In the Fall, deciduous trees shed their leaves and retreat their energy into their heartwood and roots. They have no purpose for leaves that will gather next to nothing in terms of sunlight and the cold would cause leaf cells to burst, so they simply take their energy within and wait till the spring. In that time they are called “dormant”... not dead. Even though they appear almost identical to a dead tree. They are in their roots. They have come home to their most basic parts.

If we take a close look at nature, we realize that every animal and plant has cycles that they repeat... except humans. Most have taken themselves out of the solar cycle and seem to think that they should operate in winter the same way they would in winter. This will led to illness, burnout, resentment, anxiety, and depression.

If we DO cycle with nature we will find that Autumn is THE time to shed that which you embraced that no longer serves you OR to get rid of a part of your personality that just doesn’t fit anymore. It’s also a time to uncover aspects of ourselves that may have been over shadowed or untapped. If we take a cue from nature we will see that retreating within and deeper into the earth is rejuvenating, freeing, and creates more ease. We can build stronger connections to our roots and rebound in the spring with the rest of nature.

Here are a few methods to embrace the energy of Fall and the cycles of nature.

RITUALS:

Use rituals as a way to harness the dark months instead of letting them overpower you.

Rituals are something you will revisit multiple times a week for reinforcement. These should be kept simple are we are “shedding and simplifying ” and not “accumulating and manifesting". Embracing the present and not wishing for what has passed nor what may lay ahead.

• Examples: Making a cup of tea when you feel chilled to remind yourself that you have inner warmth.
• Setting lights on timers so that they are already lit when the sunsets. Bonus: get some special decorative lamps/lights for the colder months that feel special to you.
• Taking a walk a few times a week to shed stagnant energy and reconnect with nature.
• Praying for strength to uncouple from your burdens or Meditating on the present.
• Cleaning out your home from the objects you know you would throw away if you had to move (do this in phases starting with broken objects and things that haven’t proven useful in over 2 years (NOT TOOLS unless you have doubles... you’ll need them as soon as you toss them. Ask me how I know....)

AUTUMN ALTERS

Gathering up LOCAL natural objects that reflect “Autumn/Winter” to you. I suggest doing this on a dry day or drying the items out thoroughly so that any organic matter doesn’t grown mold in your home. Let the items be of different heights, dimensions, and textures. Make a day out of it or schedule a “gathering” walk once a week. Set images of loved ones passed on this alter, they have already shed the ultimate weight and should be seen as pioneers. Look on them with a simple love that acknowledges that love is the ultimate gift. Also, any statues, lights, and trinkets that connect to you spiritually should always be placed on alters.

Place your alter where you can pass by it daily. Make sure it gathers NO DUST!

You can also start to prepare a Winter Alter outside now. Doing so in January might be less than fun. I like to put a bird feeder and food (squashes, apples, larger nuts) for my squirrels here. Check that any berries you place here are not poisonous to your native wildlife. While birds can eat many toxic berries, many mammals can not. A hungry squirrel is not going to inspect every scrap of food. I don't start feeding the wildlife in my yard until the ground is frozen and the weather becomes bitter. While I want to help them out, it’s best if they still retain their foraging instincts.

Rekindling a Simple Hobby

This one is my FAVORITE Autumn Ritual/Traditions. Some families do this with foods during the holidays (digging up old recipes). This can also be taking up sewing, like your grandma used to do. Trying wood working, like your grandfather did. Other ideas could be; Re-painting an old piece of furniture, Metal Working, Getting back into Fantasy Novels, Pottery Classes, Baking bread, etc. Just because Fall is about shedding, doesn’t mean we dont do anything. It about simplifying and returning to our roots. Don't worry if your rememberable family never threw a pot or carved a spoon. Your ancestors did. Enjoy the simplicity in the hobby, do not try to expand on it and make it harder. The time for that will come.

PURGE YOUR HOME

Autumn Cleaning is just as important as Spring Cleaning. Do this before the Winter Solstice. Not only will you be donating objects that someone could pick up for a gift, but Winter is the wrong season to let go of things (unless you absolutely have to). I mentioned this above as a ritual but I want to reinforce how important it is. When we purge that which is just taking up space and is of no use, we allow the energy in our homes to flow more freely. This is also a great time to reorganize so your home can feel like a sanctuary and not just a storage container with a street address.

These are just a few ways to bring the energy of Autumn into your world. If you have any comments, please feel free to leave them below.

Till next time.