Ah Fall. Welcome. The drakes flew through the midatlantic on the last day of September, sweeping up the last vestiges of summer, making space for the sweet, gold, crisp, sad beauty of autumn. Yay!! It's so chilly this morning that I had to close my windows and turn on the heat for the first time here at the chateau. I believe tonight I'll light my first fire in the chateau 'fireplace.'
It won't surprise anyone to learn that I have developed more than a few theories about why the dance of shamanic alignment with this season involves feelings of sweet melancholy. The declining light is a major contributing factor, of course. My guess is that the chill in the air and the earlier sunsets trigger an instinctual emotional reaction. Ya think?
Autumnal daylight is so clear. It inspires, brings into my heart many feelings of awe. Brother Sun shines so delicately in fall. His light is so sweet now, such a pale gold, tinged with blue. (At the end of summer, Brother Sun beats down on us with harsh orange heat and light, producing in me at least such different feelings!)
Getting in touch with awe is a beautiful thing. When I'm in awe - for whatever reason - I feel simple, do you know what I mean? When I'm in awe, the love I feel for family and friends, for this precious existence, is as clear and tangible as the clear blue/gold air. My heart overflows with gratitude on days like today, washing away all the inner dialogues of this and that. I feel quiet inside - simple. Such a delicious feeling.
We'll have some more warm days in DC. It doesn't really cool off completely until November, doesn't actually get what a midwesterner like myself thinks of as cold until Christmas. In the meantime, the leaves will turn slowly (fall lasts for months here in DC), the light will diminish while I will curl up with a book, cook stews and soups, play the bass and purify my heart with the blue-gold light.
Man. I love fall! Oh yeah.
18 comments:
autumn is my favourite time of year - the dance between inside and outside, high and low, warmth and chill resonates on all levels and in all my experiencing. i was on a bike ride through some hills southeast of here last weekend and a woman said she loved this time of year because the trees get to be flowers. i like that very much!!! sweet dc weekend reya! steven
Thanks, Steven. I knew you would get what I was trying to say.
Oh yes, summer is definitely gone by, though like you, we will still have plenty of warm, if not hot days. Chilly here this morning. More sun is coming through the window as the tallow sheds it's leaves and the sun moves across to the north.
My gave season by far. Love to you.
I don't know why I hang onto the melancholy so much instead of the beauty. I can see the beauty with my eye - & I love the pictures I take with my camera - but there's always some sadness mixed in. Not that I like Brother Sun beating down on my head so much. I usually LOVE change - & every other season brings its own excitement (even winter because it's such a challenge). But fall brings melancholy.
I raise my morning mug to sweet melancholy!
Fall is my favorite season as well, and not just because my birthday is smack in the middle of it.
Fall is the most generous season.
Fall is the sweetest season.
Plants tell us these truths so plainly.
Fall hints that what lies beyond is sublime.
Like Steven, autumn is my favorite season.
Yes, bitter-sweet and a little triste (melacholy sounds a bit too heavy for me personally)
I love it love it love
oxo
so come and see NY in the fall.......!
Dan, it IS a generous season. Yes it is. Happy birthday.
Elizabeth you're right - I need to get up for a visit, a walk with the dog, and some New York energy.
Although I'm always sad at the prospect of leaving summer (and trips to the beach) behind, I think that September and October are my two favorite months. The light IS amazing this time of year and the beach is still wonderful.
I love the fall and your description of this season made me smile. I look forward to cool, crisp, sunny days, football on Sundays, fall holidays and of coarse the seasonal food! I am happy to move away from the grilled food of the summer toward the warm comfort food of fall. Ahhhhh! Thanks for reminding me of all the blessing of the season.
Peace!
Welcome fall! This has been a tough week of rain and humidity. I am thrilled that today is cool, cool, cool.
I wanted to tell you that your bass playing and Barbara's teaching has inspired me to start taking piano lessons (again). I start next Saturday. Thanks for the inspiration.
I like what Steven wrote "the trees get to be flowers". Lovely.
Lovely description, and I like being able to see your shadow in the 2nd pic. :)
Yes, melancholy. I love fall, always have, but it also brings that realization that things end, doesn't it? Just yesterday I looked out the window at the slanting light (it was only 3pm!) and thought, wow, it's already declining, this day and this year. That quality of light is unmistakable...
We got walloped with the rain today--not nearly as bad as the east coast, but the two fronts converged over us to dramatic effect inside my barometer-head. :( We're trying to wait as long as possible before we turn on the heat, but we might have to tonight! I hope your chateau is nice and cozy.
a beautiful day today and I believe we are on our way to a new season--there's something new in the air...enjoy!
I love fall too -- definitely my favorite season. On top of all the reasons you mentioned, it's such a physical RELIEF to escape the heat and intensity of summer. (Well, you did say that, actually!) :)
i did not realise how much i missed your writing till i arrived again.simply beautiful it makes my heart feel more present*
here it is spring and brother sun is getting brighter and leaping higher.
Out here in the wilderness Fall is welcomed with open arms. To get up in the morning to cool rather than the oppressive heat is a joy.
The fading light is troubling for a lot of folks. Me? I like it.
Merle I like it, too.
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