Wow. As I write this in just short of two weeks we will be
moving into the Autumn Equinox... or as some people refer to it; “Mabon”. By
the time you read this we will already be there. I wrote last time about the
importance of choosing one herb at a time as we begin opening to the plants. I
would like to incorporate a broader perspective this month which encompasses
all which I choose to call Herbal Living. You might discover as I write these
articles that often the ideas and thoughts flow through me like waves washing
over the rocks at the edge of a shore. There are definitely times where it is
important to focus on the minute details of life and take things from a very
simplistic standpoint, however, waves do come washing in that are much larger
and all encompassing. These are just as important to honor and pay attention
to.
In my life it is paramount for me to adhere to Life Herself and
parallel my movements with the cycles of nature. This might be honoring the
shifting of the moon and rising and setting of the sun each day or it could be
checking in where I am in the turning of the wheel of the seasons. It might
also be in comparing my own evolution to the cycle of life as it naturally
evolves. Often I have to ground myself as my self-will; my ego, attempts to seize the moment of immediate
gratification and pulls me into a whirlwind of activity and perpetual motion.
Life Herself has much to teach us in the way we choose to move
and take our next step forward. One such way is to stop and contemplate at the
turning of the wheel at the Sabbats. To some these are holidays and weekends
off or perhaps just a change in the weather. For some of us, however, these
Sabbats are great moments of time to stop and assess where we are on the wheel;
to celebrate, contemplate and give gratitude. Different Sabbats gift us with
significant checkmarks, similar to an inukshuk placed in the middle of a vast
field. Right now we are entering the time of the Fall Equinox or Mabon.
I found a couple great quotes explaining the essence of this time;
“This is a moment of perfect balance, for day and night are
equal. Mabon is the ritual of rejoicing in the richness of the earth, and the
power of the Sun, without which we could not live. It is the time to give
thanks for their gifts and rejoice in the bounty we have harvested for
ourselves in our work, our relationships, our spiritual journeys. This is also
the time we reflect upon those aspects of our lives that no longer serve our
growth and happiness and we let go of them so we may continue to grow.” (“Witch Crafting” Phyllis Curott )
“....We take the time to give thanks for that which we have
achieved. Like the grain gathered in the harvest and stored for the following
spring, each achievement can be seen as the seed for the coming year’s
activities” (“The Wicca
Handbook” by Sheena Morgan)
In my own life I see this being paralleled in many different
layers. As I grow In my business I give thanks for all the support, love and
insight I have received since its birth in the early spring. I stop and observe the seeds/ the new plants I have sown
and look at how I am nurturing them. I am open to the feedback that I might be
giving them too much water and food, that perhaps I should back off a little
bit and allow them to grow at their natural pace. I remember that how I nurture
my business is a mirror to how I might nurture a new baby, or a little seed
that has emerged into this world. Learning to walk takes time. Growing is a
slow, steady process. New life needs to be nourished, respected and blessed.
For life to evolve abundantly and to its full potential it is imperative we
honor the natural cycle of Life Herself. We have to start off as infants. We
have to be a child before we are an adolescent. We cannot be a crone or wise
one if we never experienced life.
Its September; new courses, new programs, new classes, new,
new, new. Yet in nature's time it is actually the balance between night and
day, the time just before the plants and animals begin to withdraw and go
within. This is the way of our ancestors. It was a time to honor the gifts of
the previous season, to gather the harvest and get ready for the winter months.
Soon after they would retreat into their homes and pray for the warmth to
return.
Unfortunately, (or fortunately) this is not so realistic in
these times in which we live, considering we do have grocery stores and jobs
and such to account for and depend on. It is realistic, however, to tap into
the ways of our ancestors in the small choices we make, in how we choose to
move doing ordinary everyday things. There are many ways we can do this.
As this article’s intention is to share the teachings of the
plants, one thing we can focus on is how you could incorporate the herbs into
your life in such a way that is in tune with the turning of the wheel. Perhaps you can take an inventory of the
equipment/tools in your kitchen that are necessary for creating herbal remedies.
Are there things you need to get rid of (or give away) in order to start
something new? If you have already begun, what will you take forth that is
useful for herbal living as you step into this next season? Your windows will
be closed soon, keeping out the cold of the winter months. Literally, you can
wash away the old stagnant energy and make way for healthy vibrant living.
Unfortunately, I have maximized my space here and cannot share
a list of tools for herbal living or recipes for herbal/ chemical free
cleaners. You could, however, research
on the internet or in books….or…...within the next couple weeks you could read
it on my blog!
For now, I simply invite you to stop and contemplate these
words; to be present for this time of the year, then from that place take the
next little step to become aligned and one with all of Life that evolves within
and around you.
Blessed Be!
Ana Ravenstar
Ana can be reached on
facebook: the hearth of the witch
e-mail: ana@thehearthofthewitch.com
website: thehearthofthewitch.com
Blog can be read at : thesagewomyn.blogspot.ca
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