At autumnal equinox, day and night are in equal balance. It marks the beginning of increasingly shorter daylight hours and longer nights, and it’s right around the corner on September 22, 2024. When the summer fun is done, and fall makes her subtle debut, we human beings can become the epitome of “human doings”! Waning daylight triggers an even more frantic pace to get things done. Fall’s vibrant colors, scents, and sounds can fly right by if we are not mindful about this spectacular changing season. Those in colder climates may experience anxiety or even dread as winter approaches. How to find balance? Ancient agrarian civilizations perspective can help us to navigate autumn’s gifts and challenges. Let’s explore some of those!
Ancient Harvest Celebrations: The autumnal equinox has long been honored by ancient cultures as a time to be grateful for the harvest of grains, fruits, and veggies that will provide sustenance during a long, cold winter. Consider that a “harvest” can be literal or ontological. Aspirations, dreams, plans, projects, and goals can become part of a personal seasonal wheel. Do some of the celebrations noted here inspire you to celebrate a harvest of your own?
- To the Druids, fall equinox was Mea’n Fo’mhair, as they celebrated the middle harvest of three; the first being Lughnasa and the third, Samhain. This was a time to acknowledge endings of all kinds, to break old habits, to let go of worn-out things, and to consider what is left to accomplish before winter’s chill comes calling.
- In China, the Mid-Autumn Festival is held at September’s full moon. Also known as the harvest moon, this year it occurs on September 17th, just days prior to the equinox. This is a public holiday in China and is observed in many Asian cultures around the globe. It is a time of thanksgiving, family, friends, and the coming harvest. Celebrations include storytelling, hanging colorful paper lanterns, moon worship, and mooncakes.
- In Mexico, the Maya refer to this day as “the descent of the feathered serpent” and marks the time to harvest corn. The Temple of Kukulkán at Chichén Itzá draws thousands of visitors each year to witness the descent, celebrate the light, and a connection between the earth and the spirit world.
- Modern neopagan circles refer to this timing as Harvest Home or Mabon, a name that is only recently been connected to the equinox on the Celtic Wheel of the Year. It is a time to give thanks for the harvest, to acknowledge balance, and to observe the early signs of decline in the natural world.
Today’s Celebrations: In the USA harvest celebrations, fairs, and festivals center around apples, cranberries, and pumpkins. Polka, Oompa music, German clothing, crafts, schnitzel and beer are features of the ever-beloved Oktoberfest. Many US cities host Oktoberfest between mid-September and until late October. If you are not off to a festival, the equinox can be a time to take a deep breath and find your inner balance. Taking time that day to do yoga, journal, express gratitude, be with nature, or just to relax and daydream can bring an increased awareness to personal harvest needs, desires, and achievements. Some additional ways to celebrate:
- Create a focal point as a visual reminder for this day of balance. Draw a Yin/Yang symbol or create a simple arrangement inside or outside, using any combination of nature’s seasonal gifts: dried flowers or leaves, corn husks, acorns or other nuts, apples, squash, or peppers. Decorate with fabric or ribbons of orange, yellow, gold, purple, or forest green.
- Flowers that are popular to welcome fall are chrysanthemums, asters, ironweed, sunflowers, hypericum, and goldenrod.
- Make Soup! ‘Tis the season for savory vegan soups, and our cookbook, Recipes from the Food Doctor and Friends features several favorites. This is a great recipe for Butternut Soup from the Forks over Knives collection.
- Enjoy apples! Eat them sliced with peanut or almond butter. Bake an apple pie, crisp, or tart. For an easy-to-make dessert, try baked apples. Serve these warm with a scoop of vegan vanilla ice cream.
- Reflect on personal harvest needs, desires, and achievements. What has been accomplished this year? What is left to achieve? Is assistance or support needed to bring a goal to fruition? If so, are you open to receiving assistance? Is there a need or desire for more or less of something in life? If so, try making a vision board to inspire and support those needs and desires. Anything to let go of? If so, when and how will that happen? Are the busy times balanced with introspection, rest, and quiet time? If not, what steps are needed to achieve more balance?
Autumnal Care Notes
Fall is such a beautiful season. Ferns, grasses, trees, and bushes adorn themselves for a showy last hurrah; the greens of summer changing to gold, crimson, and orange. Chill air grows heady with the smell of composting leaves, woodsmoke, and pumpkin spice. Autumnal wreaths, corn stalks, gourds, and pumpkins appear in yards and on porches. Summer clothes are packed away in favor of knit sweaters and hats. Boots replace sandals. Hearty root veggie stews replace raw leafy greens. Yes, guileless autumn sneaks up on us, gently, gradually, as is nature’s way. Magical yet bittersweet – fall; the beautiful season of dying. This delightful season can give rise to feelings of anticipatory grief, anxiety about approaching winter (or mortality), and/or as I previously noted, “end-of-summer blues”. Those feelings alongside a need to “bring in the harvest” can distract us from enjoying the finer aspects of autumn. Here are some ways to meet those edges.
- Open to the season – One of the most noted regrets of hospice patients is that they didn’t balance work or financial goal achievement with other aspects of life (creativity, fun, health, enjoyment, family, friends). Slowing down from the frantic pace to take in fall’s beauty has benefits that can help us to gracefully bring in the “final harvest” and prepare for winter. Yes, that beauty may be bittersweet or a reminder of sad endings. But being open, mindful, and fully present to autumn’s gifts can also be healing. Step outside and just breathe.
- Discuss end-of-life needs, wishes, concerns ~ Nature’s changes in fall can bring declining health or agency into sharper focus for anyone. Statistically, winter mortality rates are 8-12% higher than those in summer. Talking about death and dying is never easy, but if mortality concerns are coming up, a conversation can help to reduce anxiety and empower important decision making. Consider using The Five Wishes to serve as a conversation guide. If needed, seek assistance from a hospice social worker, bereavement counselor, or chaplain about how to listen to and hold space for the conversation.
- Prepare – With several weeks before the snow flies, it’s time to prepare for a safe, cozy winter. See that blankets, warm clothes, food, medication, computers, phones, and assistive devices are in place for care recipients. Have the furnace inspected and winterize vehicles. Arrange for snow removal. Assemble an emergency kit and have a plan ready for winter power outages. Pace yourself as you prepare!
- Balance activity and rest ~ This is difficult for some folks and especially so for caregivers. Nightly sleep is often not enough to recharge a weary caregiver. Taking several mini breaks throughout the day to meditate, listen to music, take a walk, or just relax can provide a needed boost. The twenty-minute cat nap is very useful and greatly underutilized in our busy culture. Give it a try to rejuvenate and recharge!
On the Blog: The Long Covid Series is my personal account of living with LC. Recent entries include: Radical Acceptance, Better, Not Normal and Dysautonomia. The ABC’s for Living Well now features “X” is for Xing (Crossing) Parts 1, 2, and 3. Past newsletters are also available on the blog.
Quotes for Season: How beautifully leaves grow old. How full of light and color are their last days. ~ John Burroughs, Nature Essayist
May all beings be safe, well, happy, and content.