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It is fall - my favorite time of year! Closely to be followed by my second favorite - winter. (It may help to put this into perspective by saying that I am winter's child - born at the end of December, and lovingly remembering every chilly Minnesota second of my childhood!) As each season has it's ceremonies - so does fall.
I am not speaking public ceremony here, or even necessarily formal ceremony. I am speaking more of personal rituals, of acts performed from love of land, and love of the change going on around me. I can stand in my doorway, with a cup of coffee in my hand, and gaze over the back yard. The sun is bright, the air is chilly and the ground shows evidence of falling leaves - although this is still in the beginning stages - the trees are still full of green leaves, and the plums and apples are still there for the picking. I don't even mind doing the raking of the leaves - because my mind drifts back to a childhood filled with raking the leaves together with a bunch of other kids, runing and leaping into them, then raking them up all over again! We found the simple joys of childhood here - and I thank the creator that I had parents who valued happiness above a pristine yard.
Fall is a time when Mother Nature slows down, getting herself ready for the winter months of hibernation. This is an important part of the earths cycle of life. Perhaps we two leggeds can take a cue, and look at where we are in our cycle of life. Some of the most important aspects of fall ceremony for me are connected with the yard, with life in the open spaces. I like to walk amongst the trees, listening to all of the life around me. I like to marvel at the changing foliage, at the bright colors ... and yes, I like to kick the leaves in front of me!
In my personal way, I am honoring and respecting what Mother Nature has presented me with. I make the attempt to slow my own life down, to give thanks for the abundance around me, and to take a personal "time out". I look at who I am, at the image that I am projecting. I look to see if I have remained on my path, or if I have strayed. It is a time to look back, and a time to release that which no longer serves me.
In a less material way, I fully take part in the season. October 1st my Halloween decorations go up. If a hollowed out pumpkin would last for more than two days - it would go up on October 1st also! I start the winter of making soups, I get out my pumpkin pie and cookie recipes, I haul out my Halloween cookie cutters. My male cat Maxie shares the chaise lounge on the porch with a stuffed scarecrow. I love to go through the stores - both to see what they have and to, some years, add to what I have.
These are my ceremonies. The small things that make up our lives. May you fully enjoy this season, each in his/her own way. May you take the time to look back, to take stock of where you are and to look forward. May the small chores bring back good memories - memories to be shared with those around you.
Thank you for visiting my Ceremony pages. May your day be Blessed.
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