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Autumn is fast disappearing from these isles, though we still have time to enjoy the crisp autumn days and crunchy leaves in shades of red, auburn and gold. There’s a chill in the air that signals the turning wheel of seasons. Soon, once again, we will be in the throes of winter – cold, damp and bare – though nature’s season of deep rest never quite penetrates the human world these days.
Autumn Foraging
Autumn though… autumn still boasts scattered days of sunlight and hope. Cold skies mean bright stars after all. The clouds streak skies of vermilion with sacred depth that brings a tear to your eye when you witness these profound sunrises and sets.
I never think that I’m a fan of autumn, but when it comes round I catch myself enjoying it. I look forward to the leaves changing with childlike glee, picturing myself kicking piles of colourful leaves and crunching through them underfoot. I enjoy rifling through the hedgerows, nature’s store cupboard, and collecting treasures as a quintessentially English pastime.
England and her nearby countries are a treasure trove at this time of year: conkers, acorns and fruits galore. You can make myriad foods and products from the bounty nature gifts us. Although for ease these days we’re shepherded straight to the neatly packaged products of the supermarket aisles. There’s magic to be found if you’re willing to look a little further and work a little harder to collect blackberries for your crumble, or sloes to make gin. It slows us down, tethering us to our selves and to our ancient roots, and the results of our efforts are all the sweeter for it.
Autumn is a Reminder to Slow Down
This season is a sacred pause to regather and regroup before the colder, barren months ahead. We have a chance now to rest after the active summer months and start new projects. The longer, darker evenings drive us to stay inside and hunker down – candles lit, tea in hand, books and films at the ready.
This is a chance to revisit those plans and dreams you had of starting before the heat and excitement of summer kicked in. If you’re like me, you always feel that you’ll be most efficient in the height of summer, with the longer and lighter evenings sure to inspire a productivity fetish.
I have found that the opposite is true – I want to enjoy the summer. To luxuriate in the shining sun and spend time gathered together with loved ones. I want to go on long, warm walks and not worry about the darkness catching up to me. I want to forget my problems and plans and just exist.
As the seasonal wheel turns to autumn, I remember who it is I aim to be in the future. My old plans come rushing back to me in a flood of guilt and overwhelm. As a creative creature, my mind osten can’t keep up with the myriad of ideas I have on a daily basis. Paying attention to the seasons reminds me that everything happens in its own time, and sometimes we need those seasons of rest and reset – away from work, expectations and the pressures of life – to dream, scheme and concoct. Summer, for me, is my time to run away and forget who society says I should be. I am present, in the moment and living… truly living.
And now I’m back from my frolicking and living in the present, to focus more intently on the future and get to grips with what hasn’t been done and what needs to happen now. I have been laying down the seeds of intention, sowing and planting in earnest to ensure that, in the human sense, this year has not been ‘wasted’. We live so often in the past and in the future simultaneously so that we are overcome with guilt, anxiety and regret over everything and also nothing. After living in the present all summer, returning to this permanently ‘on-edge’ state of past and future can be jarring. Yet there is hope…
Autumn Hiking
You may be tempted to stay indoors more now: the thought of rain lasing at the windows inspires me to be firmly ensconced in my cosy house. With an active mind though, your physical body needs an outlet. Gyms are one solution but there is no denying the bracing power of time spent outdoors.
Now, I’m a lover of the gym (although it took me about a decade to get to that point), but I have also been making a concerted effort to GTFU and GTFO (get-the-eff-up and get-the-eff-out) of these fluorescent, loud human spaces. If I’m not careful I can easily go from my house, to work and my open-plan office, to the supermarket, to the gym and that’s about it. I need space and crave stillness.
Getting up off the sofa and outside is one of the best ways I can take care of myself. Getting in my steps has helped me physically, of course, through the extra movement. It has also helped my mentally to get out of whatever funk or doomscroll rabbit hole I might find myself in. As a prone-to-overthink kind of person, I use my (almost) daily walk to move my thoughts around and flush out any negativity that might have been building up. I return feeling accomplished and much more upbeat about everything. I’m positively glowing (and not just because of my many layers).
Walking out in nature, even just next to a park, has connected me back in rhythm to the natural world too. I have cultivated a very deep sense of connection with my homeland here and I adore having the chance to reconnect with the natural beauty, frequency and space. Science is only now catching up to what us natural human creatures have known innately for centuries, that nature is associated with specific calming and restorative frequencies.
So long, that is, as you’re paying attention and not filling the silence with podcasts and playlists. Listening to music and catching up with your latest episode isn’t a bad thing while you’re going for a walk. Doing that every single time is though. We miss so much when we’re distracted. Why not try letting your mind and eyes wander (and wonder) for a change?
Conversely, creating space to thrive has made me better in so many ways – I am more productive, more patient, more loving and calmer. Getting out of my own thought and connecting with the wider world and the voice of the Universe / Spirit / God / Goddess – whoever or whatever you call your higher power.
This season, I will be getting out as much as possible. I will be immersing myself in the magical landscapes of England and honouring the changing seasons in the best way I know how: by witnessing them myself.
How will you be honouring the season and marking the passage of time this year?
Until next time my
Jenni 👣
P.S. If you’re looking for a way to create space to thrive, check out The Pilgrimage Portal for a digital guide I created on how to set intentions and make the most from your walks.