November 2005
Autumn's Inner Beauty
Hello friends,
We are well into the height of autumn; the trees are ablaze with color, the air crisp, and the earth resplendent with the rich aroma of fertile soil. Even if you live in a tropical climate, you can feel the sun's dynamic energy retreat, as Mother Nature and her inhabitants prepare for the stillness of winter.
We can learn from the trees this season. Their vibrant leaves are unafraid to retreat from their familiar surroundings and be received by the earth. What has fallen away will not be wasted, yet transmuted and transformed by the earth's interior, to come forth again as new and beautiful life in the spring.
The leaves trust that the earth will nourish them long after they have let go of their branches. What can we let go of at this time? Is there something or even someone that has outgrown its usefulness that you need to let go of? A career that is causing you anguish? A relationship in which you do all the giving and no receiving? A social obligation that no longer serves you? What impressions first came to your mind when you read this question - trust that your body knows the answer.
Oftentimes, we are afraid to let go of a familiar circumstance because we feel we can cope with the misery we know - but what if we get into a worse situation? Perhaps worry, fear and anxiety are some of the depleting energies we can let go of at this time. Contemplate your resources. With every action or activity you do, even the foods you eat, ask yourself - is this nurturing me, or depleting me?
Try this exercise: Go for a walk in the park or your neighborhood, preferably where there are lots of trees and unpaved rather than paved roads. As you walk, fill your senses with all that surrounds you; the smell of the soil, the sounds of the birds or rustling squirrels, the soft feel of the earth. Let your senses fill your entire being while your mind rests. Imagine your feet have roots that sink deep into the earth's core- drawing nourishment from Gaia. If you find yourself thinking about something, anything - a problem or a wish, let that energy go through your roots and let Gaia transmute that energy into vibrant life. Thank Gaia for always supporting you.
The leaves' colors also help ground us. Their beautiful hues of red, orange and yellow are the colors of our lower three chakras respectively - our root, sacral and solar plexus. As you walk in nature, open up your aura to the colors around you and allow each one to cleanse and nourish your energy field. Take in their beauty and celebrate your unique beauty as well.
The earth is yin energy, the dark half of the yin/yang symbol representing mystery, the void, the unknown, also femininity. Yin is the energy of attracting and receiving, rather than doing and acting.
Autumn is a time to nourish your yin. Take time for yourself every day. Perhaps you wish to begin your day with a quiet cup of tea, read from a book, mediate, or draw an oracle card to ask for guidance about the day's coming events. Or just sit and do nothing (one of my personal favorites!). In our culture we are taught that doing "nothing" is unproductive, and often we feel guilty. However even trees have periods of rest where they and allow themselves to synthesize their present sustenance without drawing any more food through their roots.
What feeds your joy and nourishes your spirit? Every day, do something that enriches your life, helps you feel better about yourself. Even the simple act of beginning your day with gratitude is nourishing for the soul. What do you like about your self, your life? When you focus on what you like, the Universe responds in kind, granting you more of what you wish for - so make sure you are focusing on your positive qualities. Take a small amount of time each day towards your ultimate goals. Of course, take time to play as well!
You will find that even as the weather grows harsher, your spirit and body grow stronger, and you will emerge in the spring courageous, content, and beautiful like a rose.
With love,
Kari
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