Summer is over, and autumn’s energy is quickly surrounding us which will lead us to an inward movement. What we must do during the next three months, physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually, is to prepare for winter. As we live in a world where outward actions predominate, inward movement can be interpreted as an unpleasant experience, resistances arise and with them, reluctance, lack of motivation, and apathy. However, the internal realm can also be very active with the big difference is that it is done all from within. It is a good time to reflect on the changes we need to make in our lives, to organize ourselves or prepare for a new beginning.
Nature itself also makes a slow descent in an inward retreat. The colouring golden, reddish and orange of fields and forests announces the eventual arrival of the cold and silent winter. The nights begin to be longer and the sap of the trees begins to retreat to the roots. By observing Mother Nature we can accompany our “descent” into stillness alongside it. The energy of autumn invites us to release our own leaves that represent out habits, mental programming, food choices, etc. giving us the opportunity to leave behind what no longer serves our Higher purpose.
Throughout history, women and men of different cultures have celebrated the arrival of autumn by promoting the encounter with our ancestors and also symbolically representing the death and the rebirth of some divinities.
On a physical level many people also catch a cold or experience digestive problems, however in most cases we should simply understand this as our body cleaning itself. For this reason it is a good time to do some type of purifying diet by choosing the fruits that our land is giving us, Warming our body with good broths of turnips and other roots to prepare us for the arrival of the cold, and infusions of cinnamon, lime and sage to decongest.
Isn’t it wonderful to discover that we are cyclical? That we continually transform? I invite you to honour this transformative time: honouring our roots, reconciling with our family, respecting and appreciating it, if we feel grateful to our ancestors who have come before us and reconnect with them, life itself will bring us abundance. How nice is to have the opportunity to create again a space to enjoy warm foods, lighting a good fire or white candles to affirm the light that during that time of darkness will help us not to lose ourselves in our journey inwards.
Carlos Salazar ND
