|| Autumn by Alphonse Mucha ||
Along with the brilliant Full Moon, today also happens to mark one of the Cross Quarters of the Wheel of the Year. Here in the Northern Hemisphere, we find ourselves at the midpoint between the Summer Solstice and the Autumn Equinox, and as I like to call it, the transition from Late Summer to Early Autumn.
Known by many as Lughnasadh or Lammas (Loaf Mass) this is an opportunity to Celebrate the Harvest of First Fruits and Grains. A time to recognize both our hopes and our fears for the coming season – and open ourselves up to the wisdom that comes from contemplating these seemingly opposing emotions together. Allowing these intense emotions to mingle within creates the possibility to make peace in the present with the unknown future.
Together we enter Early Autumn in a fiery blaze – eyes wide open – ready to behold the vision of the season that comes rushing in.
You know, it’s funny, as a child I was attracted to bright colors like pink and green, then as I became a young woman, I loved the deep and sensual jewel tones of purples and blues. I used to look at the autumn colors of rust and mustard and flaming oranges and thought “yuk! how can anyone be attracted to those colors!”. But interestingly, as I am now entering menopause, I suddenly have no interest in the purples and jewel tones I loved before, and am suddenly drawn to the autumn colors……just as I am entering my autumn years. It’s amazing how human life mimics the cycles of the earth and the vegetation. (although it shouldn’t be surprising as we are part of the cycles of the earth) I’m not sure what colors represent the “winter” years…which I correlate as being from about 70 on…. When I think of winter, I think of silver, white, and the dark browns and wines that represent over-ripened, completed fruits and vegetables. I wonder if I will be attracted to those colors at that time in my life.
I so appreciate you sharing your thoughts, Cindy. When I think of Winter colors, I think of white and silver, dark browns, deep reds, and most especially black. These feel very much like Crone colors to me as well. I find that the many correlations among the stages of life, the seasons of the year, and the phases of our bodies’ cycles offer us a fascinating territory to explore.