The last few mornings have been chilly, and there’s that distinctive feel of fall in the air. The leaves on black walnut trees are turning yellow and dropping to the ground, pops of bright red are appearing in roadside ditches, and clumps of purple asters mingle with deep yellow false sunflowers in the prairie, surrounding the browned remains of summer’s coneflower and bergamot.
Yes, autumn is well and truly here -- it arrived with the autumnal equinox on Sunday, September 22nd. At this moment, days and nights are of equal length as we hover halfway between the summer solstice on June 21st (longest day of the year), and the winter solstice on December 21 (shortest day of the year). We’ve just left the half of the year with the longest days, and begin the descent into the dark half. You’ve probably noticed darkness creeping in earlier each night.
The beautiful thing about tuning into the change of the seasons is that when we mirror the natural world in our own rhythms, we find purposeful alignment. If you notice yourself feeling more tired, or less motivated to be social, follow the nudges. The natural world is turning inward, it is exhaling, and so shall we. Nature builds in time to emerge, grow and bloom, and it also builds in time to shake off its seeds, shrink back, and go dormant. Nature can’t have one without the other. Neither can we.
Especially if you are a person who struggles with the shift into the dark half of the year, you might attempt a reframe: what will I do with the opportunity that autumn offers to reflect, to turn inward? What did I bring into fruition at the peak of summer’s light? And what do I need to refine and shift during this blessed pause? Be intentional -- how will I take time to process? In meditation, through journaling, on a nature walk? It’s such a beautiful time to be outdoors and witness the change in real time.
We’re also under a waning moon until the new moon in Libra next week on October 2nd. A waning crescent moon relates to the archetype of autumn: reflection and refinement. Invite this energy into your life as you embrace the seasonal shift.
Want to go deeper?
Join Lindsey for New Moon Circle on Wednesday, October 2nd from 7-9 p.m., where you’ll be energetically held and supported as you turn inward. Expect astrology insights, meditation, journaling, sharing around the circle and gentle movement as we embrace the ritual of women gathering under the dark moon.
