I have often said I’d rather live 75 years in New England than 500 years in Lothlorian, but then again, I’m from New England, and “everyone knows” it’s the best place to live. (I daresay people where you live know why that’s the best place too.) But I love the variety, we have snowy winters, hot summers, a brief (but buggy) spring, and glorious autumns! I love Fall. Our family’s autumn equinox tradition is to go out on the front porch and blow a horn to welcome the return of the fall.
Most people are so excited about spring, they celebrate it at Imbolc when the snow is the deepest around here! They celebrate it again at Ostara (mud season), and Beltane (when it’s still too early to put out tomatoes in the garden). “The Goddess returns!” (From where? I’m thinking the Southern Hemisphere. It was more mysterious when the traditions were created, but now we can imagine the Lord and Lady switching hemispheres as they follow their chosen seasons.) But who welcomes the coming of the dark half of the year? Yes, many of us are nuts for Halloween decorations, that time of year when everyone can “come out of the broom closet” with impunity. I know lots of fans of “Pumpkin Spice” in just about everything. But looking forward to cold and dark isn’t something most of us do easily.

But when we embrace the natural cycles, we can learn about the world from the lessons nature teaches. Since I’ve been talking about trees this year, I’m going to point out that this is the time of the year when the trees let their roles as oxygen factories go, the chlorophyll drains from the leaves, and allows them to show their true colors. The reds and golds were there all year, just covered up by the green because the trees were working hard. But before they let their leaves fall to become mulch and then part of the soil, they have a few glorious weeks of showing off their true colors. We as humans get to do that as we age, and no longer need to wear protective coloration in order to keep our jobs. We spend a few years expressing our true feelings, and letting the chips fall where they may. Not everyone of course. There is as much variety in people as in trees, and some folks are more like the evergreens (who are most appreciated in winter), but at this time of year provide wonderful contrast for their showier deciduous fellows!

I also have noticed that when the leaves have fallen away, we often see fruits remaining: apples, in orchards that have not been harvested, rose hips and bittersweet. They cling more firmly to that which they’ve spent so much effort producing. What lessons can you draw from the trees as they live through the seasons? What lessons do the trees and the cycle of the year teach you? I am sure it’s different for those who don’t live in New England, but just as profound. So welcome the change of seasons, and the different blessings each one brings. Every month has its lesson, every day its new epiphany. Embrace the blessings of each time even as you make preparations for the next season or holiday. And even if you aren’t in the autumn of your life, let your true colors shine through!