Greetings, Dear Family and Friends,
Sending you a big smile this day. I delight in awakening on a Friday morning to the realisation, ''Ah yes, this is Sunny Optimist writing day.'' During the week, I play with ideas and content, but I know to wait for Friday to finalise my writing. I like to shut myself into a happy, creative space for as long as I need to feel complete with each week's edition. Thank you for being on this journey with me, it truly enhances my wellbeing.
Following the Seasonal Cycles.
Next Tuesday (the 21st) will be the Equinox when day and night are of equal length. The Equinox is a time of turning that carries subtle signals of changes to come. Light and temperature are shifting, birds congregate as they get ready to migrate, and the leaves on the trees are beginning to turn. There is a sense of anticipation in the air, AND we have not entirely left the summer behind yet.
This time of turning brought me to reflect on the seasonal cycles. I love the image below, which captures the Celtic Wheel of the Year. It details the eight celebrations held throughout the year and highlights the focus of each season. The Autumn Equinox heralds the move from the 'growing' time of summer to 'harvesting.' the bounty that will sustain us as we move to the winter.
My heart lifts as I contemplate the image above, and I can feel my optimism rising. There is a predictability to the seasons that is so reassuring. In the midst of all the unpredictability and uncertainty around us, Mother Earth knows what she is doing. She is not deflected or distracted by what is happening. She just rises above and settles into her natural rhythms and flow. I appreciate this knowing encourages us to rise above our concerns and relax into the natural flow of our lives. Mmmmmm.
Preparing for this Time of Turning
This week, it feels right to spend some time honouring this time of turning in our lives. So I have recorded the September guided visualisation from the Dorothea Breitzer-Kings book Meditation Through the Years, called Autumn Equinox: Time of Abundance. A huge thank you to my voice coach and buddy Tim Uffindell for the music accompanying the guided visualisation.
This is now the 8th recording I have made of her work, and I still love the beauty and simplicity of her words. Dorothea invites us to connect with the beauty of nature and to really look at the bounty that surrounds us. She also reminds us of the benevolence of Mother Earth that gives without expecting anything from us in return. There is great love for us in the natural world if we stop, rest, and renew our innate connection with it.
And so, I invite you to listen to the recording and then spend time out in nature if you can. Take the questions with you and see what guidance and gifts appear to sustain you. Please click here or on the photo below to listen.
Questions for this Week.
And so, dear ones, my questions for you today are;
In what ways can you honour this time of turning in your life?
What joy can you harvest from the place of abundance?
Where can you go to refresh yourself, and reconnect with the natural world?
As always, I would love to hear from you.
Ann
Thank you, Ann. Lovely meditation after we had hiked and sat under an oak and soaked in nature’s gifts. Perfect timing for that to be followed by you meditation! 💕💫
I was just thinking yesterday. The sun was so bright. Had it not been fir my calendar I’d have thought it was Spring.
Autumn and Spring must surely be twins. Reflected in the mirror both filled with warmth and heartfelt sunlight in the right proportions. Apart from the position of the sun and the direction in which the birds travel there is little difference I think. Both bringers of joy in the hope of the eternal songs in the magical instantaneity of the moment
Life can sometimes seem perfect in its stillness brightness hopes and optimism. Thoroughly beautiful in reflection I believe.
Have a lovely week Ann
Best wishes from Richard x