Whew y'all! We made it through another Summer. The recent heatwave was brutal, and I don't know how I would have survived those 100F+ days without our A/C. Seriously, thank God the grid didn't go out!
** Take a deep breath...hold........................release. **
Fall is upon us! Today, I walked to the nearby park to pick up some dinner, and while I was waiting on my order I took off my sandals so my feet could ground into the cool, prickly grass as the bright, warm sun reigned on my face and neck. In that moment, a wave of a breeze flushed over me and signaled Fall is very near. (See pic)
The Autumn/Fall Equinox is on Thursday, September 22nd, so this is a good time to start planning how you'd like to honor the seasonal transition. Below are a few nature-centered ideas inspired by African practices to connect to the grounding energy of Fall.
Craft or create art honoring the Autumn season and nature
Take a picture of beautiful colors of leaves and frame it to put on your wall.
Make a sculpture, knit a garment or paint something that captures the essence of Fall.
Make a candle with your favorite scents for Fall and burn it for aromatherapy.
Fall cleansing - it's time to clean house, literally!
Go through your home to remove, trash or donate items you no longer want or use.
Choose your favorite cleansing dried herb (i.e. sage, wild lavender, tobacco leaf) to smudge your home.
Dust and wash your home from top to bottom, including the nooks & crannies, to cleanse the space of dirt and stagnant energy. (Extra tip: can use Florida water or similar for this step, if part of your spiritual practice)
A clean space promotes light, peace and progress. Smells better too!
Confront your shadow side
Find a safe space outside in nature to sit, or if not possible, create a safe space in your home where you can sit on the floor in quiet and comfort.
Begin taking deep breaths and scan your body for areas of tension or unease.
If any discomfort, tension, or intrusive thoughts arise, take a moment to feel deeper into it and ask yourself:
Where is this feeling coming from?
Is there a source or trigger?
What does this feeling want from you?
Can you breathe into it to release and relax?
As you confront these uneasy or shadowy aspects of yourself, try to find grace, compassion and acceptance within the process.
Consider saying aloud: I'm grateful for the opportunity to explore, acknowledge and release the fill in the blank (energy, sensation or feeling).
Take a Forest Hike
Choose a hike with plenty of trees and brilliant leaf colors to admire nature's beauty during this season.
Get "lost" for a while and listen to what the trees whisper!
All Trails is a great resource to find a good hike.
And if you want to take a deeper dive in supporting your health & wellness this Fall, check our Dr. Ray's online offerings:
The content in this article is for informational purposes only and not intended as medical advice.