Dear, Beautiful and Cherished Children of the Earth,
Summer is coming to an end. The Autumnal Equinox, Mabon, when Day and Night are of equal length, is here. We can feel the "turning of the Wheel" in the changing of the light. Night falls a little earlier each day.
Four times a year, at the Equinoxes and Solstices, we mark the changing of the Seasons. Every Season lasts for three months. On the pagan calendar, these times of change are marked as holy days, sacred days, days to step away from our normal routine to observe what's changing.
As the days get shorter here in the northern hemisphere, often thoughts turn toward preparing for Winter. But Autumn is its own season, not just a preparation.
If we step outside to notice what's happening in our natural world, we might see nuts falling from the trees and berries full to bursting on brambles and canes. Seeds are spilling out of seed pods. The gardens of Nature are giving and giving.
Autumn is a time of plenty. A time to enjoy the feeling of gratitude.
In the language of Astrology, the Autumnal Equinox happens when the Sun enters the sign of Libra. Libra, the sign of harmony and balance, is ruled by Venus, the archetype of love and acceptance. Venus represents the part of us that knows how to let in what we need.
This Equinox, Venus and Neptune, the part of us that is so sensitive to subtleties, are trying to learn to work together. So, this Equinox, no matter what we are up against, we can step outside for a moment and notice... we are being given so much--can we let it in?
Blessed be,
Mary
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Green Apples
In August we carried the old horsehair mattress
To the back porch
And slept with our children in a row.
The wind came up the mountain into the orchard
Telling me something:
Saying something urgent.
I was happy.
The green apples fell on the sloping roof
And rattled down.
The wind was shaking me all night long;
Shaking me in my sleep
Like a definition of love,
Saying, this is the moment,
Here, now.
- Ruth Stone
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For more on Ruth Stone: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruth_Stone
For more information on the Autumnal Equinox:
- First day of Fall on Almanac.com
- The Origins and Practices of Mabon from the Boston Public Library
- Mabon: The Autumn Equinox on LearnReligions.com