As summer ends and the cool, crisp days of autumn arrive, the time of harvest is a celebration... The word "harvest" is defined as "the process of gathering.." and is also a time of the end of the growing season. Throughout most of human history, the gathering or harvesting was done by hand. That quite simple fact, albeit profound in it's scope, speaks to the significance and enduring value of "harvest"...a time of gathering...
It is interesting to ponder that the end of "growing" and the act of "gathering" speaks to us on many levels. Growing, growth, the cultivation of new crops, new efforts, new beginnings.... this can mean many things... Gathering speaks of bringing to us the blessings of growth...our gardens.. but surely also the experiences and progress we have made along the "growing season". And now...a period a bit more restful...after that final harvest is complete...when we can gather onto ourselves the fruits of our labors... the vegetables we labored over... the trees which bore us fruits...the wood pile prepared to bring us heat in the coming frosts...
Both the outer world...and our inner world...our homes and cottages...our hearts and spirits... offer a new warmth and welcome as this season of plenty begins...
As we recreate our inside "space"...our nest.. let us add that "coziness" and warmth to befriend us through the coming months... a stack of new books to provide us with entertainment during the longer nights... some comfy cushions in a welcoming corner near the hearth... a pair of crocheted slippers to warm our feet against the chill.. touches of the newness of what we have gathered this past season... along with our old and trusted treasures of our past....
Have we welcomed a new hobby, a new job, a new friend? Welcome them to share our bounty!!! And have we ( finally ) shed some old and unneeded possessions, clutter, thoughts, JOBS... (-: acquaintances.... ? Bid them a fond "adieu" as we sweep them forward...making space for what we now cherish.... Imagine doing so with a handcrafted wooden broom.... swoosh...out of our open door.... taken away by the fullness of harvest winds..... as we begin to bask in the "newness" of us.... the gathering of that which speaks to us..... and harkens us to truly "hear" the enduring message of the harvest....
The Autumnal Equinox "equal night", will be on September 22nd..at 4:44pm. This is a special and meaningful time... it heralds the passing of the growth season...summer..and celebrates the new harvest.....the season of gathering...
Celebrate the Solstice in your gardens and in your homes...but most importantly within your spirits....
Happy Autumn!
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