Well, autumn is officially here, but at the time of this writing, it seems like winter to me! There's this 'white stuff' in my backyard after 90 minutes of what sounded like the Universe clapping at a deafening level, the heavens gushing water in sheets, and the wind keeping flags fully horizontal! At least for now I hear only the pattering of water dripping out of the gutters.

The full moon this month occurred shortly before the autumnal equinox. I went on a walk that morning and took some beautiful photos.

I'm really getting into the elements now that I am living closer to the land. I've traded in (Phoenix) rows and rows of cookie-cutter houses; poodle-cut bushes; palm trees; water-needy grass lawns (in the desert!); flat, concrete sidewalks; and, a fairly continuous stream of traffic noise for a community (Prescott) where man-made structures are designed to harmonize with nature and use sustainable and ecologically sensible materials; hills; natural vegetation; and, beautiful, rugged, dramatic rock formations. Instead of a feeling of being closed in, my physical space (and inner space) are expansive.

I'm not as expansive socially as I'd like to be and normally would be, and that's a result of the pandemic. But with caution, discernment, and tending to my health, I am slowly making progress in that arena. I am tickled to be reconnecting with some folks from Sedona days, some who live in Prescott—the towns are only about an hour's drive from one another—with whom I am connected through spiritual groups/activities. Hence, I am feeling not so alone in my new home town.

I am so very grateful I got back to living closer to the land where my soul feels more natural and comfortable. Its joy and delight are of Spirit!

Thinking of the pouring rain, the following song by Jose Feliciano came to mind...

Fall is a season for balancing light and dark, letting go, and accepting the impermanence of things.

The autumn equinox marks the arrival of the season of fall, traditionally seen as a period of changes leading to the dark of winter.

What spiritual lessons and practices are suggested by the coming of autumn? Here are three areas for your meditations from Spirituality & Practice.

"Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine."

- Anthony J. D'Angelo

"Climate change is sometimes misunderstood as being about changes in the weather. In reality it is about changes in our very way of life."

- Paul Polman

"A change in the weather is sufficient to recreate the world and ourselves."

- Marcel Proust

For some reason, I've been looking forward to autumn since the beginning of summer. And, it's not because living in Phoenix (which is where I was living at the time) in the summer can be a bit hellish with the heat which doesn't dissipate much even after the sun goes down.

Autumn has often made me feel melancholy, but this year I think I was just really yearning to get back to living in a four-season climate again, synching up with Nature again. And, so here I am, having moved from summer into autumn, and enjoying the beauty of the land. I am excited to see the upcoming changes in Nature living once again in Northern Arizona.

Enjoy the season--take time to start slowing down.

Blessings and cyber hugs,

Joyce S. Kaye, MSW