swathes of crystal color. Cold air outlines things so definitively, you can almost see each leaf and branch.

A TIME FOR CONTEMPLATION 

Definition and order soothes the soul, autumn being a time to put things away in their place, remember that most things in the outer world will quietly sleep, waiting for reawakening. In autumn we put the garden to bed, energy now honored and stored. Autumn becomes a time to read, contemplate, make decisions, draw those we love even closer.

And if you seek solace and quiet, this is your time. For as we move inside to live, as we place bright things around us, those reminders of sunshine–a pumpkin, a sheaf of leaves, flowered pillows, candlelight–it can become a time to move inward in our thinking–to meditate, determine more and more exactly who we are, and where we are going.

Autumn decorations remind us of endings that are resolute, that leave us feeling blessed, not sorrowful. Autumn is atonement for Jewish people, but so appropriate for all of us to tidy up our souls as the earth is preparing for sleep, hibernation. Now more than ever, we should atone for the problems we’ve caused, try to mediate our expressions of anger. And certainly, if we’ve hurt someone, time to ask forgiveness; and if someone has hurt us, find a way to forgive that person, to lighten the loads we often carry.

SETTLING IN 

In autumn we pick fruits and veggies for canning. We stock up on walks, hikes, bike rides before winter winds change the atmosphere. For despite our modern world, we still need to engage our ability to survive. And though it might be  early, there will come a time as the days get shorter when we will settle back into our brains, examine who we are, where we are going, how we might improve. Life cannot be lived like the riot of spring where nature blows her wad, lets everything grow, rush about. We enjoyed fertility. Now it’s time to be more judicious in our use of harvest fruits; we need to carefully use and share our bounty.

Then in the spring, when life comes back, we have no fears for the future. But in autumn, we need to count jars in the cellar, apples in the basket, sins on the soul. We need to tidy our lives, draw within to discover how we will survive, how we will make it through the darker times of life. How we will help others through their darker times.

FINAL THOUGHT 

In each of us is a light within. Sharing that light draws bounty, brings good things to us whether the world is hard-packed snow or dry desert. Autumn can provide a time for atonement. Winter and beyond can be full of the light of love as the grace of forgiving brings warmth, reclaims love. If you are feeling like all the days of your life are hard, cold winter, then it’s time to open up to those around you,  share the light within you. IT WILL BRING YOU HAPPINESS. As a wise woman once said to me: “Feeling sad today? Then go out and help someone else.” She was right.

(Credit: picture above, the art of a lovely person on Face Book.)

 

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