Toni Stone
401 Buck Hollow Rd.
Fairfax, Vt. 05454
autumn oct. 18, 1998
harvest is happening. we are al grateful. what was growing gained momentum and became a crop, a harvestable result!
what we were spending time on is now wrapping up its circle of expansion, getting ready to go inward, and brown down awhile.
time to get indoors, out of the weather awhile.
the deep freeze, the killing frost is coming…..
gathering in what’s wanted for winter rest, makes autumn a busy time,
people run around to see al the New England beauty before it’s to late.
soon trees will stand like dried wishbones. falling leaves continue to carpet the forest.
it’s happening on sidewalks of the city too. what was up is now down. what grew is getting collected.
seeds sown are now seeds reaped. what you got is what you have.
excess is stored. symbols of harvest are everywhere. darker is happening.
autumn gets us ready for winter, the season of rest.
every time i go around the seasons, i see more of their effect on me.
i am more aware of how to have the seasons manage me better.
i notice deep values of seasonal distinctions. are life skill distinctions, too.
be, do, have, then rest.
autumn marks the beginning of the cycle devoted to turning within,
surrendering to the long awaited harvest. it would be harder
to feel seasons distinctions in California, when weather is mild most days. differences are not clearly noted.
in California, they put spotlights on and plant broccoli at midnight with chemical fertilizers instead of genuine compost,
a rotted product from another time.
killing frost doesn’t force it down in California, it always seems like summer there.
it’s been written that the west coast, doesn’t have deep roots like the east coast.
it’s been said that west coast people are summer like, and easier to get along with than crotchety Midwesterners
or dyed-in-the-wool New Englanders. maybe it’s true….
Autumn seed time is good for reading, writing and teaching what’s been learned.
big changing happens in autumn.
there is intuitive tendency to put in carpets, get quilts, blankets and stock grocery cupboards.
people transition to indoor nurturing modes. baking, cooking, stewing, and stacking up supplies. natural autumn activities. sweeping out and raking down are impulses of autumn. one sees further in autumn when leaves get out of the way.
the Chinese metal element is associated with autumn. they say metal represents what creates structure and communication. metal elements aer expressed in inner workings and activities of mind developing ideas, for writing and speaking.
autumn, is associated with western directions and the color white of the medicine wheel.
characteristic of autumn is the sound or expression of weeping or crying, a good outlet for sorrow or grief.
garlic is the recommended herb for autumn. it is a super-lung-cleaner, used by many cultures in many centuries…. for autumn, you can put huge spoonfuls of chopped garlic in sauces, soups, and casseroles.
garlic is:
stimulant
diuretic
expectorant
antiseptic
disinfectant
germicide
vermicide
it has also become known most recently as an immune system builder too.
