15 October 2008

Finally Fall

I've been reading in recent weeks how some folks within the pagan blogosphere have felt the thinning of the veil coming on early this year. And I must say I haven't felt that. The natural world around me has taken its time winding down and I am only now this week feeling the magic that is autumn. Maybe it's the cool, rainy day we've had today but I think it's mostly the four flocks of geese I've heard flying high above me. I love to hear them as they call to each other on their great journey. I always wonder where they originally came from. Was it a hundred miles away or a thousand? How long before their next landfall? Are they tired and sore or happy to feel the urge to migrate?

It's always fascinated me, these signs of autumn. I think I love this time of year more than the spring, and not just because the spring is so much harder on those of us who suffer from allergies. There's a crispness in the air that is unmistakable and speaks of the icy blasts to come. The leaves are falling in droves and starting to transform into their brilliant reds, oranges and yellows. Pumpkins are out in force as are gourds, hay bales, corn stalks and other seasonal produce.

Dragonflies and other migrating insects are flying through the yard, visiting the last of our flowers for fuel. The lightning bugs, or fireflies as some folks call them, are long gone as are the ladybugs. The mating season for the walking sticks has come and gone and most of the stinging insects are gone too. The only bugs left are the flies and the fleas desperate to get indoors before the weather turns truly cold, the damn things.

Our local possum has been coming out earlier every day to fatten up for the winter. The barn cats are all growing their winter coats and I imagine the wild creatures of the woods are gearing up for the cold too. The local humans have been busy as well. The colorful pumpkin lights and garland are hanging with joy. The jello-esque light up pumpkins are glowing with glee as are the kitties who like to beat them up. We are working towards wintertime goals too. We've got wood to cut and windows to winterize. We'll probably bring our plants in this week.

Since the veil between the lands of the living and the lands of the dead is thinning this is the time of year to honor the ancestors. A small prayer with an offering of corn meal, tobacco, incense, herbs, gemstones or whatever is appropriate for you is ideal. Personally, I like to make offerings throughout the Samhain season. A little corn meal here, an apple there, a small rite on the astronomical date of Samhain (which falls on 7 November) and a fervent prayer when the wind howls are my way of honoring the dead.

Ah, the fall. There's nothing like it.

9 comments:

Griffin said...

Ah yes, and this year in the UK it really is a season of mists and mellow fruitfulness as Keats (a Scorpio) once wrote. All Hallows Eve comes and is our Day of the Dead. I will remember my mother at the end of the month and weep... as I turn 45 on November 9th!!

For me, Autumn is the Sleep Season before the Stone Season of Winter (when it's as cold as stone). Yesterday morning, as I put the kettle on, a fox ran past the kitchen window heading for the back garden.

KrisMrsBBradley said...

I bet some of those geese have flown over my house on their way down south!

The fall comes early in NJ, so I've definitely gotten into the mood of the season.

Livia Indica said...

Griffin, I never thought of it that way before but I guess Stone Season is fitting. Very interesting.

Mrs. B. Yep, I bet those geese have flown all over by now.

laoi gaul~williams said...

i love this post so much, what wonderful words.
i have been feeling the coming of autumn for a few weeks here in the new forest and this morning we had our first frost and it smells right...dampness, leaves, soil...so perfect to me! i have felt the approach of samhain coming this past week...last week for me it lasted for over a week with my ancestors close for the first time ever and i feel them nearby now. so i look forward to my solitary time around a small fire hoping they draw closer

Livia Indica said...

Wow, I'm glad you like it. I hope you have a wonderful Samhain.

Moonroot said...

I love the descriptions in this post. So interesting to read of the similarities and differences between your autumn/fall season and ours over here.

And...
Tag - you're it! Details on my blog.

Unknown said...

An Autumn child myself, I enjoyed reading another's thoughts on the mellow season.

Livia Indica said...

Okay Moonroot, I'll check it out.

Thanks Mon, I'm glad you like what I have to say.

Marion said...

Lovely post, Livia. I love the Autumn as well. It comes much earlier here than on the Coast...all our leaves have fallen long ago and we are saying hello to Snow this morning.