Receiving The Wisdom of The Changing Seasons

As the days get shorter and Summer slowly draws to a close, the change in seasons invites us to pause and reflect on all we’ve received in the past few months. For many of us, Summer zips by like a blur and we get to the end of it unsure of what happened to the past three months. Taking some time to look back and see where you were at the beginning of the summer, and how your life has changed since then, or what experiences you’ve had since then is a beautiful way to honor a season of sunshine and activity. This is also a good time to notice what energies and ways of being have served you well in this past season, but are not well suited for the season ahead. What within you is coming out of its season of ripeness and needs to be cleared and composted? Sometimes when you ask such a question, the things that come up may be things that you have been carrying for a long time - sometimes even for lifetimes. If so, that is perfect. Each change in seasons is simply a reminder that we are ever changing and evolving beings, and provides an opportunity to check in with ourselves and see what we are carrying that it is time to set down so something more aligned has room to take root.

Our ancestors knew this and recognized the changing seasons as an external representation of the cycles of change we are each constantly undergoing. They honored these changes in season with ritual, ceremony, and celebration. They did not just rip though to the next season without a thought about the transition, but took time to pause and come together in community to celebrate the sacredness of the change that is naturally a part of life. This connection to, and celebration of, the natural cycles of the Earth was a reminder that we are cyclical beings, and that experiencing cycles in other parts of life is completely normal and to be expected. In fact, an absence of changes and cycles would indicate that something was out of balance and not operating according to the natural laws of life on this planet. If we compare that to how we've collectively been programmed in Western society, to always be on, always be producing, always be achieving, we may begin to wonder if there is something driving this activity that is indeed disconnected from the natural flow of life force energy. 

The only way any other organism on this planet would behave in this way - chronically hyperactive and chasing stimulation - is if they were seriously ill with a virus or disease that was driving them to act out of alignment with their natural way of behaving. When cells exhibit this kind of behavior within the body, they become cancerous. So why do we believe that this always "on," need to be similarly productive every day behavior is beneficial? We must ask ourselves where this belief came from and whether it is truly serving our highest good. Then we must decide whether it is an energy pattern we want to carry with us into this next season of life. For me, I know that this pattern is something I'm being asked to relinquish. It has not been easy though. One would think that doing less is easy, but for many of us it is the hardest thing of all. How do you do less when it seems there's more and more that must be done just to stay afloat?  The truth is, I'm not sure. But, I'm doing my best to follow the example of my greatest teachers, the trees, this Fall, and allow things to drop away one by one, just as the trees drop their leaves.

Regardless of where you are in your life, or what transitions you're being asked to navigate, there is always support to be found by looking to the natural world. Whatever you're moving through, allow the change of the seasons to teach you how to transition with ease and beauty. And above all else, remember that this is normal. We are not meant to be in full bloom all the time. It is simply not the way of this world. We are not here to "hack" or "overcome" this aspect of life, but rather to learn to flow with it. When you begin taking that approach, these cycles become super powers rather than limitations. They add depth and beauty to our lived experience in the same way the seasons of the year do, and they remind us why we came to have this experience in the first place.

If you are going through an especially deep transition this season, and would like to be held and witnessed in community, join us for our Fall Equinox retreat. We'll be gathering September 19-21 in sacred ceremony. The medicines of Huachuma and Bufo will be assisting us on our journey, and as always we'll be focusing on reconnecting with the wisdom of our bodies and releasing holding/trauma patterns in the body that have been keeping us reliving the same cycles over and over. You can reach out to treeoflifesacredtemple@gmail.com to learn more.

Sending you lots of love for the month ahead,

Emeline