Welcoming Seasonal Change
We experience four seasonal shifts each calendar year: two solstices, marking the shortest and longest days of the year, and two equinoxes, when the hours of daylight and darkness are equal. The solstices mark the beginning of winter and summer, but the palpable seasonal turns happen in the spring and autumn when we can sense the energetic transition to a new phase in life. There’s a move toward outward activity and growth in the spring and then a shift inward toward less activity and release in the fall.
You can feel those shifts, can’t you? Think of the energy of spring and summer. It’s like a wave that slowly builds, starting with the anticipation we feel as winter begins to ease. We begin to make plans for those long summer days that are on the horizon.
As nature starts to wake, so do we, feeling more playful and energetic. Spring rains remind us of the importance of our own spring cleaning. There’s a sense of expansion, of doing, of gathering with friends outside, getting stuff done and cutting loose a bit. It’s a cycle of blooming.
The momentum grows at summer solstice with peak energy and intensifying heat. The focus is on having fun, being active and enjoying carefree summer days. It’s a cycle of growth.
We can begin to sense the shift into autumn about a month before the equinox. The apex of activity gives way to more balance and calm. We can sense the summer winding down in spite of the warm weather. Perhaps we crave rest and start to slow a bit. We begin to get ready for more of a routine at school or work.
The inward focus intensifies as the days grow shorter and colder. We begin to prepare for the months ahead by gathering, harvesting and storing. In the fullness of winter, with holiday celebrations in our wake, life slows and can seem bare and fallow, even as we know spring is on the horizon and the cycle begins once more.
As I write this, the trees that surround me in New Jersey are beginning to turn from green to the hues of autumn. The squirrels are busy preparing for the lean months ahead, as are the deer, turkeys and bears. The heron I see on my afternoon walks will soon fly south.
This time of year, we naturally turn inward toward rest and reflection. It can be a time for acknowledging growth and accomplishments by reviewing all that was experienced during the year. And it can be a time for grieving and releasing what was lost or what wasn’t done.
Letting go can be the hard part, which is where reminders from the natural world become helpful. What would happen if trees didn’t shed their leaves, if the fields weren’t fallow periodically, if animals didn’t hibernate? Letting go is an act of renewal, of preparing for new growth that’s to come. It’s a wonderful time to reassess and reprioritize – a time to trust what you need to release, to rebalance inner lightness and darkness, and to prepare for what’s ahead.
The autumn season also brings ample opportunity for gratitude and celebration for the bounty in our lives and to appreciate all we’ve experienced with those we love. And then, as the height of autumn activity evolves into winter dormancy, we can embrace the empty space and spend time listening to allow a new vision to emerge.
Here are some suggestions for harnessing, balancing and aligning with the energy of the autumn season:
Body
Grounding: There are numerous ways to use your senses to ground yourself: the sight of the fall colors, the sound of leaves crunching, the scent soil and fire pits, the taste of pumpkin and ginger and chai, the feeling of wearing a warm sweater during a long walk in the fresh air.
Nourishment: Autumn is all about the harvest and a wonderful time to eat seasonally – think soups and stews and chilis. Produce that’s in season include squash, figs, blackberries, grapes, plums, oranges and chestnuts, to name a few.
Self-care: Do you need to make wellness routine adjustments to accommodate the change in temperature and daylight? How about sleep? After the spring growth and summer activity, our bodies need to integrate our experiences through deep rest. This can also be a good time to think about how to prepare your immune system for the winter months.
Physical Space
Hearth: In keeping with the season, it’s a great time for harvesting, gathering and releasing. This includes stocking up on dry goods, preserving food, chopping and stacking wood, collecting kindling, winterizing anything that will be exposed to the elements, cleaning, purging, decluttering, and changing out summer and winter clothes.
Sanctuary: How can you make your corner of the world a place to nest and nourish yourself, perhaps with candlelight, blankets and warm beverages? In this place of comfort, the year can begin to assimilate and the seeds for the new year can begin to take shape.
Mind
Reflect: Autumn is a great time to refresh routine and plan for the new year that may still be months away. If you could rethink your life design, what would it look like? You can work with that question by holding and meditating on it, journaling about it, or have a conversation with a trusted loved one.
Explore: When entering the colder months, here’s a favorite question: What do I want to learn? Do you feel any curious or creative nudges to explore? What will keep you engaged throughout the winter months?
Spirit
Quiet: The nicest way to settle into the quiet of the season is to create that cozy sanctuary spot and just enjoy it. Perhaps it’s an early morning cup of coffee, reading a few pages of an inspirational book or listening to a podcast after everyone has gone to bed – quality time just for you.
Pause: Whenever you’re ready to go beyond a few quiet moments each day, you can begin to think about how you might press "pause" on commitments and obligations that aren’t aligning with how you’re feeling. What can you do to minimize your energy expenditure, especially around the holidays?
You may find, like I do, that when you take the time to mindfully navigate the holiday season, you’ll be ready to embrace the new year come January, which is such a great feeling.
Whatever choices you make, I hope you find this season meaningful – filled with bountiful harvests, enriching celebrations, and deep connections.
Journal Reflections: What are you looking forward to as the seasons change? Are wellness routine adjustments needed? How can you begin to mindfully prepare for the holiday season in a way that feels congruent?