“It was November – the month of crimson sunsets, parting birds, deep, sad hymns of the sea, passionate wind songs in the pines.” – L. M. Montgomery about fall.
Fall has got a certain softness and irresistible appeal – it can compete for the most charming of seasons. To doll up for the season nature changes its attire. The deciduous forests become a scenic, miraculous sight. The trees will become barren eventually, but before that, they sparkle in nuances of golden, yellow, orange, and red. The beautiful, fallen leaves weave a magical carpet, which whispers secrets beneath your shoes.
Jar Altar
You can take a jar and make a small glass altar with the fallen leaves. The best colors for candles are orange, red and brown. Add cinnamon for health and happiness, acorn for abundance and growth and dried apple as an offering of gratitude. Put in soil, to represent the earth element, and citrine to bring light to the darkness.
What can you do in Fall?
Some creative people gather the autumn leaves to press them with paper and make art, or a herbarium. Others just spend their time in the park watching small, merry squirrels playing and looking for nuts and acorns and listening to the calls of the wise owls. You can take a fun challenge or create a fall bucklet list. Decorate your front door, bake something yummy, try a new lipstick color, play autumn jazz, just delight!
Go to the park and enjoy the weather
The City Garden is the most welcoming place in autumn – with the tender sunlight shining among the colorful branches. The lovely soft weather hugs your shoulders like a shawl. There is no sweat, no frost, it’s pleasant and you walk accompanied by your favorite beverage – tea, coffee, or cocoa with caramel, or hot chocolate. Definitely go on a nature walk and take photos of the season.
Delight in the fall beauty
The breathtaking beauty of the season follows you wherever you go. Outside you can wear your favorite scarf and jump in a pile of leaves, you can make a bonfire with a fall potion in a cauldron, and delight in the kind, breezy weather. Inside you can cuddle with your favorite pet under a blanket and rest on the sofa, reading. You can spend your time knitting socks and hats for the winter. It’s the best time to make a pumpkin, or apple pie, or pancakes with maple syrup. Autumn smells of cinnamon and other strong spices, scented candles, and apple cider. It’s also the best time to reflect – witches celebrate their new year on Samhain or Halloween – and it’s a wonderful time to look back at your favorite memories from the year.
Lessons we can learn
Autumn teaches us to enjoy the moment and appreciate the small joys. Like the trees we let go of things that no longer serve us. It’s a season when you can start fresh and appreciate the beauty of change. You have to take extra care for yourself in autumn. Eat warm soups or stews, buy from the farmer’s market. Wear comfy pajamas and bring out the warm blankets. Light candles to honor the element of fire. Enjoy several cups of tea per day. Make everything slow and embrace coziness. Journal about what you want to let go of. You might even want to start a gratitude practice if you haven’t already.
Halloween Tradition
The name Samhain means “end of summer.” From this day we are in the realm of fresh November – time for the witches to ride their broomsticks under the moonlight. The veil between the realities becomes thin and the souls of our ancestors shine through it. You can spend the holiday dancing, praying, and merrymaking, craving for the goodies of autumn. Mother Earth is celebrating in her golden attire, and your heart skips a beat when you think of apple or pumpkin pie. It’s time for the family to gather together and celebrate the harvest next to the fireplace. The hearth brings people together and it is time to be grateful to the gods for your abundance.
Don’t forget the offerings
You should leave a little milk in front of your door for the magical cat Sith from the legends. He is going to come and bless your home. You should pull out a card from the Tarot heap and divine your future. In the kitchen it smells of pumpkins and cinnamon, the earth has weaved a motley carpet of leaves, the yellow and golden rug crisps under our feet and the chimneys puff merrily. Your blessed day starts with a hot beverage. Magical and pure is the world of Halloween, magical and holy is the soul of Samhain.
