Autumn

In agriculture, September and October are months of harvest and preparation for the autumn rains and the winter cold. The last summer vegetables are gathered, while the soil is prepared for the sowing of winter crops.

Three significant practices with esoteric symbolic meaning take place in autumn: grape harvesting, seed harvesting from the summer’s yield, and the preparation of the soil before the sowing of winter seeds.

The grape holds the summer sun within its sweet juices. The warmth of the summer sun accompanies us through the winter in the form of wine; through the fermentation of the must, the sunlight is transmuted into a spiritual essence and preserved within the wine. A similar process occurs within us as we process the experiences and achievements of the summer months. In autumn, we are called upon to sort through them, retaining our finest fruits -those from which we will extract the essence of our own truth. Yet, how close is this truth to the “solar” truth- to the natural, universal truth? Its proximity depends on the quality of the fruit and the purity of the body -that is, the soil.

Autumn is an ideal time for inner cleansing and clearing away the old. Reviewing the past months brings to light what we wish to keep and what we want to leave behind. Every aspect of the self participates in this process of purification. The body benefits from a lighter diet and a brief fast, while the emotions and the mind benefit from energy work and meditation. It is beneficial to maintain -albeit in a more inward form -the relaxation and release experienced during the summer holidays. While summer invited us to be extroverted and seek amusement, autumn calls us toward introspection and psychagogy -the cultivation and nourishment of the soul. This nourishment comes from whatever brings beauty and harmony to the soul, such as philosophy, art, or solitary moments in nature. By adopting this attitude in autumn, we prepare the ground, much like a farmer who clears and tills his field to receive the new winter seeds.

Let’s keep in mind that the body plays a pivotal role in any inner work we undertake. Seasonal fruits and vegetables -such as pumpkins, sweet potatoes, beetroots, carrots, edible weeds, apples, pomegranates, persimmons, pears, and grapes- harmonize the body with the autumn season and enable it to adapt to the changing weather. A warm infusion of one or more herbs, varying each time -such as mountain tea, chamomile, sage, rosemary, ginger, cinnamon, basil, marshmallow, or mallow- has a similar effect on the body.

Note: the above herbal suggestions are not intended to cure any health problem. Although one cup per day is a low and safe dose, it is recommended that you consult your doctor before use. If you are taking medication, avoid taking herbs on your own initiative.