Autumn has arrived in the Northern hemisphere, and here on the Oregon coast she’s making herself known. The days are getting shorter, leaves are turning colors, fog shows up on the regular, and sea birds are beginning their fall molt.
I’m a big fan of nature’s transition seasons, Spring and Fall. They’re also my favorite topics to use as metaphors.
Spring is a time of new growth, new energy, lots of activity. This is the season to create, a good time to start a new project because you have the energy to see it to fruition.
Fall, on the other hand, is the season of rest, of letting go of what’s no longer needed, of winding down as nature prepares for the coming months. All the life and energy and creation of Spring is because Fall is a time of rest. This is the perfect time to go inward, to let go of the detritus of your life. Journaling is particularly effective during this time of year.
This year it’s been fun to watch the sea birds up close at the aquarium, the puffins and murres and pigeon guillemots, as they transition to their fall/winter plumage. The molt is necessary, and I’ve noticed it has made them quite irritable. There’s a little more fighting, a little more squawking, and a lot less play. And still, the change is inevitable. There’s no stopping it no matter how grumpy they get. This in-between time is also awkward. The color is a mix of old and new and they have feathers sticking out in all directions.
Likewise, if you replace the word “they” with “we” in the above paragraph, you get where the metaphor is going. As the ancient Greek philosopher Heraclitus said, “the only constant is change.” Sure it can make us grouchy, we might yell at those in our flock (even if it’s with our inside voice), and we might not play well with others. And while change can feel awkward, it’s a certainty. So why not go with it.
The plumage of puffins and the others look very different during breeding season versus non-breeding, with good reason. We all know that the bright plumage of spring attracts a potential mate, which is especially crucial since they generally mate for life. Perhaps more importantly, the dullness of their fall/winter plumage offers some camouflage during their long hours out at sea.
So you see, just like the puffin, this is the season of letting go of that which no longer serves you.
How you choose to welcome Fall is up to you. I suggest spending it in quiet introspection, journaling about those things you feel are no longer serving you, connecting with nature and spending quiet time with friends. Fall may indeed be the best time for a retreat, either solo or with a group.
To get things started for you, here are some questions to ponder:
- What action do I need to take in order to honor my own natural Autumn season?
- What am I holding onto that’s no longer necessary?
- What baggage am I still lugging around that’s weighing me down?
- Where am I struggling against the inevitable?
We are a part of nature, so use this time to look around you and discover how others are using this time of transition.
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