Autumnal Equinox 2025

   The Autumnal Equinox is quickly approaching - only a few mere days away. It came quickly because the Late Summer season is so short - spanning somewhere between the beginning of August and towards the end of September. Yet it prepares us to slow down from the action of Summer and embrace the harvest of Autumn/Fall,

   I also hesitated to start the Fall section because yesterday it was 85 degrees farenheit here! Which is pretty much unheard of in late September. And also because the beginning of September was unusually chilly. I can't say cold because the folks who love cold and Winter will be upon me in a flash! But yes it was an unexpected shift - especially when one was looking forward to enjoying the last few days of Summer/Late Summer. I must confess that I was tempted to pop the heat on at night just to take the chill off the house.

   With that it got me to thinking that we might have another cold winter - with that September chill being a harbinger of things to come. And then slowly it became more moderate and then of course yesterday very very warm! 

   Last winter was the coldest Winter we've had in ten years. Of course it was a winter where I had some work so I was bundled up in my heavy coat on top of corporate clothing whereas the previous mild winters I was home by the fire in my wood burning stove. And yes I do remember last October how it suddenly became cold in a flash as though Winter were here.

   I thought about that again - wondering if this October would be like this as well and then came across the Farmers Almanac, which was predicting a white Halloween. We actually had a white Halloween here after Hurricane Sandy hit. And of course we had no power. However had that cold front hit just a few day earlier Sandy would have been pushed out to sea or lessened in strength. Such devastation from such an unusual storm.

   And speaking of hurricanes I hate to jinx it because hurricane season is not over yet - but we have not had a major hurricane this year yet. Alot of very bad smaller storms with lots of flooding and destruction. Watching the patterns on television the storms have been going out to sea and giving us some rain and rip currents on the fringes.

   So it is an unusual season for sure. Good to watch trends and patterns. But also to be prepared for the seasons as they change and be aware of how it can place some stress on our bodies and health. And not only to be mindful but to eat properly and rest when appropriate and to prepare for the Winter season ahead.

   Of course there is a natural slowing down as the light begins to fade in early sunsets and later sunrises. We reflect on what we have done, reflecting, but also taking steps towards the future from what we have learned. Harvesting that which no longer belongs - toxic situations and unfortunate incidents.

   For nutrition we begin to eat foods that produce more heat - such as soups and stews - but healthy soups and stews - being careful not to have chemicals and toxins and salt in our food but cooked fresh with fresh ingredients.  

   It's funny because I automatically start finishing up projects outdoors that need to be done. The final trimming of the bushes out front and pruning back branches that seem to be  growing towards the house too closely and getting last minute things done. As always I am struggling to trim back the ivy to keep it from over taking all the beds but with an emphasis now because soon it will be too cold to be too effective outdoors. And no I am not a wimp - I often hike in the Catskills in November when the temperature is 25 degrees.

   I also find myself stocking up on supplies and over the counter herbs and syrups for any Winter ailments. Also because strangely enough even simply every day items can be hard to come by in the middle of winter.

   So stock up, prepare and reflect. And harvest that which does not belong but cherish the warmth of those around you.

Be well,

Maery