Flowing With The Change of Seasons
Now past the Autumnal Equinox, we have officially left the season of Summer, moving into Autumn. I am hearing from people who are feeling the shift and preparing again to navigate the shorter day cycles. Perhaps you, too, are feeling the drift.
Here are a few thoughts to help you stay in flow with the change of seasons.
Harvest
Our agricultural DNA reminds us that August through October is a time of gathering of what has been sown and nurtured: Harvest. What have you sown that might be ready to come to fruition? This is a good time to take a look at your projects and see what might need to be done to “wrap things up.”
Where are your longer-term projects in terms of their own cycle? Which of your projects are healthy and thriving, and which ones might be ready to be brought to a fruitful end? It is not a good season to let things just “drift along” just yet. There is still some harvesting to do.
Right action means to know what to do that is in alignment with your purpose and the intention of your projects and to take that action when they come to fruition. Thus, right action is linked to right timing.
The season of Harvest offers a good opportunity to begin thinking about whether or how projects might be brought to a safe and fruitful end, either soon or later. Remember that everything that has a beginning has an end. Right timing means to know where you are in that cycle and to be ready to act when the time is right.
Taking time this month to see where you are in your own Harvest will be very helpful as you move toward the end of the year.
Preparing For Winter
Among the things that people ordinarily forget is that we are not separate from our surroundings, from our environment. As the days grow shorter and nights longer, there is a natural urging toward stillness. Our animal relatives are already preparing for a longer time without resources of both food and energy. The trees and other flora are also drawing their energy deeper within, changing color and dropping leaves.
This month affords an opportunity for you to re-examine some of those projects that are not going anywhere, that may be terminally stalled or their window of opportunity has passed, and to see if it is time to pull back or reserve energy, as well.
You have probably found that some of those projects that used to be exciting and energizing lose their “juice” over time. They just do not feed you in the same way they used to.
What might you do with those? Are they alive enough for you to expend more effort and energy in reigniting them? Or is it time to release them? I suggest that you use your feeling—the sense that you have in your body—to help determine what to do.
When you are energized by something, you feel it in your body as well as in your mind. Your intellect might work on what you might do to re-energize a project (and there always seems to be endless things that you can do or try), however if your body doesn’t feel the boost, then you will likely find it a struggle to continue. Let your body lead the way.
Here’s an idea: Go ahead and imagine what you might do to re-energize the project. Imagine yourself making the tweaks and changes that you believe might help. Is the timing right? Is it something you can put on hold for a while? In your mind, try everything you can think of to make it work or work better. Does your body feel a shift? If so, which option seemed to feel best? If nothing seems to spark your body’s excitement again, the project is probably not worth continuing. What, then, is the best way to end the project, pull back the energy, and let it go?
The invitation this month is to let the flow of the seasons help you bring your projects to fruition and to clear the way for the new energy of Spring just around the corner.
PS: Please check out Gerry’s blog post “On Being Gentle.” Although it’s from 2017, it still offers some good thoughts for trying times.
We will be partnering with The Shamanic Passages Institute to offer two virtual introductory courses especially designed for those new and relatively new to the shamanic journey. Council member Gerry Starnes, M.Ed., author and creator of the Institute, is offering a special 20% discount on two foundational courses. See the blog regarding Journey Courses For Beginners for more information.
The Council will be working to start providing educational online videos for both new and continuing members to learn about our core values and mission. We are also looking to present our leadership team to the community through online videos to express each unique practice, expertise, and shamanic view.
The www.shamaniccommunityaustin.com website also has an educational library under the Resources page. You can find links to books by leading shamanic teachers and leaders.
Keep in touch with the Shamanic Community of Austin Meetup site for all current event listings and to RSVP.
We ask that you RSVP with integrity. A solid head-count before each event helps us better plan and better serve the entire community.
Looking forward to seeing you in circle soon!
Please visit the Shamanic Community of Austin Meetup site for all current event listings and to RSVP.
Please RSVP with integrity. A solid head-count before each event helps us better plan and better serve the entire community.
Looking forward to seeing you in circle soon!
With so much deep love and honor,
The Leadership Team for the Shamanic Community of Austin
SCA offers a combination of in-person and on-line events.
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