“Autumn shows us how beautiful it is to let things go.”
Anonymous
Sometimes coming back into balance requires an action of letting go and the turn of seasons into Autumn is a beautiful invitation for this. This week at 02.03 AM on 23rd September is the Autumn Equinox, or Mabon, in the Northern Hemisphere – the magical threshold and cross point in the wheel of the year, where for a moment the light and dark come into balance. Equinox is from the Latin words ‘aequus’, meaning equal, and ‘nox’, meaning night, it is one of two moments in the year when day and night are equal in length. It marks the start of a new season and of the harvest time when the crops of summer are abundant and ripe. Following this point, the darkness descends, the nights continue to lengthen and nature slowly turns inward for the Winter.
At FARA we are endlessly inspired by Nature and seek wisdom in her cycles and through witnessing her effortless patterns of flow, change and adaptability. As Autumn sets in we are reminded of the nature of impermanence, that everything is always in a state of change. As the colours of nature turn from green to oranges and golden brown and the leaves fall from the trees we are shown that decay and death are inevitable. Yet nature lets go with such grace, rooted in the innate wisdom and trust of the greater cycles and rhythms that weave creation together – we are forever in awe of the beauty, power and intelligence of that grace.
We have adored the bright summer energies, witnessing our gorgeous community glow and celebrate their inner goddess, beachside or on city breaks, draped in our favourite summer pieces. But we are also ready for the comfort of the shortening of the days, pulling on layers, cosy cardigans and warm socks, feet crunching on the fallen leaves on long walks. We are part of nature and we are cyclical creatures and these coming months are a time for us to slow down, to get quiet and listen. We can reflect on the areas of our life that we feel off centre or the ways in which we can regulate our output of energy so that we can restore balance.
What are the habits and patterns we have on repeat that have depleted us or the dynamics within relationships that we are ready to let go of – sometimes it can be terrifying to let go, to release something that is familiar or comfortable. Yet again we can look to nature and be reminded of how the process of letting go creates space for deep rest, listening and visioning and is essential for renewal and rebirth.
That creative power lies within within these cyclical rhythms.
Here at FARA we are devotees of the Divine Feminine in all of her forms and we recognise that the goddess within each of us also needs this time to rest and to turn inwards. That time in the metaphorical cocoon gives us vital time and space, for both decay and renewal.
In India we are preparing right now for Navratri that begins in just a few days time. Navratri is the Hindu ‘nine nights’ festival of the goddess, a celebration which invites and reflects the potency of this time for reflection and transformation. It calls for us to engage in contemplation and stillness. When we let our mind and heart soften and quieten into the darkness it is like mud settling in a vast lake. The water stills and becomes clear, we can see where we need to let go, what we need to shift to come back into alignment, into balance. Nature truly is our greatest teacher, we just need to witness and learn from Her absolute grace, surrender and presence within all processes.
If you were to listen and feel, how do these cycles of nature long to express through you?
What are you ready to let go of?
What freedom or gift could that space offer you?
Change is always happening and each moment is unique, the practice of gratitude teaches us to remember this and supports us in the experience of now.
As we get cosy here in England and also prepare for the season over in Goa we are listening to the ways in which we are being asked to surrender, to flow and adapt. We are creating space for balance and we are planting the seeds of our visions to germinate through the coming winter months.
We wish each of you a peaceful transition and journey into the months ahead.
