Summer’s ending inevitably brings a little sadness with it. There’s a distinctly autumnal turn in the evening and I’m already wistful for long hot Epicurean days. The start of the academic year looms large. But September has its delights too, and while I have a penchant for ritual and ceremony of any kind, I have particularly fond memories of celebrating Harvest festival as a child. The school hall was transformed by a cornucopia of edibles: apples, carrots, potatoes, leeks, tinned soup, packets of biscuits and cakes stacked high on the dais. We wide-eyed children marvelled at the bounty; it’s easy to inspire thankfulness with a plentiful crop. On top of the visual feast we also shared the joy of giving, our ‘harvest’ was hand delivered to the elderly (during school hours – this greatly enhanced our feeling of gratitude).
Harvest is when we reap, celebrate and enjoy what was sown. It’s a time to give thanks for the fruits of our labour – however great or small they have turned out to be. This September, let’s take stock and evaluate where we are this year, explore what’s worked and what hasn’t, and prepare the ground anew. To review the tangible rewards of effort and action, though, is to give only a superficial account of ourselves. So it’s also time to dig a little deeper, to look inward, to where our thoughts, feelings and intentions have been.
Bringing our fullest awareness to our mental and emotional landscape, and to set our intentions with kindness, might be the greatest investment we can make. Our material and outward achievements will always be varied, we will all feel proud and disappointed by turns, but the knowledge that we started – or tried to start – with a generous spirit is a balm that is constant, irrespective of outcome. Everyone experiences emotional challenges and honest reflection on our innermost motivations and reactions can be painful – and revealing. If this harvest, you are struggling to feel thankful for your lot, or feel punished by self-criticism, try turning towards the hurt or regret and embracing it. How can that part of you be nurtured and nourished over the year to come?
The Autumn Equinox brings night and day, light and dark, into balance before the nights lengthen and winter sets in. Let’s take this moment to do what we need to do to bring ourselves back into balance. Let’s gather in and restore, let’s find a sure-footing for winter and sow the seeds for next year’s harvest.
Autumn Equinox 2019 is on 23 September
